PGCE - Current Students Thread

How do you get away with not doing lesson plans? Is it different for secondary? We are expected to plan (in detail) every lesson we teach. I also was doing my evaluations weekly but my tutor found out and told me it was useless for me to do that as it was too long after the lesson. I preferred doing them in one batch too though!

I wonder if in my modding capacity for this forum I should start a sticky for those having a positive experience of the PGCE. Is only having a negative sticky a bit daunting for potential new entrants for the profession? In my gnarled and grizzly old state of mind, I am inclined to believe that this thread tells more of the truth, but wonder what the rest of you think. Shall I create and stick a happy thread?

There was one made somewhere already (not stickied tho)!

It's not different for secondary, it's different for schools/mentors. In both my placements I've had to do lesson plans. Not only that but I use them heavily in the lesson - they are a script for me, so I'd do them even if I didn't have to. However there are some trainees on my current placement who were moaning that they hate this current school because at their last school they didn't do one lesson plan, even for formal observations! I think that is rare.


Brilliant, thank you. Maybe I will go then.

I wonder if in my modding capacity for this forum I should start a sticky for those having a positive experience of the PGCE. Is only having a negative sticky a bit daunting for potential new entrants for the profession? In my gnarled and grizzly old state of mind, I am inclined to believe that this thread tells more of the truth, but wonder what the rest of you think. Shall I create and stick a happy thread?

It's dependent on the school tbh. I'm only writing lesson plans for the lessons that I have been officially observed in.

My first placement wanted plans in 24 hours in advance, my second placement don't - I just send my mentor/class teacher if I want to - a brief outline of the lesson

To be honest I read this thread last year and it helped set my expectations. If I didn't realise how hard this was going to be, I might not have reached this point. Part of me thinks it is important to be realistic about how demanding this course is. My biggest problem at the moment is that my uni peer group are too positive! I'm having a tough time and they don't want to hear me vent. It might be the opposite for some trainees here though.

Yes, I'm getting the message fairly clearly. TBH, the fact that the PGCE is an utterly dreadful ordeal and the job itself is little better is my own view, but since I am frequently accused of having a bit of a jade-tinted spectacles view of things, I thought I might try to shove aside my own prejudices for a moment!

Perhaps just change the thread title to something more neutral like "Current PGCE Students"?

I think this thread is already used for positive things (mixed in with all the moaning) - it's a community of trainee teachers and consequently people share how they're feeling about the course, whether they've had a good or bad day, but the title suggest it's 100% negative.

Of course it's still more like 80-90% moaning (because the PGCE is a tough year) but I think rather than a separate thread, a title change would do the job.

Good idea. What do the rest of you think about that?

Edit: Did it anyway. If there's a roar of disapproval I'll change it back, but let's see how it goes for now.

I wonder if in my modding capacity for this forum I should start a sticky for those having a positive experience of the PGCE. Is only having a negative sticky a bit daunting for potential new entrants for the profession? In my gnarled and grizzly old state of mind, I am inclined to believe that this thread tells more of the truth, but wonder what the rest of you think. Shall I create and stick a happy thread?

Why couldn't you just create another one titled 'PGCE = never felt so happy or carefree"?

Before I started my pgce I used to watch this thread for a while(once I read the thread from page 1 as I THAT curious!). I really liked reading other people talk about how they are finding the course as it gave me some mental preparation of what it will be like when I start in Sept.

Most importantly, the pgce is HARD and this thread really helped me out a lot, it's like we are all kindred spirits. I love you all guys!

I wonder if in my modding capacity for this forum I should start a sticky for those having a positive experience of the PGCE. Is only having a negative sticky a bit daunting for potential new entrants for the profession? In my gnarled and grizzly old state of mind, I am inclined to believe that this thread tells more of the truth, but wonder what the rest of you think. Shall I create and stick a happy thread?

I think there are far too many Stickies in Education & Teaching already,

Fair enough. Solved the issue with a title change.

Hey chaps

I have my 4 day special needs placement next week at a school for children with severe and profound learning difficulties. I'll be working with KS1 (I'm primary PGCE) but I've no idea what to expect really. I've never worked with SEN children before. Has anyone else worked in a special school and can give me any more idea about how classes are taught to cater for a wide range of severe/multiple learning difficulties?

You guys are so lucky that you only have a few months left of the course. I started my PGCE in February so I don't finish until December. I've been following this thread, it's nice to know what's coming!

I am impressed with the new title. Gives the opportunity for people feeling all emotions x

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Hey chaps

I have my 4 day special needs placement next week at a school for children with severe and profound learning difficulties. I'll be working with KS1 (I'm primary PGCE) but I've no idea what to expect really. I've never worked with SEN children before. Has anyone else worked in a special school and can give me any more idea about how classes are taught to cater for a wide range of severe/multiple learning difficulties?

You guys are so lucky that you only have a few months left of the course. I started my PGCE in February so I don't finish until December. I've been following this thread, it's nice to know what's coming!