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PGCE - Current Students Thread

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Original post by qwerty_mad
Marking on your PGCE during the holiday?? I had it a lot easier then.


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My school operates on the basis that once I take over a class they are mine and I have full responsibility for them. That means I mark, go to parents' evenings, handle all detentions and any meetings about them etc. To be honest, I'm glad of it as I feel much more like a real teacher, but it did mean I have 2 class sets of books and a class set of tests to mark.
I've literally done nothing all holiday. Not looking forward to going back next week and having to get motivated again :frown: . Essay due in two weeks. I'll start it next week and hope for the best.
Original post by Airfairy
I've literally done nothing all holiday. Not looking forward to going back next week and having to get motivated again :frown: . Essay due in two weeks. I'll start it next week and hope for the best.


I'm feeling the same way. My mh has been shot to pieces. I think being on placement hid it because I just didn't have the time to stop but also because it gave me a reason to keep going.

Still haven't even touched my 3000 word essay and I'm going on a mini break holiday with my gf at the weekend :/

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Original post by tory88
My school operates on the basis that once I take over a class they are mine and I have full responsibility for them. That means I mark, go to parents' evenings, handle all detentions and any meetings about them etc. To be honest, I'm glad of it as I feel much more like a real teacher, but it did mean I have 2 class sets of books and a class set of tests to mark.


I see. Makes sense. Yeah it will deffo bode well for you once you are qualified - you'll know what to expect. And besides, it's not too bad.


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Good luck all trainee teachers :smile: I'm now an NQT+1 and it is soooo much better now. NQT year was tough for me too because all the new responsibility is overwhelming but now I sort of know what I'm doing, haha. I remember the essays being the bane of my life. Try not to let them ruin the holidays :frown:
Okay so I've really been struggling with a couple of things during last placement. The main one being my lesson plans, but also transporting the stuff I need to and from school sensibly.

With the lesson plans I was apparently using the university's standard lesson plan instead of the super specific ones for our subject. The subject specific ones have so much additional information that I can't just *see* what I'm supposed to be doing through all of the other thousands of fields and check boxes. Do you think it's okay to continue to use the one I'm currently using for myself? It's clear and I've added extra white space so I can just glance and know what I'm doing next and then I'm also making additional work for myself in that I still need to do the other one too to put in my folder. Essentially I suck at planning. I know it's in my head and what timings and such but I'm not good at translating that into the minute detail my uni requires of me. I'm writing short sentences where I need to be writing paragraphs upon paragraphs for each lesson episode.

I also got told off for not giving the pupils enough time to complete activities and that more time needs to be spent actually doing stuff on computers, but then was pulled at observation by my uni for them spending too long looking at their screens so I need to figure out a way of splitting their activities up but I hate to do it when they're really focused on something like that.

My second major issue is transporting what I need for each lesson every day. Is that standard? I was having to take in the workbooks for each lesson I taught and if I had more than one lesson that day it was crippling. I then had to bring pens, markers, bits of paper, worksheets and anything else I needed to teach the lessons. Essentially I had nowhere to leave anything in the school as the department was struggling for space completely. I commute quite a distance in the mornings and that includes two buses and sometimes a train so my issue is keeping everything dry and movable while making it small enough to put on a train. I also need to take in my university folders too plus my very small laptop. Any idea how to deal with any of this apart from buying a car which is what the other trainees seemed to do?
Hey everyone in this thread! Just popping over from the PGCE Applications 2015. I'm going to be starting a Primary PGCE with a PE specialism in February. I'm happy that I don't have to wait until September but I'm a bit nervous it's so soon. I've been reading a lot of this thread and I know I'm in for a tough year. I was just wondering if there are any books I could be ordering now that you guys have found useful in your course? Something cheap and easy to read maybe? Anything I could be preparing whilst I have some time? I'm going to practice cursive handwriting this month as my writing is really bad. I'm also going to explore the TES website and start downloading things that might come in handy. I'm not sure what else I should be doing.
Original post by Veggiechic6
Hey everyone in this thread! Just popping over from the PGCE Applications 2015. I'm going to be starting a Primary PGCE with a PE specialism in February. I'm happy that I don't have to wait until September but I'm a bit nervous it's so soon. I've been reading a lot of this thread and I know I'm in for a tough year. I was just wondering if there are any books I could be ordering now that you guys have found useful in your course? Something cheap and easy to read maybe? Anything I could be preparing whilst I have some time? I'm going to practice cursive handwriting this month as my writing is really bad. I'm also going to explore the TES website and start downloading things that might come in handy. I'm not sure what else I should be doing.


Relax and enjoy your time. Do things for yourself. Get organised so you can stay organised during the course. And if you do read read something light and enjoyable, about teenage life, child development or something, to connect you with pupils. There will be plenty of time for specifics on the course.


Original post by ParadoxSocks
Okay so I've really been struggling with a couple of things during last placement. The main one being my lesson plans, but also transporting the stuff I need to and from school sensibly.

With the lesson plans I was apparently using the university's standard lesson plan instead of the super specific ones for our subject. The subject specific ones have so much additional information that I can't just *see* what I'm supposed to be doing through all of the other thousands of fields and check boxes. Do you think it's okay to continue to use the one I'm currently using for myself? It's clear and I've added extra white space so I can just glance and know what I'm doing next and then I'm also making additional work for myself in that I still need to do the other one too to put in my folder. Essentially I suck at planning. I know it's in my head and what timings and such but I'm not good at translating that into the minute detail my uni requires of me. I'm writing short sentences where I need to be writing paragraphs upon paragraphs for each lesson episode.

I also got told off for not giving the pupils enough time to complete activities and that more time needs to be spent actually doing stuff on computers, but then was pulled at observation by my uni for them spending too long looking at their screens so I need to figure out a way of splitting their activities up but I hate to do it when they're really focused on something like that.

My second major issue is transporting what I need for each lesson every day. Is that standard? I was having to take in the workbooks for each lesson I taught and if I had more than one lesson that day it was crippling. I then had to bring pens, markers, bits of paper, worksheets and anything else I needed to teach the lessons. Essentially I had nowhere to leave anything in the school as the department was struggling for space completely. I commute quite a distance in the mornings and that includes two buses and sometimes a train so my issue is keeping everything dry and movable while making it small enough to put on a train. I also need to take in my university folders too plus my very small laptop. Any idea how to deal with any of this apart from buying a car which is what the other trainees seemed to do?


Do you have a wheely case? Lots of teachers use those.

Also is there really nowhere you can leave things, even if it's just overnight? You can leave resources and any books that don't need marking there. Even on a table... That shouldn't matter when no ones there and you can get them first thing. Or there must be somewhere you put the stuff when you arrive/during the day. The uni folders are a pain but the resources should be able to be stored at school.

As for planning, speak to your mentor. If you can show you're getting on well they may be happy to allow you to use your own format. Also, who said that you had to add paragraphs to each section rather than notes?


Xxx
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(edited 9 years ago)
Urgh 4000 word masters asignment due in 10 days booooooo havnt even looked at it!!! Infact I have not looked at anything in relation to school or uni thank god we have 3 weeks off so I can start it all next week when kids are back at nursery. I have had a great christmas though I needed the break, I think we all do.
Original post by Lucy_jucie
Urgh 4000 word masters asignment due in 10 days booooooo havnt even looked at it!!! Infact I have not looked at anything in relation to school or uni thank god we have 3 weeks off so I can start it all next week when kids are back at nursery. I have had a great christmas though I needed the break, I think we all do.


Know the feeling, in exactly the same situation. My husband starts work tomorrow though so ill start on it then, but for now taking advantage of our last day off together :smile:
I'm attempting to do some work on an assignment trouble is I can't actually do it as I haven't started my placement or had any observations yet :facepalm:

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Original post by gemmam
I'm attempting to do some work on an assignment trouble is I can't actually do it as I haven't started my placement or had any observations yet :facepalm:

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How come you haven't started your placement?


I'm struggling to find motivation to get work done, I have a 5000 word assignment due Monday and 6 lesson plans that have to be in already and so far I've written 1000 and 0 lesson plans. Anyone have any motivation tips?
Original post by Louzilla
How come you haven't started your placement?


I'm struggling to find motivation to get work done, I have a 5000 word assignment due Monday and 6 lesson plans that have to be in already and so far I've written 1000 and 0 lesson plans. Anyone have any motivation tips?


No particular reason; a few others in my class haven't started theirs yet either.

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Original post by gemmam
No particular reason; a few others in my class haven't started theirs yet either.

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What type of PGCE are you doing? Primary or secondary?
Original post by Louzilla
What type of PGCE are you doing? Primary or secondary?


Neither I'm doing FE.

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Original post by gemmam
Neither I'm doing FE.

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Oh right fair enough. I'm not sure how an FE PGCE would work. :smile:
Original post by lolololol
Good luck all trainee teachers :smile: I'm now an NQT+1 and it is soooo much better now. NQT year was tough for me too because all the new responsibility is overwhelming but now I sort of know what I'm doing, haha. I remember the essays being the bane of my life. Try not to let them ruin the holidays :frown:


Any advice on applying for NQT positions? When do most positions become available - I've heard both January and Easter bandied around? I don't really feel developed enough to be applying to those positions yet, but I don't want to miss the boat on getting a school I like.
Original post by tory88
Any advice on applying for NQT positions? When do most positions become available - I've heard both January and Easter bandied around? I don't really feel developed enough to be applying to those positions yet, but I don't want to miss the boat on getting a school I like.


I applied in February but I was applying for my placement school - I didn't really feel ready to apply at that stage. I was planning to apply around Easter. My boyfriend applied in June-July and there were still loads of jobs but there wasn't much choice, but he does really like his school - he thinks he got lucky though. I got the first job I applied for and he got his second. Good luck :smile:
Ok guys, quick bummer post.
So im half way through my pgce, in the middle of writing my first 4k essay for it and about to start second placement so stressed enough as it is...you know what i didnt need, to find a lump on christmas eve...some of you ladies might appreciate the stress that comes from that freakin tiny discovery...not the best start to the new year to have the doc refer you to the local specialist ward for further checks while trying to reassure you...freakin joy....
Original post by Louzilla
Oh right fair enough. I'm not sure how an FE PGCE would work. :smile:


Rather than having two placements you just do 100 teaching hours with no set number of placements. I've already done a few hours teaching doing cover but I don't start my placement til next week.

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