PGCE 2014 Applications (NOT FOR SPECIFIC INTERVIEW TASK DISCUSSIONS)

There's been people who organise work exp at some schools I've contacted. I've found them quite helpful.

Academies count. They are still technically state schools. Plus, my last school exp was in an academy that was a national teaching school, so they did schools direct and all sorts of teacher training stuff. I spoke to the person who organises it all and she said they got loads on work exp so I would have thought she would have said if their days were gonna be useless exp - after all, she was the lead person for teacher training admissions partnered with Cumbria uni.

Posted from TSR Mobile

Hmm, reason I asked is because the PGCE I want to go on says under their requirements and I was under the impression academies aren't goverment funded and don't have to teach the national curriculum. I don't want to waste my time is all.

The first year of my degree was worth 0% so I spent a year living the rock n' roll life style and consequently my grades were pretty poor but will this affect my PGCE application for Primary PGCE.

I'm applying for secondary maths for 2014, anyone have any advice?

Also, does anyone have a good guide somewhere for getting experience?

Can we begin our application form before the 1st of November so they are ready to send?

From what I read we will now need two references for our application for a PGCE? Has anything else changed? I know we can apply for 3 places at once now and it will be done through UCAS now.

Hey I'm a bit confused about some of the changes in the system/ in general and wondered if anyone could help me. Does anyone know whether for primary we can only apply for two now and then one other or has that not been specified? Also could anyone point me in the right direction of where the new info is, especially about the two week blocks? When do we have to do the new tests is it before interview or after we apply? Sorry if I sound stupid, just having a bit of a panic after researching today, didn't realise it had all changed. Also, may be a bit random, but can you apply for a MA for the same year your doing a PGCE (obvs not to do both, but in case I don't get in for a PGCE - I get funding for the year after I graduate for being in full time education but it has to be that year). Thanks for anyone who can help and sorry for the lack of paragraphs, can't work out how to!

The process begins on 1 November each year.

You can only apply for a course when it's open – you can check which are open when you search for courses.
Many courses open immediately, but don't worry if you can't find a course you want – there'll be more available later.
Each training provider will have a set plan for when they're opening theirs – so keep a look out.
When a course is opened for the first time, it stays open for a minimum of two weeks. If they don't fill all their places the first time they open their course, it might be open again later, but not definitely, and maybe only briefly.

It's worth doing some research into the open dates and what three choices to make. Because you can only apply for a course when it is open, and you have to make your three choices at the same time, you'll want to think carefully about how to use your three choices.

I thought I read we need two references - or is it still one written reference by one of two referees on the application?!

Helloooo. It is confusing!

Someone posted an excellent UCAS PDF on here explaining the changes. It was on TSR but I can't remember which thread, so sadly I can't find it now! I've been able to find this info for you to look at, which explains some stuff, and then if you look on here it explains a bit more. More specifically:



That sort of explains the two week 'opening' session that was talked about in the PDF I'd seen.

I personally see no merit in this open/close system. Why can't all open at the same time and just be like UCAS is with undergrad uni courses?

Oh and also meant to say, you don't have to have done the skills tests when you have an interview. If you get an offer you will be told when you have to take them by. A lot of places leave it until the summer, but some (MMU for example) specify you must take them within six weeks of an offer.

Planning to apply for 2014 also, I have work experience lined up for 12 weeks from September until around Christmas or so, doing one day a week in a secondary school. Do you think I should delay my application until I've done all 12 weeks so that I can talk about it? Or should I just explain that in the application and get it in quickly?

The advice I got is to apply as early as you can, referring to the further experience you are due to get in the future. You should have 6 weeks of experience by November anyway, so that's what matters.