PGCE - Current Students Thread

Hi, i'm planning to apply for a pgce in citizenship early May for the year 2015-2016, i was wandering whether universities still accept late applications and what chances i have of actually getting offered a place? I only hav two weeks of work experience and a few hours of mentoring. Thank you.

Hold on, you got put on for CfC because you have written 'kids' on your detailed lesson plan? Talk about too much.

Ahh PGCE planning! I remember when my uni tutor came and literally looked into each and every single word - it was a scrutiny I had never experienced. He even picked up on the language used and wrote on it 'do not use slang in plans'. I had written kids as opposed to children. Of course it wasn't good enough and I was put on for CfC.


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That's ridiculous (the being told the language). If you'd written something offensive fair enough, but there isn't space or time to write full length prose every time.

I write chn for children, # for numbers and tbh abbreviate what I can to make the planning fit in a small, more useable space.

Xxx

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Not only that, but the quality of planning was deemed not good enough. That and the lesson. And I let him know I wasn't too pleased.

Shocking to hear that, what did your uni mentor do about it?

It's worth a shot, but I echo - more experience. Not only will this strengthen your application, but it will give you a clearer idea of what to expect. I know you probably already know this but the PGCE is bloody hard and you should go into it with both eyes open! It's also a lot of fun though.

Edit: I forgot to add, I got my place at a good university in July after my original offer fell through. Made no difference whatsoever. So April is not late at all

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IT'S EASTER!!! I also got some results back from my first M level essay today and got a high 2:1! Very pleased with that result. Now to relax by planning some more lessons. I'm so happy that it's Easter that I don't even mind doing more work!

That was my uni tutor. My placement mentor was so much better. I was put on CfC but it wasn't as bad as it could have been because of my placement mentor - she was very understanding and understood that I was finding Reception difficult.


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What work experience did you have when you applied? I'm finding it really difficult to find work experience at secondary schools. Iv been constantly ringing and emailing schools that the reveptionists now recognise me from my voice!

What work experience did you have when you applied? I'm finding it really difficult to find work experience at secondary schools. Iv been constantly ringing and emailing schools that the reveptionists now recognise me from my voice!

Have you finished your pgce now then? What exactly does a CfC mean? I mean, what changes? Do they keep an extra eye on you?

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Yeah this was last year. CfC is apparently your final chance - they give you specific targets which you need to meet. They're supposed to be smaller digestible targets. My placement mentor wasn't really fussed tho. She only went ahead with the CfC because my uni tutor wanted it. Extra eye on me? I couldn't tell tbh.


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I would understand if your placement mentor put you on CfC but your uni tutor? They are supposed to be on your side and be more supportive!

I have heard that teachers aren't even allowed days off for funerals. Is this true? My nan is in hospital and the doctors said they don't think she is going to pull through. Do I just ask for a day off for a funeral? I'm going - that is non-negotiable, but wondering how to ask.

I have heard that teachers aren't even allowed days off for funerals. Is this true? My nan is in hospital and the doctors said they don't think she is going to pull through. Do I just ask for a day off for a funeral? I'm going - that is non-negotiable, but wondering how to ask.

No, you'll be fine. Usually you get up to five days for urgent family issues, although this can vary according to how arsey the head wants to be. Sorry you are having to deal with this.

Teaching is just like any other job - things like bereavements cannot be avoided and I think it varies from school to school, but generally there are some days allocated for this reason (I think from memory it's 5)

On the PGCE too, you're also allowed a certain number of days - for us it's 5 days without having to make those days up (excluding interviews), between 6-10 you may have to make the days up and 10-15 you will have to make the days up.

Any more than that and we are required to resit.

Thanks for letting me know. I am worried about absences but this is different. I've had a total of 12 days off my second placement (had an operation), and 4 off first placement. So 16, but my uni know this and they have never mentioned resitting. I'd like to think they would mention that to me

I have heard that teachers aren't even allowed days off for funerals. Is this true? My nan is in hospital and the doctors said they don't think she is going to pull through. Do I just ask for a day off for a funeral? I'm going - that is non-negotiable, but wondering how to ask.

Thanks for letting me know. I am worried about absences but this is different. I've had a total of 12 days off my second placement (had an operation), and 4 off first placement. So 16, but my uni know this and they have never mentioned resitting. I'd like to think they would mention that to me