PGCE - Current Students Thread

I was looking at Cambridge, I'll have an MPhys from Durham at 2:2/2:1 borderline with 3-4 weeks experience in 10 different schools (so far this amount want me) and 3 volunteer projects with school children. The experience side I'll be okay, im just worried if I get a 2:2 it might hinder me, even if I have a masters from a good uni.

I was looking at Cambridge, I'll have an MPhys from Durham at 2:2/2:1 borderline with 3-4 weeks experience in 10 different schools (so far this amount want me) and 3 volunteer projects with school children. The experience side I'll be okay, im just worried if I get a 2:2 it might hinder me, even if I have a masters from a good uni.

50.

What is the pass mark for a PGCE written assignment?

I've trained at the IoE with people who've got 2.2s, and I would imagine it's similar for Cambridge (my offer also only required a 2.2 from Warwick). Your experience sounds good - try to be teaching a few lessons if they'll let you, it gives you something to talk about at interview.

As long as you have a degree, classification is far less important than you may think - what matters more is that you have the skills to use to become a great teacher: solid subject knowledge, explanation skills and determination (off the top of my head).

Depends on the university - there is a difference between a PCE and a PGCE. At my university it was 40 for a level six pass and 50 for a level 7 pass. If you achieved 40 out of 60 masters credits (2 out of 3 essays at 50+) then you receive a PGCE. If you achieved 40-49 in 2 or more essays, you would receive a PCE.

If you're a physicist, the vice-chancellor will probably roll a red carpet down the road and drive in his Rolls Royce to come and pick you up for the interview. I wouldn't worry.

I loved reading this!

Yeah, I was assuming they meant on a standard PGCE at masters level since most are. It really annoys me how much disparity there is between courses in this sense because if I don't pass my next two essays I only get QTS, not even PCE even though I am like 4 marks off 50. Yet if I went to another university in the area I'd get something at least. It's really frustrating. And you only need 40 credits for a PGCE, we need 60. Surely that type of thing should be universal. Gaaaaah. I have no trust in my university whatsoever to guide me through my resubmissions so I'm getting ready for the worst

Hello lovely teachers

I will be starting my PGCE in September and would like to ask a few questions, if that's ok?

1, Which type of folders/files have you found most useful?
2, Has anyone found a planner/diary that they have found to be super special
3, Have you any other tips for stationary? Is there anything you have found invaluable throughout the year?

Oooh one more question: have any of you needed to refer back to any of your undergrad work?

I have skim read a lot of pages in this thread and I don't 'think' I have seen anything that has put me off My main concern is being able to get home at a reasonable hour because I have 4 children, 2 of them will be in after-school club. They are booked in until 6pm but I am really hoping I can collect them early each day.

I'm starting to get excited about September (and a teeny bit nervous).

Thats really reassuring to hear, asking to teach a lesson, or portion is an amazing idea thanks! Im trying to get primary school experience (although im applying for secondary, broad experience would be good) but no primary schools are replying

Hello lovely teachers

I will be starting my PGCE in September and would like to ask a few questions, if that's ok?

1, Which type of folders/files have you found most useful?
2, Has anyone found a planner/diary that they have found to be super special
3, Have you any other tips for stationary? Is there anything you have found invaluable throughout the year?

Oooh one more question: have any of you needed to refer back to any of your undergrad work?

I have skim read a lot of pages in this thread and I don't 'think' I have seen anything that has put me off My main concern is being able to get home at a reasonable hour because I have 4 children, 2 of them will be in after-school club. They are booked in until 6pm but I am really hoping I can collect them early each day.

I'm starting to get excited about September (and a teeny bit nervous).

Thats really reassuring to hear, asking to teach a lesson, or portion is an amazing idea thanks! Im trying to get primary school experience (although im applying for secondary, broad experience would be good) but no primary schools are replying

1. I used a normal A4 folder for each class I taught, so I could stick all the resources (if pupils claimed to not have them) inside and a seating plan on the back so I would always have it in the classroom. This served me well and made everything really easy to organise. I also used 2 A4 Lever Arch files to store my old teaching things - lesson plans, resources etc. - once I'd finished a term, and for the notes/evidence I'd collected on the course. Lots of people do things in all sorts of ways, so it's about finding something that works for you and sticking with it.

2. I would recommend an A4 planner, as A5 just doesn't have enough space to write down any details at all, particularly is you also want to use it as a markbook (you will). As stated above, some schools issue planners to trainees, and some don't. Once again a lot is personal preference, but I haven't found one I've massively liked to will be watching for responses too.

3. For me, red pens and whiteboard markers have been a must - I lose so many of them that it's always nice to have a supply in a pocket/bag somewhere. If you're that sort of teacher, stickers/stamps can be a nice touch (it's worked very well for some of my peers). One thing I really wish I had is a planner that displayed the weeks to put on my desk, just so I could make little to-do lists and remember all the non-teaching things I had to do.

I used some of my undergraduate work to talk to pupils about what it's like to study physics at university, but not really beyond that.

You shouldn't have to worry about getting out at a suitable time - most teaching work can be done at home provided you're organised.

A4 level arch files will become your best friend! I filled up about 5 of them over the course of the year :')
Depending on your school, they may give you a planner - some do, some don't. Both of my placements gave me a planner
Highlighters, post it notes and those sticky tab things! They've been the three most useful things. I also marked in bright felt tips - it was really easy to see for the pupils and it was also really obvious to my department/parents/slt that I had marked their books.

I haven't needed to refer back to it as such - because I'm history though, I ended up going through some old essays and picking up quotes to add to my lessons from various sources

Oh another question - sorry!

Is it easier/better to use plastic wallets in the files or just hole punch and stick it in?

Can you tell I'm bored now I've finished uni
I am going to get hold of a couple of the texts to read through: Oliver Twist; A Christmas Carol; Jekyll and Hyde; Of Mice and Men; and Blood Brothers seem to be regular texts used in schools.

I'd say just hole punch and stick it in! Our tutor stated that she hated plastic wallets when we were doing our final portfolio

Oh another question - sorry!

Is it easier/better to use plastic wallets in the files or just hole punch and stick it in?

Can you tell I'm bored now I've finished uni
I am going to get hold of a couple of the texts to read through: Oliver Twist; A Christmas Carol; Jekyll and Hyde; Of Mice and Men; and Blood Brothers seem to be regular texts used in schools.

Primary can be tough, especially at this time of year. Most courses ask for you to complete primary school experience once accepted onto the PGCE anyway, so I wouldn't worry too much. My advice is to start asking for summer experience around christmas time - I started around March and it took a lot of schools before I was accepted for primary school experience. If you're in the area still, picking the primary school you attended will make it more likely they accept you.



1. I used a normal A4 folder for each class I taught, so I could stick all the resources (if pupils claimed to not have them) inside and a seating plan on the back so I would always have it in the classroom. This served me well and made everything really easy to organise. I also used 2 A4 Lever Arch files to store my old teaching things - lesson plans, resources etc. - once I'd finished a term, and for the notes/evidence I'd collected on the course. Lots of people do things in all sorts of ways, so it's about finding something that works for you and sticking with it.

2. I would recommend an A4 planner, as A5 just doesn't have enough space to write down any details at all, particularly is you also want to use it as a markbook (you will). As stated above, some schools issue planners to trainees, and some don't. Once again a lot is personal preference, but I haven't found one I've massively liked to will be watching for responses too.

3. For me, red pens and whiteboard markers have been a must - I lose so many of them that it's always nice to have a supply in a pocket/bag somewhere. If you're that sort of teacher, stickers/stamps can be a nice touch (it's worked very well for some of my peers). One thing I really wish I had is a planner that displayed the weeks to put on my desk, just so I could make little to-do lists and remember all the non-teaching things I had to do.

I used some of my undergraduate work to talk to pupils about what it's like to study physics at university, but not really beyond that.

You shouldn't have to worry about getting out at a suitable time - most teaching work can be done at home provided you're organised.

I love plastic wallets for everything as I like to keep stuff an it keeps better, plus stops corners curling and holes ripping. But it really is personal preference... They seem to be a love hate thing for lots of people. One of my tutors hates them!

I will warn you that if you use them, you will get through a lot... I think I used about 500?

For planners think about how you're going to use it too. I got a page to day diary as I thought I'd need the room,but actually ended up not writing many details in it and then not using it, as I didn't like not being able to see a weekly overview. Also I would never personally have an A4 as I wouldn't want to carry it around. But if you want to be pretty comprehensive with what you include then you would certainly need an A4 day to page one.

Afraid I can't comment on the mark sheets thing as I was early years. I used computerised/printed mark sheets for my KS1 things, and didn't use them much tbh, and for early years its all about individual learning records so mark sheets are not a thing!

Xxx

Posted from TSR Mobile