How's your PGCE going?

Hiya, just finished my first week of my PGCE at UCL IOE.

I'm loving it so far!
We're having these big sessions in the morning (with all PGCE students which is around 700) on sessions about teaching in London schools and working with SEND pupils, safeguarding, learning about the different types of schools there are, etc.
In the afternoon, we go into our specialist subjects. There are only 25 of us doing chemistry so it is very small.
Like you said, the workload isn't too intense - it's mainly a lot of paperwork and reading and small bits to upload, but it's not too difficult.

The days are very long and travelling into London is the most exhausting aspect to be honest.

I'm looking forward to going back into school for my placement 1 though!

Hi

I did my PGCE last year, and yes at the start there's a lot of big group lectures. As time goes on, you will hopefully do more in subject groups and tutorial groups which will give you some more individual focus, but you're right in thinking that on placement is where you'll get most of your individual feedback, as you'll have a dedicated mentor and work with other teachers one to one.

Uni isn't too intense in general- it's when you're on placement that things get really busy.

Good luck and feel free to join us on the chat thread here:
https://www.thestudentroom.co.uk/showthread.php?t=5536030

Does anybody here have any advice


Hey there!

Would you mind if I sent you a PM? Its regarding UCL PGCEs but it doesn't fit the nature of this thread and I don't want to hijack the conversation direct haha...

First half term done! It’s gone so quickly!
I’m doing a SCITT PGCE so I’ve been in school earlier on and for longer. We started with two weeks of centre based training then a week in school, back in centre for a week then in school. After half term it’s 5 weeks in school then centre based training which is all the exciting stuff like PE And gymnastics (Primary)
The school part has been the most exhausting and I’ve finished with a thick cold, laryngitis and cold sores (which is typical of autumn term in a school!)
Time is speeding by but I am really enjoying it, I’ve worked in schools for years so I understand the pressures to an extent.
Yes it’s full on, but my life was full on before anyway so I’ve not noticed a huge amount of difference other than writing assignments on top of that!

Congrats on getting through your first half term!

It's really important to protect your voice in teaching, so if you do get laryngitis and it's causing your issues, do make sure you aren't straining your voice. This will be the time when you pick up all the illnesses, and it is ok to to take time off if you need it!

Things do ramp up through the year, so be wary of over committing yourself next term (factor in an increased teaching timetable, more assignments and applying to jobs)!

Thanks 😊
I’ve been able to rest my voice over the last few days and now it’s come back but still I won’t be over doing it.
luckily we only have another two assignments to do (less masters credits) so It’s not too bad. I have vowed to myself to only do what needs to be done and none of the extra unmarked stuff.