PGCE Applications 2016

You need less that 10 days. Oxford only wanted 1, Exeter wants 10.

Hello everyone. I have interview for secondary physics and mathematics PGCE with UCL and Brunel on 13th and 14th respectively. I have experience in tutoring a year 7 student but have no school experience otherwise. Do I stand a chance? Has anyone been accepted without school experience?

This may have been posted before, so apologies in advance.

I had my first PGCE interview today for Secondary Chemistry at MMU (I chose it as it was close to me). I felt the interview went well in terms of teaching, but the area I screwed up was the subject knowledge questions, mainly biology and physics questions. It's been 4 years since I graduated (Biochem) and haven't touched anything specific in Science since just recently, where I actually work as a Science tutor, teaching classes on weekends. I did do some revision on certain topics, but the questions asked did stump me at some points. Clearly I needed to improve my knowledge, and thought I would be able to do so by going on the booster courses or subject knowledge enhancement courses. I came home and recieved an email almost an hour later saying I was unsuccessful due to insufficient subject knowledge. Is this often the case? Would they (the uni) not offer the opportunity to go on a booster course at all? Do they not look at the circumstances rather than the fact that my subject knowledge was low? I was interviewed with two other candidates who are still at University, so it's obvious they're subject knowledge would be at its optimal.

What is my next step now? I have two more interviews next week (in a span of two days), through the school direct scheme. Is the interview process the same as what I went through at MMU? Is it tougher? What advice can people give me apart from improve subject knowledge (believe me, I'm going to eat, sleep and drink nothing but Science these next couple of days).

What if I fail all three interviews? Can I apply for other positions or is that it for me? I honestly can't see myself going into anything else other than teaching. Should I change specialisms to make it easier for me?

Hi I got accepted onto a secondary maths pgce last year without any school experience they must have really liked me . But then I've done a little bit of tutoring and my subject knowledge is really strong.

Hey everyone,

I have an interview at St Marys for a Secondary PGCE Chemistry and need to write a 3 minute presentation about why it's an important part of the curriculum. That part's fine, but I also need to take a prop to help grab the audience's interest and I have NO idea what to take!

Has anyone done a presentation like that before that could help me out please?

Thanks!

What subject knowledge questions were you asked? If I am asked physics and maths questions only I will be sort of okay. But, they ask questions from chemistry, biology and computing as well- which is a shocker!

Hi you could ask where you applied to do the pgce if the uni does a subject knowledge enhancement course. A few people on my maths pgce studied a subject knowledge enhancement course prior to starting the pgce. I'm not sure what the interview will be like for schools direct but just try your best and make sure you learn some of the stuff that's on the science national curriculum beforehand.

They actually do. They spoke about it during the interview, saying it is an 8 week booster course for people who need to improve their subject knowledge. I asked for feedback and the feedback received was to spend a year working in a school as a TA and also improve my subject knowledge, as I was lacking in that and school experience. However, I don't see why I can't spend a few weeks in a school and go on the booster course as well.

Hi all,

I was just wondering if anyone is having second thoughts about starting their PGCE this year? I was so excited about starting, but worried and completely lost now. Not sure if its nerves, but got myself into a mess and wondering if any one else feels similar?

They actually do. They spoke about it during the interview, saying it is an 8 week booster course for people who need to improve their subject knowledge. I asked for feedback and the feedback received was to spend a year working in a school as a TA and also improve my subject knowledge, as I was lacking in that and school experience. However, I don't see why I can't spend a few weeks in a school and go on the booster course as well.

Hi all,

I was just wondering if anyone is having second thoughts about starting their PGCE this year? I was so excited about starting, but worried and completely lost now. Not sure if its nerves, but got myself into a mess and wondering if any one else feels similar?

Hey that's quite harsh they should have allowed a couple days school experience in addition to the SKE course. However think of the all the positives that gaining a full year of classroom experience could do, you'll gain confidence, it will help your subject knowledge. You'll learn a lot about how to teach and how to manage disruptive behaviour. I don't think I was ready to start teaching when I started the pgce so I'm currently taking time out to gain more school experience working as a TA. I really struggled on first placement and it was probably due to lack of confidence.

Tbh, I've been teaching for the past year (mainly English as a second language to adults and recently Science to children). I've been offered quite a lot of jobs to teach abroad (in both Science and English) but I turned them down as I wanted to do my PGCE this year (it's better in the long term to do a PGCE then go abroad, more opportunities). I guess if I'm not successful this year I'll just go abroad to teach.

De nada! I know how difficult it is but if you send your qualifications to NARIC as soon as you get your degree you should be fine. Don't give up though and if by any chance you don't manage to get on this year, try for next year if it's really what you want to do.
If you have any more questions just ask and I'll be happy to help. Saludos desde Valencia

I know but I really want to start this year, I'm already a year "behind" because of studying abroad too much, and if I don't I wouldn't know what to do. I don't want a gap year...
By the way, ALSO FOR INTERNATIONAL APPLICANTS, I was preparing my documents and was wondering if they asked for all the docs listed in the pdf, like the birth certificate. It's probably going to be in Spanish, as well as the certificado de antecedentes penales. What about the P45/P60 Statement (from last 12 months) or National Insurance card? I don't have any of that...I'm going to try asking them but if they haven't replied to the email I sent on March 24 I bet they're not going to reply to this one.

I think international applicants refers to students from outside the EU so you come under EU students. I have a British passport but I have lived in Spain all my life so I had to apply as an EU student and didn't have to provide my birth certificate, P45/P60 statement or my national insurance number (this is probably for non EU students to prove they have the right to live and work in the UK).
You will need your certificado de antecedentes penales for your school experience placement but that is easy to get in Spain. You will probably have to get it translated though but you can sort that out in Spain.
It must be really annoying when you don't get a reply to your emails, The University of East Anglia where I applied to are so helpful - I sent them loads of emails and I always got a reply the same day, maybe you should try other options ??