Primary Education 2013 ?!

Hai I just wanted to wish you good luck, seen as I am also a Swindonian, and had an interview @ UWE! (I'm in Newport now though, look in to it if you like Wales)

You're going to have such great fun if it's anything like it is here Just finished my first year and WOW. Intense but amazing.

Oooh first one I've found here from Swindon! Thank you What did you think of UWE? I'm personally not sure about it right now, liked the course but the campus seemed so big! Ah do you intend to teach in Wales then?

It is HUGE, UWE. Has it's own Waterstones and everything. I suppose it depends if you enjoy being around that sort of experience, there will probably be a lot of friends to make and a lot of activities!
Newport is quite small so it has a sort of community feel, which is nice for me, i.e the campus is in a nice village.

I never first intended it, but to tell the truth I absolutely love the curriculum, they just revamped it in 2009, and it's very focussed on core skills such as thinking and communication, rather than purely focussing on the subject knowledge. It is quite different to the English Curriculum, especially in Foundation (R-Y2) so I think I will stay here, at least for the first couple of years.

It did scare me a little when I visited! Seemed a little like a hospital/train station with all the large corridors and signs everywhere. Ah I see, sounds good actually Can I ask what the interview at UWE was like and where else you applied for?

The interview was good. First of all we did a short presentation on a random topic (honestly can't remember what it was - something about valuing diversity in the classroom I think), that was with about 4 or 5 fellow interviewees plus two professors, and then we had a sort of discussion with each other about another topic, then were each asked a few individual questions. This was all in the same room and with the same people.
There was also a tour of the education faculties afterwards, which look brilliant btw!

I also applied for Brighton and Plymouth Marjon (These two have very high standards and I didn't expect to get in, which I didn't :P), as well as Oxford Brookes, which I don't think I would have gone for anyway, little too close to home!

I didn't get in to Bristol, although tbf there were 400 interviewees and 100 places! I would've chose Newport anyway, as tbh Bristol is only half an hour away from us and I just wanted to spread my wings a bit
That being said UWE does look amazing, I'm sure you'll be very happy there should you get in What A-levels are you taking?

Funnily enough Oxford Brookes is my favourite! Really liked the closeness of the campus and that it was close to home. I'm a very home-ly person I guess OB has 1000 applicants for 90 places so I'm not sure how my chances fare! That being said UWE does have great facilities! My other choice was University of Glos which has come a close second I'm waiting on results for AS Biology, Psychology, Law and Drama- carrying on the first 3 to A2 - what did you do?

They sound great. I did Sociology (A*) English Literature (B) and Psychology (C), as well as B in AS ICT and a volunteering award.
Have you done any volunteering in classrooms or otherwise? I did mine in a college for young adults with Aspergers syndrome, as well as a Primary school. They do like it if you've done things like that. Also see if your college/ sixth form offers anything like the volunteering award, makes it more formal

Are you looking to specialise in any particular Key Stage? I'm KS2.

I work part time as a Gymnastics Coach and am qualified- so age ranges about 5-10 which is ideal for Primary. This summer I did 2 weeks in a Primary School and in year 11 I taught dance to 7-11 for 6 weeks after school Hopefully that's enough experience haha! I'm hoping to teach more of the KS1

That will be more than enough then :P
Sounds good, I did 3 weeks in a Foundation classroom as part of placement, and got to admit was almost converted, they are so cute, and so keen to learn!

I love how they pick small things up and take an interest in you! At the young age they still think teachers are brilliant! Not so sure I'd want year 5/6 as they seem to have a little attitude! Their perspective on the world is soo sweet too! Any advice for Do's and Don't in interviews or personal statement?

I love 5/6 for exactly that reason! I like I'm teaching as they're transforming in to teenagers - I like having the conversation. :P Remember we'll be qualified to do both though, so if you change your mind...

In terms of the interview, just relax, be friendly with everyone, but don't be afraid to speak up and be heard, especially in a group interview - you don't want to be the shrinking violet! You'll most likely be asked to do a presentation - I had to at both UWE and Newport. There, be original! Within my small group, I was one of only 2 to do it on paper, making a kind of big poster. They like the originality and the fact I had added personal touches, even if it was scruffier looking than a powerpoint! (Powerpoints are good, I just felt they were too 'easy' for me.)

As for the PS, the most important thing I found was to not sound too 'fluffy', if you understand. As in 'Teaching would be amazing and brilliant and it's all I ever wanted to do!'. Concentrate on your achievements and qualifications, explaining on each why they are relevant. I could actually send you a copy of mine, if you wanted to have a look, obviously the content would be different but you could pick up some pointers on structure etc

Yeah that would be great- I've done a paragraph already do you mind if I send you mine to have a look at and see if on the right lines with how to phrase things?

just wondering, does the primary education course at UWE give you a QTS?
i'm thinking about applying through adjustment if they have vacancies XD

Hey, I am hoping to do Primary Education next year :-)

Not quite sure exactly yet but Winchester, Reading and Birmingham City all appeal a lot to me

Although, this thread has made me enquire about other options!

Mine would be Art, as I had toyed with the idea of doing an art degree but then realised it wasn't really for me and I just want to be a teacher!

Which one would be yours?!

Also, not heard too much except that it can be tricky to get into, as it's a very popular course since everyone really likes it but mainly waiting till the open day in October :-)!

Do you know which other unis your thinking of applying to?


This was posted from The Student Room's iPhone/iPad App

Do you know which other unis your thinking of applying to?

This was posted from The Student Room's iPhone/iPad App

I'm thinking Reading, Middlesex, Kingston, Greenwich and maybe Roehampton? Yourself?