PGCE Applications 2016

It's been so long for me too! How can you help? Really appreciate any!

Hi I am a 49 year old mature student studying Early Childhood Studies at Stranmillis University College in Belfast, Northern Ireland. I am very keen to do a PGCE starting September 2016. There appears to only be 2 options for this in NI - PGCE in Early Years Education at Stranmillis or Primary Education at Ulster, Coleraine. I have extensive experience gained from working as a classroom assistant in the primary sector. I currently work with children with SEN in both literacy and numeracy on a one to one basis. I am also a qualified and experienced phonics practitioner. I am concerned that my age may go against me when applying. Also, I am aware that I may have to apply outside NI for courses which as a mother I would find difficult but would be willing to so to get this qualification. Any advice would be most welcome

Just tell me what you dont understand and I'll try explain it in easier terms with examples or give tips.

There was a practice question 4/5th of 165 in the non calculator part and just didn't get how to do it quickly


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4/5 = 80%, find 10%. 16.5, then times by 2 = 33 and subtract from 165.

Hey, I don't know whether I'm being over-anxious but I've sent out multiple emails to schools for some work experience a few days ago and I've still not had replies back. Should I be worried? The emails were all sent to the training school email addresses, should I have sent emails to the main school address?

They are probably really busy as it's the first week back


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I think I will probably use Miss/Mrs (might be married by then) for my school use but definitely going to use Dr for personal use! Not done all this hard work to not use it. A lot of people I talk to are surprised I am going for primary rather than secondary, especially as I could do Maths/Physics with my degree. I did the Student Associates Scheme in my final year of undergrad and was in the Maths department of a secondary school. I hated the experience to be honest!

I took a week of holiday from my PhD to get the classroom experience last year. My SEN experience was from a part time job I had during college & undergrad. I do Brownies in the evening once a week, so that doesn't impact my PhD.

I am hoping to get a job as a teaching assistant from January to summer which will give me the rest of the classroom experience I need.

What do you guys think would help improve my PGCE application?

I'm trying to make it as good as I can - reading TES and books on teaching my subject ready for an interview if I get one, getting experience of course etc.

But I'm aware that these things are competitive and there are going to be some amazing applicants gunning for the same place...

What do you guys think would help improve my PGCE application?

I'm trying to make it as good as I can - reading TES and books on teaching my subject ready for an interview if I get one, getting experience of course etc.

But I'm aware that these things are competitive and there are going to be some amazing applicants gunning for the same place...

In my experience (I have a place for this year), it seems to be having experience and reflecting on it. Whatever experience you get, keenly observe both the teacher and the classroom, and make relevant reflections in your personal statement and at interview. For example, I talked to a teacher I observed a lot about adapting teaching styles and methods to a variety of different students (be it differences in ability, interests, etc). I really reflected on that in my personal statement and they asked me a lot about it during my interview. And initially I wasn't even sure if I should bring it up! From what my interviewer said, they look more at what you've taken from your experience rather than how much you have time wise.

Also make sure you are up to date on education in general. The TES forums as well as the supplement are always good to read, and in the beginning I made loads of notes. If you are on Twitter or Facebook, you could follow a lot of related pages as well.

Is it advantageous to get a breadth of experience? I'm applying for secondary physics but some of my experience is in a primary schools and some in private schools, I think I could learn a lot in these situations eg. I found helping students who struggled the most with maths so maybe going into primary school where I cant use complex terms might help?

In my experience (I have a place for this year), it seems to be having experience and reflecting on it. Whatever experience you get, keenly observe both the teacher and the classroom, and make relevant reflections in your personal statement and at interview. For example, I talked to a teacher I observed a lot about adapting teaching styles and methods to a variety of different students (be it differences in ability, interests, etc). I really reflected on that in my personal statement and they asked me a lot about it during my interview. And initially I wasn't even sure if I should bring it up! From what my interviewer said, they look more at what you've taken from your experience rather than how much you have time wise.

Also make sure you are up to date on education in general. The TES forums as well as the supplement are always good to read, and in the beginning I made loads of notes. If you are on Twitter or Facebook, you could follow a lot of related pages as well.