PGCE 2014 Applications (NOT FOR SPECIFIC INTERVIEW TASK DISCUSSIONS)

You would put the headteacher of the school you do your experience at and a uni tutor ideally. Did you never go to any lectures or seminars? No tutorials? If not, put your employer down, but an academic reference is preferred.
I assume you're applying for primary? It is very competitive so look at the entry requirements for courses and see who will accept you with a 2.2.

I am a little worried about the new ucas system for gaining references, it says that they require a reference from a Head teacher from the school you gained experience. In reality I don't feel that a head teacher is as qualified to comment on my suitability to teach through not seeing me in the classroom, I would like a teacher to provide a reference someone you can comment on my experience.

I've got a similar issue.

I've been lucky that one of the schools who gave me work experience really liked me and we got on really well, which means that after I finished my placement there before the summer they asked me to come back this year on and off whenever I was available from uni, including on a school trip to Amsterdam later this month and to come back again in the summer term this year.

They have been changing to an Academy through the summer and have now got a new headteacher (the other has completely retired). The new head has said she'll do a reference but she's refusing to include what I did before she was head (so the three months I did before summer) as she didn't know me then. I can't get in contact with the old head.

The alternative is the deputy head who can comment on the whole period but UCAS says it must be a headteacher! :/ it might look dodgy as well as the places I'm applying are local and know about the changes and the new head, so they will know she's commenting on me solely on about a month's worth of her being there (and most of that time I have been at university!). I worked my butt off during those 3 months and I don't want it to be for nothing!

Totally agree with this. What I've done is contacted my chosen teacher first, then asked the head if it can go though him but the teacher will write the reference.

It is stupid though. Surely they realise a lot of people would have had no dealings with the head?

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Is MFL Secondary PGCE competitive?

Well, it's currently a shortage subject according to the government. However they haven't released the new list of shortage subjects (and their bursaries) for 2014 entry so that could have changed. But it's not particularly competitive no. That's not to stay it still won't be hard to get on.

So will unis prefer to not to fill all their places than bring aboard some people about which they don't totally feel suit for the course?

I am a little worried about the new ucas system for gaining references, it says that they require a reference from a Head teacher from the school you gained experience. In reality I don't feel that a head teacher is as qualified to comment on my suitability to teach through not seeing me in the classroom, I would like a teacher to provide a reference someone you can comment on my experience.

This is definitely a good shout, I don't know why they've changed the rule, but many institutions will only send references through the person in charge even if someone else writes them. Eg. For general uni applications your class teachers will comment but usually it will be sent from the head of sixth form. And job references from PGCE providers are usually sent from the head of school but written by your tutor.

So charbear, could you get a teacher to write yours and put out through the head? Also, why can't you contact the old head? I'd also recommend contacting the unis you're applying to to discuss the issue with them.

Xxx

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12 places??? That's crazy! How can a university only offer 12 places for a subject?

Have decided where I want to apply for a PGCE but it would be good if we could look up what there will be for PGCEs/School Direct before the 1st. :/

12 places??? That's crazy! How can a university only offer 12 places for a subject?

It's so annoying! I know where I want to apply, but due to this weird system this year where places can open at different times, I don't know if I can apply to all three of them if they aren't open, and nowhere is saying anything yet. The system is so behind this year!


I don't want to worry you but I think around that number is pretty standard. Ones I've looked at have had about 17.