PGCE 2014 Applications (NOT FOR SPECIFIC INTERVIEW TASK DISCUSSIONS)

Hi everyone,
I'm new to the thread and my decision to go into teaching is fairly recent, during my final year of uni. However, as it was my final year I didn't have time to research a lot and focused on my degree. I was hoping for some advice.

I've been talking to a Headteacher for a primary school near me and it's likely that I will be getting some school experience starting in September. I haven't had any previous experience before and I am hoping to apply for a PGCE in Primary Education. I was wondering if I continuously volunteered 2/3 days a week starting from mid September, would this be enough?

I have graduated with a 2.1 in Criminology, would this affect my applications? I have searched some institutions and they have said they want a degree in a 'relevant subject'. I'm getting pretty worried as I really feel like this is a good career option for myself and becoming a teacher is something I want.

Thank you

You should have two weeks experience by November if you do that, so it should be fine. The most important thing is what you draw from your experiences and how you communicate that in your PS/interview.
Normally, they expect you to show some sort of relevant to the national curriculum with your degree. Did you do any modules to do with children? Anything maths/history/geography/etc related? Try to link it if you can.

That's good then.
Well I've done a fair bit of sociology in my degree...which I'm not sure counts as a national curriculum subject. I've done children and the law (family law) and my degree has focused around youth (and my dissertation).
I spoke to the Teaching Line and they have said some course requirements may change...how should I be prepared at the moment?

So does that mean if I accepted I could still retire without paying? Sorry I'm a bit confused

You only pay for the terms in which you are enrolled.

So if you accepted but then decide to leave before the course starts, you won't be required to pay anything.

I will say this though. These courses are competitive and a lot of people become broken-hearted not getting on, getting onto a courses is a multiple year process for some people and it can be a case of blood sweat and tears yet still no results.
If you're not sure if you want to take that place before even applying, I'd do more in-schools experience. Someone may have really wanted that place you weren't sure about and not getting it could have caused a lot of heartache. If I was this person and found out that someone quit before they even started, it would be a huge kick in the balls to me as I'm sure it would be to others.

Make sure you really want this place before applying. Save yourself the time and someone else the potential heartache.

Of course. You see, my problem is money not being unsure of what I want I will be working like crazy to save enough money to be able to pay accomodation and living in general but you never know...

If you get a student overdraft for whilst you're on your course you will easily pay it off during your firs year in teaching.

So in a surprising and extremely unfortunate turn of events, the high school that said I could go back any time for work exp in September is burning down as I type four 11-14 year olds have been arrested and it's basically burning the whole school down! They were due to start on Tuesday, so now it looks like the students are going to have to be spread out across the rest of the schools in my town. It is very, very sad. I have no idea what this means for me getting any more work exp seeing as I think the rest of the schools will be pretty stressed out with all this business. I may have to look further afield.

Does anyone know of any list of the most and (more importantly for me) the least popular PGCE providers?

I'm from outside the UK, and I'm probably not even going to stay there for more than a few years: I'll be off to teach in China I think. So where I do my PGCE doesn't matter much to be. And since all PGCE's are seen as being of roughly equal worth, I figure I may as well just apply to the places that are easier to get into.

Hi guys,

I graduated with a degree in information systems but having observed both I decided I wanted to do primary. . It seems like your degree has to link with it somehow my degree has nothing to do with children or studying their behaviour although I did a separate course online which taught be about teaching methods, learning styles and behaviour management... am I doomed?

Hi everyone

I'm due to graduate in 2014 with combined subjects (media major/English minor) and I'm hoping to teach secondary English. Will the fact that I study English minor affect my application to the PGCE course?




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