[gadgetgirl79]

(Original post by funkymunkey89)
I am in exactly the same boat.
I decided when I was 14 I wanted to be a primary teacher but have had bad luck ever since-
I chose to do A Levels and didnt get in the collage I wanted as there wasnt enough places so I had to go elsewhere and do an AVCE in Health and Social care- which was ok as this would still take me to uni.
I then applied for the 4 year primary teaching degree to lots of uni's through Ucas which were all away from home and then for family reasons I could'nt leave so I stayed at home and got into a local uni through clearing doing education studies and english (didnt wanna do english part but was a joint honors and nothing much else i would have been any good at!). I then failed my entire degree on one exam for english which i was given the oportunity to retake during the summer which I did and I gained a 2:2 degree but missed out on my graduation!
I took 2 years out to work in kids club in spain and a pre-school nursery both of which I was given a supervisor/managers position and have applied for a pgce 2 years in a row and got to interview stage but no further and then this year applied for GTP and didnt even get an interview!!
I am currently working as a TA and doing before and after school club, I have worked in a pre school nursery, i have done after school classes called playing for success through a football club, I have done rainbows and brownies and numerous school placements and I want it more than anything but it seems like its never going to happen.
I am finding myself getting so jealous of people around me who are successful as im now 25 and theres girls i know 2/3years younger that have got actual teaching jobs now and I just cant see what Im doing wrong!!
I just keep being told how competitive it is out there and its getting worse but Im not going to give up just keep trying but it really is so disheartening and hard

Have you thought about going down a different career route, then going back to teaching in say 5 years time, when you have some life experience in a different walk of life?

Did you get feedback from those that rejected your application after interview?

[rachelsays]

(Original post by funkymunkey89)
I am in exactly the same boat.
I decided when I was 14 I wanted to be a primary teacher but have had bad luck ever since-
I chose to do A Levels and didnt get in the collage I wanted as there wasnt enough places so I had to go elsewhere and do an AVCE in Health and Social care- which was ok as this would still take me to uni.
I then applied for the 4 year primary teaching degree to lots of uni's through Ucas which were all away from home and then for family reasons I could'nt leave so I stayed at home and got into a local uni through clearing doing education studies and english (didnt wanna do english part but was a joint honors and nothing much else i would have been any good at!). I then failed my entire degree on one exam for english which i was given the oportunity to retake during the summer which I did and I gained a 2:2 degree but missed out on my graduation!
I took 2 years out to work in kids club in spain and a pre-school nursery both of which I was given a supervisor/managers position and have applied for a pgce 2 years in a row and got to interview stage but no further and then this year applied for GTP and didnt even get an interview!!
I am currently working as a TA and doing before and after school club, I have worked in a pre school nursery, i have done after school classes called playing for success through a football club, I have done rainbows and brownies and numerous school placements and I want it more than anything but it seems like its never going to happen.
I am finding myself getting so jealous of people around me who are successful as im now 25 and theres girls i know 2/3years younger that have got actual teaching jobs now and I just cant see what Im doing wrong!!
I just keep being told how competitive it is out there and its getting worse but Im not going to give up just keep trying but it really is so disheartening and hard

FunkeyMunkey, I'm sorry to hear about your disappointment.

You have so much experience with children and have the right qualifications (though a 2:1 is preferred, but this doesn't seem to have stopped you getting to interview), so I can only think that your performance at interview is letting you down.

Have you asked for feedback from your unsuccessful PGCE interviews? This would help you to understand where you are falling down and what you could improve upon for next time. Keep an eye out for the clearing programme on GTTR as there could still be opportunities for you to start in September if you're willing to move to a university that has places - there will be some somewhere, I'm sure, though maybe not in your immediate area.

Also, if you are currently a TA, have you asked your school whether they will sponsor you for your GTP? Having a sponsoring school already set up will make it much easier for you to get onto a GTP course, though I have only got experience of secondary GTP so I'm not sure if the Primary GTP application process is the same.

If this is your passion, don't give up. I know it's frustrating, but many people don't get onto a teaching course first time, or even second time. You have excellent experience and a dedication to the profession so you already have a lot in your favour. You can do this - exhaust every avenue and keep pushing until you get there.

[k8_taylor85]

(Original post by AgentJ87)
Hi everyone

Just wanted to talk to people in the same boat as me . I found out yesterday that I was unsuccessful in my interview for the PGCE primary at UWIC/cardiff met and i'm heartbroken! I know competition is tough and I was aware that my chances were low and thought I was well prepared for a knockback, but reading that 'unsuccessful' on gttr is just devastating! Ive wanted to teach since I was 16 and all of my work/uni decisions have been based on that! I have been working in a primary school as a teaching assistant for three years working in both foundation Phase and KS2 and I am SO ready to take the next step! I have tons of experience and ive learned so much about school life and how classrooms work. I put so much time and effort into my application/ interview!
I will be reapplying next year and will be looking into the GTP route aswell but owch! It just hurts hopefully I will feel better soon. I keep thinking that im nearly 25 now, if this keeps happening I could be reeeeally old by the time I secure a place?! This is so important to me and I feel like somehow ive been rejected as a person I'm so unhappy right now. Is anyone else feeling as gloomy as me?

Sorry for my rant, I know time will give me more perspective and I will feel better but still

Agent J

I just found I have been unsuccessful, I know i did a great presentation, I prepared well for the interview, I am thinking it must have been my maths/spelling test that let me down. I am so devestated, feel like I am back at square one.

[Samus2]

(Original post by rachelsays)
You're welcome!

Teaching experience can be informal, so in a voluntary setting (such as tutoring, running a youth group, etc) or as a TA employed in a school, or teaching seminars at university, etc.


There are no scholarships for the PGCE - for certain subjects you get a bursary, but unless you're applying to teach shortage subjects such as Physics, Chemistry or Maths, your bursary won't even cover half of your fees, let alone your living costs!

If you're PhD material, I'd apply for the GTP and see what happens. I have no teaching experience and I've applied for the GTP and had interviews (still waiting to hear for definite!) - though I have been working for 5 years, manage people, and have loads of voluntary youth work experience. You don't HAVE to have been a TA to apply for the GTP.

I thought you get funding for it through SLC? You'll have to pay it back obviously, but I thought you would qualify for a loan

[francophilia]

I'm glad that I have found this thread. I'm in the same boat having just been rejected for a PGCE MFL from Goldsmiths and, prior to that, the IOE. I'm still waiting for feedback from my interview at Goldsmiths, which I would be interested to read as I thought the interview went rather well! Better than my interview at the IOE, from which I was rightfully rejected (I was far, far too nervous and blanked during my interview.)

I'm also at a disadvantage as I only have a D in GCSE Maths so that will be the first thing I sort out for next year! I might also look at developing my second language by teaching abroad for a few months. I would love to gain some more school experience but it seems that TA posts in Secondary schools are few and far between in my region. I applied for a few last year and approached several agencies but didn't even get an interview!

[myrtille]

(Original post by francophilia)
I'm glad that I have found this thread. I'm in the same boat having just been rejected for a PGCE MFL from Goldsmiths and, prior to that, the IOE. I'm still waiting for feedback from my interview at Goldsmiths, which I would be interested to read as I thought the interview went rather well! Better than my interview at the IOE, from which I was rightfully rejected (I was far, far too nervous and blanked during my interview.)

I'm also at a disadvantage as I only have a D in GCSE Maths so that will be the first thing I sort out for next year! I might also look at developing my second language by teaching abroad for a few months. I would love to gain some more school experience but it seems that TA posts in Secondary schools are few and far between in my region. I applied for a few last year and approached several agencies but didn't even get an interview!

Hi Francophilia,

Due to the shortage of language teachers, you might find you'd get a fair bit of work as a Cover Supervisor, verging on Unqualified Teacher, provided you're confident and prepared to just walk into a school and deal with whatever you're faced with.

I'm starting my MFL PGCE in September, and I know it was my experience as an unqualified teacher of MFL that helped me get the place.

I've been doing agency work since October, and started out in a totally unrelated area as a Food Technology Technician for a term.

Then in January and February, work was really quiet. I did a bit of exams invigilation, and some TA work in a Pupil Referral Unit. I think I did 2 or 3 days as a Cover Supervisor in this time, but that was all.

After February half-term, I went to a school to cover 1 day for a supply French teacher who had just started a long-term post there and had called in sick. When the HoD realised I spoke French, he set work that involved me teaching French and even improvising my own scripts for listening exercises! The supply teacher never came back, and I was there for 5.5 weeks altogether!

This role ended at Easter, but compared to Jan/Feb, my work really picked up. I assume that the agency sent me to jobs they wouldn't have considered before, because I now had experience. For the first couple of weeks after Easter, I got 3 or 4 days' work per week, but it was all over the place in different subjects.

Then on 2nd May I went to cover for another French teacher, in a KS3-only school. Initially it was for a couple of days, but then it became a week, and then they got a sick note until half-term. After half term, they resigned from their job and the school decided to keep me on until the end of the year. So by Friday, when the term ends, I'll have done 9.5 weeks of full-time teaching there, and for the past 6 or 7 weeks this has included planning all my lessons (with assistance from colleagues) and marking books and assignments.

I appreciate that I've been very lucky - I seem to have been in the right place at the right time to end up with these long-term posts. But teachers have told me that it's very difficult to get a good long-term Supply Teacher for languages and that this is why they've gone for an unqualified French graduate instead (plus I'm cheaper...).

Agency work isn't reliable, but it seems to me that the more experience you get, the more work you get. And with languages, you will be in greater demand.

I know this post has been really long, but I wanted to show you the full picture, not just the last few months which have been great, but also the bits which were really hard.

Agency work isn't reliable, but it is another option you could consider, depending on how successful you are in finding other work for this year. Underemployment isn't great, but it still beats unemployment...

[francophilia]

(Original post by Keziah)
Hi Francophilia,

Due to the shortage of language teachers, you might find you'd get a fair bit of work as a Cover Supervisor, verging on Unqualified Teacher, provided you're confident and prepared to just walk into a school and deal with whatever you're faced with.

I'm starting my MFL PGCE in September, and I know it was my experience as an unqualified teacher of MFL that helped me get the place.

I've been doing agency work since October, and started out in a totally unrelated area as a Food Technology Technician for a term.

Then in January and February, work was really quiet. I did a bit of exams invigilation, and some TA work in a Pupil Referral Unit. I think I did 2 or 3 days as a Cover Supervisor in this time, but that was all.

After February half-term, I went to a school to cover 1 day for a supply French teacher who had just started a long-term post there and had called in sick. When the HoD realised I spoke French, he set work that involved me teaching French and even improvising my own scripts for listening exercises! The supply teacher never came back, and I was there for 5.5 weeks altogether!

This role ended at Easter, but compared to Jan/Feb, my work really picked up. I assume that the agency sent me to jobs they wouldn't have considered before, because I now had experience. For the first couple of weeks after Easter, I got 3 or 4 days' work per week, but it was all over the place in different subjects.

Then on 2nd May I went to cover for another French teacher, in a KS3-only school. Initially it was for a couple of days, but then it became a week, and then they got a sick note until half-term. After half term, they resigned from their job and the school decided to keep me on until the end of the year. So by Friday, when the term ends, I'll have done 9.5 weeks of full-time teaching there, and for the past 6 or 7 weeks this has included planning all my lessons (with assistance from colleagues) and marking books and assignments.

I appreciate that I've been very lucky - I seem to have been in the right place at the right time to end up with these long-term posts. But teachers have told me that it's very difficult to get a good long-term Supply Teacher for languages and that this is why they've gone for an unqualified French graduate instead (plus I'm cheaper...).

Agency work isn't reliable, but it seems to me that the more experience you get, the more work you get. And with languages, you will be in greater demand.

I know this post has been really long, but I wanted to show you the full picture, not just the last few months which have been great, but also the bits which were really hard.

Agency work isn't reliable, but it is another option you could consider, depending on how successful you are in finding other work for this year. Underemployment isn't great, but it still beats unemployment...

Thank you very much for your post! I think I will definitely look into Cover Supervisor and Teaching Assistant roles again this year. I found a FT job in an unrelated field last year so I gave up looking fairly early on. My other option is TEFL abroad although work experience in a UK school would definitely be more advantageous.

[ponpon14]

(Original post by francophilia)
Thank you very much for your post! I think I will definitely look into Cover Supervisor and Teaching Assistant roles again this year. I found a FT job in an unrelated field last year so I gave up looking fairly early on. My other option is TEFL abroad although work experience in a UK school would definitely be more advantageous.

I got on my pgce at CCCU with on and off voluntary work in primary KS1 and KS2 over summer holidays (university ones obviously!) and also by having observed KS3,4,5 lessons in the subject i wanted to teach and also assisted a teacher in secondary school (not the subject i wanted to teach at all!) by teaching a group of 10 students once a week for ten weeks. So i didnt have MUCH in comparison to the people whove been working unqualified. But i still got the job.

The person who interviewed me (he had just watched me teach for 5 minutes and had talked informally about busses/trains before that) had decided that he wanted me around 5 minutes into my personal interview because i cam across as VERY passionate and confident. I think that is the key! Not having a TONNE of experience, but having observed so you know its right for you AND coming across as passionate and very confident!

There are still places floating around - so you could try at another univerity? We were told at the beginning of the interview day that they are not looking for teachers yet and often turn down teaching assistants because of this link. BUT they are looking for people they think have the potential to teach. It is their job to turn you into a teacher!

I really hope you get a place soon! You come across as dedicated on these forums - try and show this in real life! You will go very far!

[myrtille]

(Original post by ponpon14)
I got on my pgce at CCCU with on and off voluntary work in primary KS1 and KS2 over summer holidays (university ones obviously!) and also by having observed KS3,4,5 lessons in the subject i wanted to teach and also assisted a teacher in secondary school (not the subject i wanted to teach at all!) by teaching a group of 10 students once a week for ten weeks. So i didnt have MUCH in comparison to the people whove been working unqualified. But i still got the job.

The person who interviewed me (he had just watched me teach for 5 minutes and had talked informally about busses/trains before that) had decided that he wanted me around 5 minutes into my personal interview because i cam across as VERY passionate and confident. I think that is the key! Not having a TONNE of experience, but having observed so you know its right for you AND coming across as passionate and very confident!

There are still places floating around - so you could try at another univerity? We were told at the beginning of the interview day that they are not looking for teachers yet and often turn down teaching assistants because of this link. BUT they are looking for people they think have the potential to teach. It is their job to turn you into a teacher!

I really hope you get a place soon! You come across as dedicated on these forums - try and show this in real life! You will go very far!

I totally agree.

Even though I did have a lot of experience, I don't think it was that (in itself) that got me my place.

Having the experience helped me to feel comfortable and confident in the interview, because I no longer felt like the questions were trying to catch me out and was able to just say what I really felt, based on my experiences.

But the most important thing was definitely how I came across, not how much experience I had. The main comment that the interviewers made was that I kept smiling!

[jenren22]

That is incredible. I'm very surprised you didn't get on. The feedback to me suggests that they were maybe looking for a particular focus. I'm really not sure what that would be and I can't remember what I rambled on about in my interview (in fact I'm not sure they even asked).

I've just finished my PGCE and I'm lucky I got on with very little experience, so it angers me really that you didn't considering your experience. I really question what they look for in interview to be honest. My interview was intense but not as intense as some other stories I've heard. Fact is, what they wanted, I had, and unfortunately this seems to vary between universities.

I don't think there's much you can do except to keep trying. You're in a very good position being a TA because you're working directly with children, you're getting paid, and you're always mingling with teachers which will give you a great insight and a lot of experience and knowledge when it comes to preparing yourself for the course. Of course you already know and have this, but the more the merrier I say.

Can I ask what your degree is in? I've heard this is often a reason why people get rejected as well. Think about how every corner of your employment/education history will contribute to making you a great teacher - interviewers seem to like this. It also makes you unique; it's easy for everyone to say they've learned alot about good teaching and learning by being in school, but anything else you've done that you can relate also helps to make you stand out.

I know this probably won't help you but I do understand your rejection in some way. Although I've done my PGCE, I've struggled to find jobs and have had a few rejections so far with not really much feedback to work on. It is frustrating to be rejected but it sounds like you're doing as much as you can so just keep going and you WILL get there eventually. I am telling myself this every day also.

Good luck for next year and keep your chin up.

[francophilia]

(Original post by ponpon14)
I got on my pgce at CCCU with on and off voluntary work in primary KS1 and KS2 over summer holidays (university ones obviously!) and also by having observed KS3,4,5 lessons in the subject i wanted to teach and also assisted a teacher in secondary school (not the subject i wanted to teach at all!) by teaching a group of 10 students once a week for ten weeks. So i didnt have MUCH in comparison to the people whove been working unqualified. But i still got the job.

The person who interviewed me (he had just watched me teach for 5 minutes and had talked informally about busses/trains before that) had decided that he wanted me around 5 minutes into my personal interview because i cam across as VERY passionate and confident. I think that is the key! Not having a TONNE of experience, but having observed so you know its right for you AND coming across as passionate and very confident!

There are still places floating around - so you could try at another univerity? We were told at the beginning of the interview day that they are not looking for teachers yet and often turn down teaching assistants because of this link. BUT they are looking for people they think have the potential to teach. It is their job to turn you into a teacher!

I really hope you get a place soon! You come across as dedicated on these forums - try and show this in real life! You will go very far!

That's very kind. I hope so too

I could but I've come around to the idea of taking a year out now. I think it will be useful. I can build up some more experience, improve my language skills (they've become a little rusty since I graduated) and finally sort that GCSE out!

I've also completely changed my mind about where I would like to study. Last time I only applied for universities in London but now I think I'd rather move closer to where my parents live in Wales and apply to places around Bristol, Cardiff and Swansea.

Confidence really is key and looking back at my last interviews that is one area that I was lacking. I just got so nervous. I'm gonna prep my heart out next time!

[AndyH100]

I have tried for 3 years to get on a PGCE and GTP but because I am now over 40 and it's History, there is NO CHANCE...is anyone else having this problem. University of Reading called me for an interview and when I got there would not interview me for it, rattling on about my age, chsoing their words carefully. They then interview me for a GTP b ut were really suprised when I got a school place to do it...and the university rejected me instantly. This year I have given up. No more applications. Inst of Education gave me feedback 'to observe more lessons' yet I have three years experience as a cover supervisor. This whole industry sucks and the sooner training is brought into schools and taken off the universities, the better.

(Original post by Sugar_Puff_Fairy)
Sorry to hear about your bad luck. Have you requested feedback from the uni? With all that experience I am surprised you were unsuccessful.
Feedback may help you make your next decisions.

I applied for PGCE two years ago and was unsuccessful without interviews. Since then I have worked as a TA too and realised I wanted to teach Primary rather than History (original choice), which I now have a place for. So for me, it was a blessing that I was able to gain experience and choose the right career for me.

I wish you lots of luck. 25 isn't too old to go into it - my mother was 30 when she qualified. It's disheartening and frustrating but you'll get there. Have a look at GTP courses definitely and also remember Clearing later in the year.

[StarBabyCat]

(Original post by AndyH100)
I have tried for 3 years to get on a PGCE and GTP but because I am now over 40 and it's History, there is NO CHANCE...is anyone else having this problem. University of Reading called me for an interview and when I got there would not interview me for it, rattling on about my age, chsoing their words carefully. They then interview me for a GTP b ut were really suprised when I got a school place to do it...and the university rejected me instantly. This year I have given up. No more applications. Inst of Education gave me feedback 'to observe more lessons' yet I have three years experience as a cover supervisor. This whole industry sucks and the sooner training is brought into schools and taken off the universities, the better.

I do really disagree with your post, for a number of reasons.

Firstly your issue with age- fact is there are people on my course (that is indeed history) that are older than you. So you shouldn't give up because of that, it shouldn't be a barrier at all.

Secondly you say that you have 3 years cover supervisor experience. I too was a cover supervisor and it was a great learning curve, BUT its not the same as observing a working classroom. You need to observe and reflect upon the teaching/learning of students ect. Thats why you were told to observe more.

And finally your dislike of the PGCE route; I truly believe that without the pedagogy/ theory etc you would be at such a disadvantage as a teacher. I've learnt SO much already, its been such an eye-opener. That, and (as I've said before on here about School Direct) if you train in a department that isn't great, you could pick up inadequate practice and you wouldn't even know you're doing it. Thats my 'beef' with that route!

I was unsucessful 3 times before I was accepted, so don't give up if its what you really want to do :-)

[shirleyj]

I'd also say 'don't give up' as I am older than most of you on here at 42..

I've just finished my degree last month (BA Hons Childhood and Youth), applied to do my Primary PGCE at Canterbury CC for Jan 2013 and was accepted.. I thought it was the fact that I have a lot of business experience, plus teaching English abroad and then working as a TA in a secondary school for the last year. I also done loads of voluntary work in primary schools (Chair of PTA and School Governor) at the same time.

The actual presentation part of the interview was v nerve racking and I hated it! The interview part was great - as a previous person said, it was really like having a conversation with a colleague about my thoughts on the industry, I made sure I mentioned current education topics etc. but the interview at Canterbury was very informal.

Reading this post has made me feel more fortunate to have gotten a place. CCC seems to be a good teaching Uni too, so fingers x'd. I'd say to everyone to just keep applying, perhaps at different Uni's who may have different criteria, and to always ask for honest feedback. Not sure how honest they actually are, but always worth asking for..

Good luck to everyone...

[alishaaaliyah]

(Original post by mattmilton)
This is the 2nd year I've applied (in London, secondary English PGCE), having failed to get on a PGCE last year. Had 2 interviews last year (Goldsmiths and London Met).

So far I've had 2 interviews this year (Goldsmiths again and King's). Rejected. This Friday I've got another one, at London Metropolitan. That'll in all likelihood be my last: there's clearing but clearing doesn't really exist for Secondary English PGCEs in the London area (it's too competitive: all the places get filled).

So this'll probably be my last shot. I'd like to be a teacher, but I can't afford (literally) to become a TA on the off-chance that it gets me onto a teacher-training course in a year's time. (And I've met enough TAs at PGCE interviews to know it's nothing like a guarantee.)

My conclusions? If you really, really want to teach, then be prepared to travel for your course. Deliberately pick an undersubscribed course at a campus university - not in a big city. That'll quadruple your chances straight off. To the OP: do you have to study in Cardiff?

sorry to hear that but don't give up. What was your kings pgce interview like if you don't mind me asking

[AgentJ87]

Hey guys, i applied again this year and had my interview yesterday. I felt like my group task and the presentation went well and before they asked me questions the one interviewer said how good my reference from school was, which is positive. I felt i started answering the questions well but towards the end i really felt like i messed it up :-( i came out feeling awful, i went home and cried :-(. Last year i thought my interview went ok and i failed to get on so im pretty sure i will be unsucessful after yesterdays performance :-(. Feeling gloomy *sigh*

[AgentJ87]

I got in!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! !!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[lowe28]

(Original post by AgentJ87)
I got in!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! !!!!!!!!!!!!!!

ah congratulations! Where are you going?

Posted from TSR Mobile

[AgentJ87]

Thanks! Cardiff Met Primary :-) SO HAPPY!!!!!!

[laurengillsy]

I was rejected yesterday and have been rejected for teach first. Iv done camp America twice, ran a primary school volunteering project, volunteered in schools for three years, training to be a netball coach, swimming teacher and worked with disabilities. I literally feel so upset what more can I possibly do to get someone to believe in me. I just don't know what to do. My second choice is full also.