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Choose to go onto waiting list or not...?

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Which option?

So I got an offer from one of my choices. Unfortunately the programme (mathematics primary) I subscribed to is full up so they offered me a place on their general primary route.

They can't tell me how many people are on the mathematics waiting list so essentially it's one massive gamble on a course that has a maximum of 17~ places.

The logical side of me thinks that the odds are pretty low and that I'd just probably end up waiting till September 2015 if I choose that option. However, I did quite like the idea of a specialism.

I guess I'm writing here to just get some opinions on if I'd be making the right choice or not. At the end of the day, I'm more concerned about getting into teaching straight away as I imagine I'd be able to specialise later on if I really wanted to? (No idea if this is true or not)
Original post by Tombola
So I got an offer from one of my choices. Unfortunately the programme (mathematics primary) I subscribed to is full up so they offered me a place on their general primary route.

They can't tell me how many people are on the mathematics waiting list so essentially it's one massive gamble on a course that has a maximum of 17~ places.

The logical side of me thinks that the odds are pretty low and that I'd just probably end up waiting till September 2015 if I choose that option. However, I did quite like the idea of a specialism.

I guess I'm writing here to just get some opinions on if I'd be making the right choice or not. At the end of the day, I'm more concerned about getting into teaching straight away as I imagine I'd be able to specialise later on if I really wanted to? (No idea if this is true or not)


You can specialise when you start teaching fully, go for the general primary route.
Reply 2
Do you mind me asking which Uni? I'm due to start the Primary Maths Specialist PGCE at Edge Hill in September :smile:

As for your situation, I think I'd be tempted to accept the general primary route. You might get a bigger bursary on the Maths route, and it might be a clearer way for you to get a Maths Co-ordinator style role in the long term, but I think the risk of you not getting on is too much to ignore, especially if you're keen to get on with training soon (as am I!). And I imagine there'll be plenty of opportunity for specialising in the future anyway :smile:
Reply 3
Original post by SirDS
Do you mind me asking which Uni? I'm due to start the Primary Maths Specialist PGCE at Edge Hill in September :smile:

As for your situation, I think I'd be tempted to accept the general primary route. You might get a bigger bursary on the Maths route, and it might be a clearer way for you to get a Maths Co-ordinator style role in the long term, but I think the risk of you not getting on is too much to ignore, especially if you're keen to get on with training soon (as am I!). And I imagine there'll be plenty of opportunity for specialising in the future anyway :smile:


Yeah this is definitely true. Well, I've settled on my decision to go down the general primary route as it is a lot safer than gambling on the idea that someone might reject their offer/drop out before September. The offer is from institute of education.

Congratulations on your mathematics course. I know exactly what you mean about wanting to start already. :smile:
(edited 9 years ago)
Original post by Tombola
Yeah this is definitely true. Well, I've settled on my decision to go down the general primary route as it is a lot safer than gambling on the idea that someone might reject their offer/drop out before September. The offer is from institute of education.

Congratulations on your mathematics course. I know exactly what you mean about wanting to start already. :smile:


Get some rest and relaxation before you start your training. They don't say it's the hardest year of your life for no reason. Coming from a current trainee :wink:
Reply 5
Definitely go for General Primary. After a week in your first job no one will ask what your specialism was and you can specialize once you are trained. Teachers end up coordinating all sorts of subjects despite not having specialist training.

Can you not stay on the waiting list though and drop out of the general One if a place becomes available?
Reply 6
Do PGCE routes tend to have a high drop out with people who just can't handle the pressure or for personal reasons or whatever? There is a good bet that if you are in the uni on the general course you can switch to the maths. There might even be a drop out before the start of the course. How many are on their waiting list and are you on the top of it?
Reply 7
Original post by SirDS
Do you mind me asking which Uni? I'm due to start the Primary Maths Specialist PGCE at Edge Hill in September :smile:

As for your situation, I think I'd be tempted to accept the general primary route. You might get a bigger bursary on the Maths route, and it might be a clearer way for you to get a Maths Co-ordinator style role in the long term, but I think the risk of you not getting on is too much to ignore, especially if you're keen to get on with training soon (as am I!). And I imagine there'll be plenty of opportunity for specialising in the future anyway :smile:


I'm applying for the primary maths PGCE at Edge Hill for 2016 entry. I'm undecided between the PGCE Primary Maths with QTS and the PGCE PRimary Maths Specialism with QTS. What level maths do you need for the maths specialism course?

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