School Direct Trainees 2015 those who have accepted an offer :)

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Thank you both. I am hoping the conversations flow easily and we just end up chatting informally about it all. I was a little disappointed to see that the head at one of the schools is leaving(saw the job ad!) so might see if I can gauge anything from that without being too direct. I will be interested to find out if they know which classes they will put us in (I am doing age 3-7). It would be great to get experience in all 4 classes across the age group but can't see that being practical.

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Reply 41

beanbrain

Original post by Pineapple pie

You should definitely ask about the age groups! In my SCITT/SD, we train across all primary levels, but can choose to specialise in whichever range we like. However, in our second placement, we get placed in basically the polar opposite situation from our original choice: so a Year 6 main placement student will go into Year 2! Maybe they will have a system that is somewhat similar, working across the Early Years range.

Reply 42

Pineapple pie

That is interesting that you got to specify a choice. All my experience is with nursery so if I was asked I don't know if I would prefer nursery because that is where I would love to work long term, or Y1-2 because it would really be something new and challenging and I wouldn't be able to compare it with current practice where I am a TA so I would just accept everything. In nursery I have developed a style if working and if they worked differently I might be a bit disheartened!

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Reply 43

beanbrain

Well in the interview it was fairly obvious that most of us wanted to go for KS2, although apparently they usually end up with a 50/50 split of KS1 and KS2 in the final cohort. But they allow us to choose because it makes it easier for them to place us in schools. However, they always put you into a second placement that is a serious contrast to your main placement, because it gives you a much broader range of experience that will make you more employable in the long run.

That said, the SCITT coordinator said that some people change their minds about which age range they want to teach due to the second placement. I figure that it isn't worth stressing about - you've done the stressful part so far and managed to get a place. You will have to do the stressful part of having to do the training and the PGCE. Give yourself one less thing to stress out about - if they aren't giving you the choice then relax and look forward to whatever challenge they present you with. If they do give you the choice, pick the answer out of a hat (or something similar) and let fate take its course!

Reply 44

xxTraceyxx

Student Finance Question.... I couldn't find my School's Consortium on Student Finance form despite having all the relevant codes. My School's Direct Placement includes a PGCE through Durham Uni. Does anyone know if I should be able to find my School's Direct Consortium on there or can I just put the University?

Reply 45

earthworm

I have accepted a conditional offer for a SD course but have found out that my wife is pregnant, could I lose this offer because of this?

Reply 46

shanzy_91

Thanks 😊 I'm still waiting to hear beaks from them 😔

Original post by SpenceHarris1589

My payment dates are confirmed! It has been sooo much easier! :biggrin:

Good luck

Reply 47

shanzy_91

I spoken to an advisor from Get Into Teaching and they told me that the school will automatically sort out payment arrangements for the bursaries. I was advised that if it's approaching end of the academic year and I hadn't heard anything then contact the school if concerned.

Original post by revill90

I have had my student finance approved, and I only applied last week, I am however 25, so classed as independent so its a bit more black and white when it comes to entitlement.

I am now wondering how we go about obtaining our bursaries, as I have a 2:1 and will be doing school direct unsalaried primary? Any ideas?? xx

Reply 48

shanzy_91

I had this same problem too! I couldn't find my course from the ucas codes or anything. I had to put in the name of the SCITT/SD provider e.g. The East Midlands Teacher Training Partnership and not the name of the uni that the PGCE comes from. The course name was Postgraduate Initial Teacher Training and not any of the ucas codes.

I hope this helps

Original post by xxTraceyxx

Reply 49

Pierson

Original post by earthworm

I have accepted a conditional offer for a SD course but have found out that my wife is pregnant, could I lose this offer because of this?

Congratulations!

To me, it seems incredibly unlikely that they would rescind your offer as that would arguably be associative discrimination. My guess is that, at most, they'd request that you defer for a year. I recommend talking to your course provider as soon as possible and finding out how much support they will be able to offer you. If they say they won't be able to accommodate you in terms of any time off or coursework extensions you may need after the baby is born, then you may want to consider deferring if possible. But if you're absolutely sure that you will be able to cope with the pressures of training as well as having a newborn then I don't see your course provider stopping you from going forward with the course.

Reply 50

earthworm

Original post by Pierson

It will be our second child so I doubt it will be too disruptive, I hope to have lots of family around to help too. I worked full time while my son was a newborn and survived. I'm worried they will be funny about it though.

Reply 51

Pineapple pie

Why do you think they'll be funny with you? They wouldn't even be able to say anything if a student themselves were pregnant, let alone someone who is not actually on the course.
What would concern you? Time off?
I was pregnant when I applied for and started my BA Hons Degree and uni's were very supportive....they said I could bring the baby to lectures and offered a breastfeeding room! Not that i did take him but the point is, they will be supportive x

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Reply 52

earthworm

The only reason I'm concerned is they made a fuss about not being able to do part time work while on the course. I suppose its not like I'm going to be giving birth or breastfeed!

Reply 53

earthworm

Ok I have dropped them an email.. We shall see!

Reply 54

sarahlou_xx

Congrats on gaining places everyone!

I applied for two Primary School Direct places back in Novemeber via the University of Nottingham (currently studying Psychology here too) and a PGCE at Nottingham Trent. I wanted the option of both PGCE & SD but I was so determined to get a SD place! I was invited to a University based interview at the University of Nottingham for the two school direct places and was successful. I was then invited to the two school based interviews and was successful at the first one (Torch TSA) which was also my preferred alliance. I was actually called the same day of the interview with the offer which was AMAZING! I loved the junior school where the interview took place (it's also where i'll be training) so much that I withdrew from my second SD interview and PGCE interview.

Also passed both my skills tests yesterday (yay!) so now I just need to get my degree. Nottingham lowered my grade requirement down from a 2:1 to 2:2, even though I'm on track for a high 2:1, so I'm incredibly excited now that it's just one last step!

I'm just wondering what everybody is doing to prepare for the start of September? Anybody have a to do list? Is there anybody else doing SD in Nottingham?

(edited 9 years ago)

Reply 55

earthworm

Original post by Pineapple pie

Original post by Pierson

Heard back today-they seem cool and sound like they will be supportive. Doubly excited now!

Reply 56

Melly123456

Hi everyone,

Congratulations to all those with offers! How amazing does it feel?!
I have so far been on 2 interviews - PGCE and SD (I have another SD on the 26th) Today I received 2 offers!!! :-) I am beyond excited!!! I have applied both for Primary Early Years- the PGCE have accepted this with PSS English. SD have asked me to do general primary...
I am so confused...which one to choose???

I just need my 2.1 that I'm on track for and the QTS skills tests (booked for April 17th :-/

oh and student finance - I qualify???

Reply 57

beanbrain

Original post by sarahlou_xx

I'm just wondering what everybody is doing to prepare for the start of September? Anybody have a to do list? Is there anybody else doing SD in Nottingham?

Well done!

My to-do list is super short at the moment!! Currently I'm working and getting myself settled into a few habits so that they will be easier to continue once the hard work starts! I'm saving money and stashing it away, so that if I have any unfortunate incidents (like car problems) during the course I will not have to worry about it.

After Easter the lead school will start placing us, so I am currently researching the various schools that I could be placed in, just to get a head start on that.

The real prep work will start, for me, over the summer, when the university accrediting the course sends a suggested reading list. I'm taking a month between finishing work and starting the course, so that's when I will be doing all the reading and preparation!

Reply 58

shanzy_91

Had any one been told yet how much time they'll spend in the school and how much time at uni? I'm dying to know but my school says thyre still making the timetables. I'm worried that I'm not gonna have enough uni input now.

Reply 59

Pineapple pie

Original post by shanzy_91

My programme goes like this:
12 days over the year at uni.
1st half term of both term 1 and 2 is 3 days in school, 2 days at training centre, 2nd half term is 5 days in school.
Term 3 is spent entirely at school.
2 assignments of 5000 words each. The rest is assessed in school and tasks to complete between training days.

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