PGCE - Current Students Thread

Congrats folks! :biggrin:

Hard work has paid off :smile:

Reply 3381

outlaw-torn

15

Original post by lantan

It is! This weekend I completed 8 and thought of shooting myself as it was so tedious. In a sense I much prefer the actual interviews as they are exciting - and get progressively easier as you go along. In my today's interview I wasn't the least bit nervous - I just couldn't care after doing so many of them... Did you feel anything similar? How many interviews/applications have you done? Just curious! :smile:

That's exactly why I got my job last week. I went into the interview thinking what will be will be!

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Reply 3382

myrtille

15

Definitely agree with those saying you get the job at the stage when you loosen up and the interview doesn't feel so stressful.

I had 1 unsuccessful PGCE interview for 2010 entry, then 1 Teach First and 1 PGCE interview for 2012, before my successful one. By the final one, the interview just felt like a chat - we had a giggle and it was very relaxed.

The same when I applied for teaching jobs last year. I submitted 9 applications and attended 6 interviews plus 1 informal chat at a school I hadn't even applied to. By the last 2 (interview and informal chat) which were on the same day as each other, I felt so much more relaxed and was offered both posts!

I do turn into an absolute nutter in interviews though - I go into some kind of bizarre stream-of-consciousness mode where I say random things that pop into my head, but also am really funny and make the interviewers laugh - something I'm totally incapable of in everyday life when I'm really quite boring!

Reply 3383

lantan

7

Original post by outlaw-torn

That's exactly why I got my job last week. I went into the interview thinking what will be will be!

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Yep!
I liked the school today - although it will definitely be challenging, I'm very excited! :smile:

Reply 3384

I feel like I'm falling behind - everyone's getting or got jobs. I've applied to a number of schools and only had the one interview. I must be doing something wrong with my applications. Perhaps my best bet will be after the teacher resignation deadline or even supply :frown:

Reply 3385

Steveluis10

10

Tutor came in today for the final time and I got graded good with outstanding features so very happy with that!

20 teaching days left - pressure is off in a way but still feel like it's going to drag. So very nearly there!

Reply 3386

pgce2013

8

Original post by qwerty_mad

I feel like I'm falling behind - everyone's getting or got jobs. I've applied to a number of schools and only had the one interview. I must be doing something wrong with my applications. Perhaps my best bet will be after the teacher resignation deadline or even supply :frown:

Just plod along, it will all fall in place. I never thought I would get a job at this stage as I wasn't applying to many places. You will get something soon now the time for many to get jobs.

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Reply 3387

flower124

Hiya, Question to all PGCE Primaryers: I know asking this question on this thread is probably going to get a biased answer against the PGCE - but if you had your time over, would you have done the PGCE still or would you have studied Primary Teaching as an undergrad?

Reply 3388

Original post by flower124

Hiya, Question to all PGCE Primaryers: I know asking this question on this thread is probably going to get a biased answer against the PGCE - but if you had your time over, would you have done the PGCE still or would you have studied Primary Teaching as an undergrad?

I would have stuck with the Primary PGCE. It hasn't been too hard for me - I've managed the workload quite well, part because I've had two mentors who've made life quite easy in that respect. But if someone is intent on teaching before starting their undergraduate I would suggest the degree.

I still have a passion for A-Level History so may look into that in a few years time.

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Reply 3389

Original post by pgce2013

Just plod along, it will all fall in place. I never thought I would get a job at this stage as I wasn't applying to many places. You will get something soon now the time for many to get jobs.

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Yeah that's what I'll be doing. Patience.

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Reply 3390

kpwxx

20

Original post by qwerty_mad

I feel like I'm falling behind - everyone's getting or got jobs. I've applied to a number of schools and only had the one interview. I must be doing something wrong with my applications. Perhaps my best bet will be after the teacher resignation deadline or even supply :frown:

I didn't get my NQT job until term had started in September. Don't panic!

Maybe try changing your PS. I was sticking with one page, for example, as I'd been told by one head they'd prefer that. But a friend got interviews with 2 pages, so I switched to that and got my first (and only, apart from the one I got!) interview. Make sure you're focussing on 1. The features the school wants in you 2. What makes you YOU as a teacher.

Original post by flower124

Hiya, Question to all PGCE Primaryers: I know asking this question on this thread is probably going to get a biased answer against the PGCE - but if you had your time over, would you have done the PGCE still or would you have studied Primary Teaching as an undergrad?

I would have stuck with what I did. I love teaching but I still think it's nice to have that backup incase things don't go right. Having said that I don't think a PGCE is a substitute for an undergrad degree at all (It's not the same stuff crammed in to a year!). But if you're willing to work really hard and continue to develop lots over the first few years (which you kind of have to anyway!) you can make up for it a bit when you are working as a teacher.

xxx

Reply 3391

flower124

Original post by kpwxx

I didn't get my NQT job until term had started in September. Don't panic!

Maybe try changing your PS. I was sticking with one page, for example, as I'd been told by one head they'd prefer that. But a friend got interviews with 2 pages, so I switched to that and got my first (and only, apart from the one I got!) interview. Make sure you're focussing on 1. The features the school wants in you 2. What makes you YOU as a teacher.

I would have stuck with what I did. I love teaching but I still think it's nice to have that backup incase things don't go right. Having said that I don't think a PGCE is a substitute for an undergrad degree at all (It's not the same stuff crammed in to a year!). But if you're willing to work really hard and continue to develop lots over the first few years (which you kind of have to anyway!) you can make up for it a bit when you are working as a teacher.

xxx

Thanks for replying! :smile:

in a bit of a dilemma as applied to primary ed degree courses and also non QTS courses incase I changed my mind/wanted to keep options open.. I've actually picked a non QTS degree in the end but keep worrying the PGCE will be way more stressful than undergrad. My thinking was I don't feel quite ready or mature enough to do teacher training yet as well as like you, wanting a back up if all didnt go to plan,so gathered PGCE would be a better option. Just have to trust I've made the right decision! What degree did you do for undergrad if you don't mind me asking? Hope everything is going well :smile:

Reply 3392

kpwxx

20

Original post by flower124

Thanks for replying! :smile:

in a bit of a dilemma as applied to primary ed degree courses and also non QTS courses incase I changed my mind/wanted to keep options open.. I've actually picked a non QTS degree in the end but keep worrying the PGCE will be way more stressful than undergrad. My thinking was I don't feel quite ready or mature enough to do teacher training yet as well as like you, wanting a back up if all didnt go to plan,so gathered PGCE would be a better option. Just have to trust I've made the right decision! What degree did you do for undergrad if you don't mind me asking? Hope everything is going well :smile:

I did maths, so not teaching related or vocational at all! Though I did do a teaching and learning of maths module :biggrin:

I think you've probably made the right decision for you; yes, a PGCE is more stressful but it's also doable if teaching is what you really want to do! The work is at a masters level but really that means that you need to be at a 2:2 level + to pass, rather than a 3rd level... it's not as scary as it sounds. I didn't do a dissertation or much essay writing at all in my degree and I got on OK with the assignments. As for the teaching side, time is an issue but that's teaching! You will get used to it and so it will get better as you go along.

xxx

Reply 3393

pgce2013

8

Hey does anyone know if there is an NQT thread, can't seem to find one.

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Reply 3394

Original post by pgce2013

Hey does anyone know if there is an NQT thread, can't seem to find one.

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There is. It's called 'The NQT Year Thread'. Sorry I can't link it because I'm using the TSR app.

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Reply 3395

browneyes89

Hey guys, sorry to interrupt this thread but I was just wondering on a similar note how many weeks you get off for Christmas and Easter and when the course actually ends in summer?

Reply 3396

Linnende

I'd imagine you'd have similar holidays to official school holidays, so 2 weeks for Xmas/Easter etc. I think you'll probably be spending most of that time doing work though. Check with the uni you've applied to/want to apply to.

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Reply 3397

Piggsil

16

Original post by pgce2013

Hey does anyone know if there is an NQT thread, can't seem to find one.

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http://www.thestudentroom.co.uk/showthread.php?t=1766069

It's in the stickies just under this thread :p:

Reply 3398

Original post by browneyes89

Hey guys, sorry to interrupt this thread but I was just wondering on a similar note how many weeks you get off for Christmas and Easter and when the course actually ends in summer?

I got the two weeks off for both.

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Reply 3399

Aleeece123