Teacher Training Applications FAQ- Updated for 2021!

Glad you found it useful- good luck with your application.

Do remember that it's better to have a strong application later in the cycle than a weak one right at the start, so make sure you have enough school experience etc before applying.

Thank you for the advice 😊

Yes I do have enough experience, I think.

I’ve completed CACHE Level 3 Diploma in Specialist Support for Teaching and Learning in Schools. I’ve done placement in my local primary schools in year 1, 2, 4 and 5 for a year.

I don’t mind doing more volunteer work in primary school, but kind of hard with Covid 😔

I’m doing my MSc this year so that’s my priority aswell!

When did you do your diploma? Usually, unis will want experience in the last two years, but they might make an exception this year.

It does sound like you've got plenty of experience though!

Yeah, I understand. Hence why I’m trying to get more current experience 😔

I did my Diploma before I started my undergraduate degree. So, 2017.

I originally wanted to do Primary Education with QTS but then found out I can do PGCE. So, I chose the later route to keep my options open.

Thanks for the advice, I do appreciate it.

I just need to receive my MSc timetable and work my work experience around that if I manage to get it. Due to Covid 😔

I also need to find a part time job lol!

It's very tricky. Given the circumstances, experience in 2017 (as you have a lot of it) will probbaly be fine. But talk to unis before you apply. They will likely reassure you.

Hello all and first of all an enormous thank you SarcAndSpark for setting up this FAQ thread. I might have missed something in the FAQ section, but I have a quick question if that's ok? I hope here is appropriate.

If one receives an 'unconditional' offer when it comes to PGCEs, does that mean that the interview is largely a 'formality'? (Not to dismiss its importance, it's still hugely important for first impressions and setting up a good relationship). Or does it mean that the offer is unconditional in regards to grade and yet the interview will still dictate the final outcome.

This might be a better question for individual admissions however I would rather like to ask here first.

Thank you again and in advance,
Best regards,
Wise.

Good Evening SarcAndSpark,

Thank you for your extremely punctual reply!

I have not received any offer (which I'm fine with given that I have been holding off applying until the October applications open). Therefore all hypothetical for now.

Thank you again!
Best regards,
Wise.

Thank you so much for the information. I'll start prepping for that now as best I can. Mostly by reviewing the national curriculum to refresh my knowledge.

Best regards.

Thank you. I spent five years working in a school but fresh experience would certainly good, especially getting some experience of education within the context of Covid and how it's going to shape the future of education. Though you're absolutely correct in saying that might be a challenge. I think I'll reach out to a couple of old contacts for perhaps a week or so shadowing. I've certainly missed the classroom!

All the best.

Good morning and apologies for the delayed reply!

My experience ended immediately prior to the start of my degree, therefore as of the interview process, approx. 2.5 years ago. However, I did participate in "PAL" - Peer Assisted Learning whilst at University, but it was experience outside of the secondary school age range in addition to being incredibly part-time (1hr 'facilitating' and 30min planning per week) so probably not as relevant.

I was only ever planning on working as a T.A for a year but ultimately fell in love with the job. It was an absolutely incredible experience getting to help and assist students either with AEN or without and see them grow as people and finally fly the nest and pursue their goals and dreams. Add in the incredible team we had which possessed a real can-do attitude towards all students and it was nothing short of life changing in terms of my perspective about working in education and becoming a teacher!

Best regards.

I'm currently tutoring year 11 pupils that have fallen behind because of Covid. Maybe you could do something similar?

Either way you have a lot more experience than I do haha, I'm sure you'll be just fine with your applications.

Does anyone know what exactly will show up on the enhanced DBS check? I have a mental health condition and while I'm perfectly fit to teach I'm worried it might put schools and unis off.

Thank you so much for the kind words Nicalibres, they are much appreciated! Tutoring students is an excellent idea and certainly something for me to consider.

In regards to your question about enhanced DBS. It's unlikely that mental health conditions will come up unless you have had any direct interactions with police because of it and anything shared with your doctor remains confidential with very few exceptions. At least, that's the interpretation I gleaned from this website: https://clearcheck.co.uk/mental-health-dbs/ But best to take it with a pinch of salt until smarter folks than I can get back to you with a waterproof answer.

Best regards and best of luck for your teaching applications!

In regards to University selection it has mostly been about the type and number of schools they will send you to. So I've picked Cambridge because according to what I read, they like to place you in a minimum of three different schools throughout the PGCE course. Moreover, it did mention about them aiming at non-selective state schools, which is very much my background as a student and as a teaching assistant.

I think having that wide range of experiences would really benefit me in the long run given my five years were within one school. Nevertheless it was great as I saw several head teachers come and ago, with the last one utterly transforming the school and its behaviour policy, it was a night and day difference. In the long run I'd certainly like to attend schools and help set up similar policies to help teachers teach, and most importantly, for the students to learn. Given the competitive nature of history teaching jobs, every little helps!

I've got Exeter and Durham as solid backups and hopefully will be able to get my foot in the door for one of these establishments.

How about you? What merits have you been judging the courses on?

Best regards.

Those are great choices, nice!

I don't think I'll be a competitive applicant - I've yet to complete my BA but I'm looking at a 2.2 or low 2.1 and I don't have a lot of experience. My top choice is Bristol, both because of the course and the city. I'm not sure where else I'll apply, maybe Sheffield or Birmingham. There's so much to consider and a lot of people end up living in the area they did their PGCE so I want to pick a place that suits me. I've also got a boyfriend looking to do a masters and ideally we want to end up at the same uni. He likes Durham and York so I'm looking into those as well.

Teaching at non-selective state schools is what I want to do too, I grew up in a disadvantaged part of London and while I did pretty ok for myself I saw so many of my classmates' potential go to waste because we didn't have the right teachers and resources.