failed to get on pgce course

I've been rejected from all four of my choices; 2 SCITTs and 2 PGCEs, despite having worked as a TA and a teacher in 3 countries my entire working life (6 years so far). My degree is in TEFL and MFL and my most recent rejection was because "you lack experience in the classroom", meanwhile, my classmate from Uni who has spent a total of 1 day in the classroom got in because he speaks Spanish...I feel rather upset because all I have ever wanted is to teach, and now I'm a bit stuck, whilst someone who only decided a couple of weeks ago to apply as "something to do", gets a place, because he speaks another language. Why couldn't they just say that I didn't offer what they want, rather than telling me on the phone that the last 6 years of my life are somewhat irrelevant to a career in teaching.

Jeez! Having read about some of the other ppl who didn't get on my rejection doesn't seem so chronic! :-)

Are u lot applying again this year? I want to apply again but not sure about Edge Hil, after their diabolical feedback and farcical interview, but places are so limited in the North West.

Any thoughts??

. WHY IS IT SO HARD WE REALLY WANT TO BE TEACHERS HAVEN'T WE PROVED IT ENOUGH!?!?!

No.

Loads of people "really want to be teachers" and then they drop out during their PGCE because they realise that it's not actually for them. So they have to be really quite rigid on the whole process to make sure they really do get the people who have a passion for it.

Also, loads of people want to be teachers. There are still people out there who think "Yay loads of holidays, finish school at 3pm each day!" (stupid people of course haha) and so again, they need to make sure they're taking on people who know what they're getting into.

Finally, they know that the people who really DO want to be teachers will go through anything to become a teacher. It's an incredibly rewarding yet quite secure career. Yes, we pay through the nose, then get a decent starting salary but will work somewhere in the region of 50-60hrs a week during our first year of teaching, but we still do it!

What was wrong with your Edge Hill interview & feedback if you don't mind me asking?

I was talking about us, on here, on TSR because you can tell we're passionate about it? Are you implying that I'm not for the job? I'm not sure I like your tone, I don't think you meant to offend but sorry you have offended me

Hi Dobbs, i know you were only trying to be helpful, but what you said isn't true in many cases - if you read through the forums it's evident. Many of the ppl granted places on primary have little experience in schools and there's many who have ample experience rejected for whatever reason.

If your argument is that they want to ensure that places are given to those who have shown exceptional commitment to teaching, then why did so many people with little more than good academic qualifications get on the courses!?

I was talking about us, on here, on TSR because you can tell we're passionate about it? Are you implying that I'm not for the job? I'm not sure I like your tone, I don't think you meant to offend but sorry you have offended me

Also, just to somewhat lighten the mood...
I've realised how inappropriate my TSR name is considering I'm applying for primary teaching. Just picked it off the top of my head (must have subconciously thought of the resource site), forgetting of course about the paedophile scandal with Sparklebox owner...

No affiliations with them, JSYK.

Hahaha, thought I recognised the name from somewhere! The NQT I worked with last year had loads of sparklebox stuff in the classroom on display - it was a bit unfortunate!

Things I'm doing differently: Like you, brushing up on the old mathematics, choosing different universities and looking at SCITT, preparing myself to speak on demand (I'm useless put on the spot - have this thing where I go blank, so infuriating) and looking at two or three current topics and knowing them inside out. This year I'm just going to prepare, prepare, prepare! I did last year but clearly not enough.

I'm stuck on the university bit. Think I am definitely going to apply to IoE, but need to choose between Kingston, Roehampton, LSBU and Wandsworth SCITT for my second choice

Good luck!

Choosing different unis this time too. UEL 1st choice, St Mary's 2nd - I applied early last week so just a waiting game now. I know what you mean about the prep, I felt so prepared last time but somehow, still ended up unsuccessful. I'm doing as much as is humanly possible while juggling a demanding full-time job. I'm always hesitant to say what job I do on TSR but it's a government job related to higher education . Just madly cramming in Maths practice in the late evenings when I get home at the minute.

I think the going blank thing is common when you're nervous, so just practice, practice, practice! On friends, on relatives, pets, anyone as long as you just get used to being put on the spot. You'll get there.

Lots of luck to you too!

I can relate to the whole demanding job thing. I work in children's social care and shift work is killing me atm. If I get on a course, I will be so happy to be working during the day! Just fitting in everything when I can - even reading the TES when I'm on a sleep-in shift!

Trying not to get my hopes up again, but it is exciting. Hopefully it will be second time lucky for us!

Haha, don't. I love the kids it's just the shifts. I would find office work difficult!

I've worked as a TA in two SEN schools and have about a year and a half of TA experience. I was on contract through an agency and the latest school said that there would be no vacancies, so I had to look elsewhere because the money really was dreadful. Then, the permanent TA's were told that they may not get sick pay and that the holidays will go down as well. It's very hard to get a job as a TA - they look for qualifications now such as level 2 and 3. At the last school, level 3 TA's could teach the class when the teacher was doing PPA, and they don't get much extra for it either.

I think if you have the experience, they can't complain! As you said, focus on the postives you can get out of your current job. I was having a look at my annual leave the other day to see if I can get some experience in a mainstream school as I only have SEN experience. We can only do what we can do!

Sending my application off this week I hope. Waiting for my referee to give me her email address and then I'm sorted. I sent mine in late November last year because my referee didn't do it until the very last minute.

Haha, don't. I love the kids it's just the shifts. I would find office work difficult!

I've worked as a TA in two SEN schools and have about a year and a half of TA experience. I was on contract through an agency and the latest school said that there would be no vacancies, so I had to look elsewhere because the money really was dreadful. Then, the permanent TA's were told that they may not get sick pay and that the holidays will go down as well. It's very hard to get a job as a TA - they look for qualifications now such as level 2 and 3. At the last school, level 3 TA's could teach the class when the teacher was doing PPA, and they don't get much extra for it either.

I think if you have the experience, they can't complain! As you said, focus on the postives you can get out of your current job. I was having a look at my annual leave the other day to see if I can get some experience in a mainstream school as I only have SEN experience. We can only do what we can do!

Sending my application off this week I hope. Waiting for my referee to give me her email address and then I'm sorted. I sent mine in late November last year because my referee didn't do it until the very last minute.