PGCE - Current Students Thread

Head up; straight back; loud, clear voice (don't rush through what you have to say); move around and move your arms. Obviously a lot easier to say than to do, but remember that pupils will assume you're an authority figure unless you show them otherwise.

Well if I'm going to start again in September I wouldn't want to do it there. Not only would I not trust them to deliver I'm also planning on moving away from the area to be nearer my boyfriend.

Posted from TSR Mobile

Not sure about policy but I had to have surgery during my PGCE. I had to take 2 weeks off, though that overlapped a little bit with half term. My uni and placement school were both fine about it and really supportive.


Posted from TSR Mobile

I think that might be why that class didn't go well; they knew I was a student teacher. When I did the classes before Christmas they weren't told and probably assumed I was a sub or a teacher from a different department.

Posted from TSR Mobile

Thanks. I'm wondering if there's anyway I can fake confidence?

Posted from TSR Mobile

Classes shoudn't be told you're a student teacher unless you decide to tell them! It's worrying how many times this seems to be ignored though (my second placement originally printed badges that said student teacher on - although I've been told this will change by the time I start).

I don't know it helps you much but I found it helped if I wore the most teacher like clothes as possible.
I feel that if I dress the part then I feel more able to be the part.

Question - I am seeing on a lot of application forms that they went any gaps in employment/education history explained.

I have a year gap because I started a degree and decided it wasn't for me before starting another. I don't know whether to say this, or just say I had a gap year travelling. The degree I dropped out of is in the subject that I am applying to teach in this instance! So it doesn't look good...and they will want to know why I dropped out obviously. Even though I do genuinely love the subject that it was in, I just didn't have a Maths A-Level and found it very difficult at degree level.

We go on full-time teaching practice for a month after half term and I've been told I need to get at least two observations in during that time. I did do some teaching hours before Christmas covering for a teacher who was off which weren't so bad but I had a bad experience a couple of weeks ago which made me have second thoughts.

Posted from TSR Mobile

Two observations in a month is fine. I had 3 in 3 days last week! You'll be ok but you'll never know unless you try.

The thing is I don't think I'll even get the opportunity to teach on my own to get observed. My mentor seems reluctant for me to take a class as the college got a bad ofsted report last year. I really do wish I hadn't started this course I feel trapped as I don't think I'm going to pass yet I'm worried what'll happen if I drop out.

Posted from TSR Mobile

Once you secure a job the PGCE training means little, if anything. Try to get through the next few months and in the meantime make securing a job for September your priority.


Posted from TSR Mobile

My school told me this was to do with Safeguarding. They have to know it wasn't because you were in prison or something. Be honest about where you were.

I don't think I'm likely to pass the course also I don't feel I've gained enough experience to apply for a teaching job yet.

Interesting, I didn't think that would be the reason. Surely if you were actually in prison, that would show up on a DBS, so you can't lie about that anyway?

Thanks for the advice though. I sent it off yesterday and my family and friends told me not to tell the truth...so I didn't .



You sound like you have made your mind up really. I don't think anyone is going to be able to convince you to carry on. I guess you just need to decide if you want to carry on in September.

Posted from TSR Mobile

I don't think I'm likely to pass the course also I don't feel I've gained enough experience to apply for a teaching job yet.

I don't feel like I have much of a choice; I don't want to drop out but its either that or fail. I rang student finance earlier and they told me I could get funding to do it again in September so I think I might apply for somewhere nearer my boyfriend and start afresh in then (hopefully somewhere that'll run the course properly!).

TBH, I'd give it a while before trying again, if you decide to quit. All your posts make it clear you are having a rotten time and you are hating it. You are unlikely to feel equipped to start working as a teacher with the experience you've had, and teaching isn't an easy job to start in if you are already doubtful. I'd take some time out to figure if you are still interested enough to do it. If you are entitled to funding, the opportunity won't go away and you may well tackle it in better heart after a break.

I don't feel like I have much of a choice; I don't want to drop out but its either that or fail. I rang student finance earlier and they told me I could get funding to do it again in September so I think I might apply for somewhere nearer my boyfriend and start afresh in then (hopefully somewhere that'll run the course properly!).

I'd rather wait a while myself but I'm a bit concerned dropping out might make it harder for me to find a job (not in the education sector, just in general).

I'm not an expert on that, I must confess, but having walked away from a career which was making me so unhappy I was nearly ill, with no future plans at all, I can only say it was the thing which saved me from a lot of misery.

Are you referring to leaving your teaching career, or did you leave a career previously?