PGCE 2014 Applications (NOT FOR SPECIFIC INTERVIEW TASK DISCUSSIONS)

Cheers. I am applying for Secondary actually. History.

Just about!! Getting a little nervous now lol! How about you??

Yeah yeah...the nerves are defo kicking in a bit now haha!!im pretty much sorted i think...my article things arent very long though..hopefully that isnt an issue....also...it says to reference the articles formally on the first page...how have you referenced yours?

Anybody who has had an interview at Bishop Grot, how long did it take for them to get back to you with a decision?

Aww thank you so much for your kind words! It's fustrating because I am a fairly confident person, in work and around people so I hate it when they say it at interview. Family and friends have said to me that maybe teaching isn't for me and that I should look into something else or go for primary rather than secondary. But I don't want to do anything else and I'm not keen on primary age and I'd rather specialise in a subject. Teaching is something I've wanted to do since year 9 !

Thanks I'm hoping Wednesday goes well as it's my last chance! I know there's apply two but I don't really wanna go somewhere completely new or move away. I've wasted a year already by not getting in before, just don't want it to happen again!
Congrats on your offers that's fantastic !

I have worked as a history teacher for nearly ten years and I know that it is one of the most competitive secondary subjects. What sort of experience do you have? Do you have good a levels behind you? Speaking from experience of previous GTP students (i know you applied for School Direct) i dont think they had vast amounts of school experience but did have strong academic credentials. It is also very hard to find a job afterwards - one had to take on supply followed by a temporary post, another found their job after around ten interviews. Make sure someone checks your personal statement carefully - both myself and my sister in law who is an assistant head checked my husband's. It is such a small amount of words to really sell yourself in.

Thanks I'm hoping Wednesday goes well as it's my last chance! I know there's apply two but I don't really wanna go somewhere completely new or move away. I've wasted a year already by not getting in before, just don't want it to happen again!

I hand wrote it. One of mine is from a website so I wrote the Web address down and the company.... For the other I am choosing between two from the same book. I copied the format from the back of the book.

Starting to get more worried about the group presentation as I have no idea what to expect!!

Nope, I'm from Ireland so I'm doing my undergrad over here! There was only 8 of us at my interview and I don't think anybody was doing their undergrad in Cambridge. I saw in another post you have to travel to Cambridge for your interview, I would definitely recommend staying over...I stay in a hostely type B&B really near the Education Dept. which was perfect...I can link it to you if you'd like? I chose Darwin and Homerton, slightly regretting choosing Homerton but not much I can do now!

Yeaaaah...tbh i think with the group thing aslong as we can contribute to the conversation and discussion it should be fine mine are both online sources so i will do the sameee...i wanted a journal article but couldnt print it!! :/ stupid thing haha...once im there ill be fineee its just up until then the unknown is nervy haha

I know! It's hard to know what to expect and that's what makes it so scary! Lol.

I have plenty of experience: 6 years as a TA with responsibility for my own tutor group as well as out of school youth work and work with English Heritage in public facing roles. Maybe its my academic credentials that are letting me down, which if is the case is not something I can quickly do much about. I have a 2.1 in History and the necessary GCSEs but no A levels worth speaking of. No ones ever mentioned needing A levels before. If that is hidden away in the course providers small print and they are screening out people without A levels first then I'm pretty much buggered.

Only just finished slogging through my degree purely so I could become a teacher. If that's going to be pulled away from me now then the last 5 years have been a monumental waste of time.

Ah okay that's good Yes! Oh yes that would be amazing! I will be getting the train so being close is important as will have to walk/ use public transport. Cool I think I will pick Homerton as my second choice, just because you're basically guaranteed to get in there I think...? Also, I think they are good as they are aware of PGCE students needs but I did see that they only have 40 spaces for accomodation of PGCE students. I will probably pick somewhere else for my first choice but need to have a look. Also can I ask what offer did you get? Like is it conditional on a 2:1 or..?

Yeaaaah...so vague with what to expect haha!not long left to wait to find out

Indeed!

Also, the 10 days we have to respond to offers starts when we have heard back from ALL providers right??

Im not entirely sure...ive only applied for the one university but i would assume it is after all have replied!seems the only way that would make sense