PGCE 2014 Applications (NOT FOR SPECIFIC INTERVIEW TASK DISCUSSIONS)

is it worth mentioning that i am doing my dissertation on education reform? Just thought it may show an active interest in education policy.

i'm doing my disseration on the national curriculum and have mentioned it in mine

Lastly, before you become obsessed about the PGCE and being accepted on to the course (LIke I did!) take some time to truly analyse your options; the course will be one of the most gruelling tasks of your life. I currently want to quit but I am determined to peservere as I worked so hard to get my place. Despite understanding that many people talked about their 'PGCE hell' I deluded myself to think I would cope with it ... Evidently I am not and I do not want anyone else to suffer and feel physically sick on account they didn't think about their realistic strengths.
Good luck guys -

Hi guys,

I really need some advice. I want to teach English at secondary level. I have a law degree, obtained in 2008. Since then I have been working in a number of various jobs. I have now decided that I would love to teach English. So far, i have started work experience in the English department, at a local school. I have the following A'levels, Law, Religious Studies and Government and Politics.

What chance do I have of getting onto a Pgce or a Schools Direct place?

I am from the Bradford area, so if anyone knows of any local providers or further info, please help.

Emma

Hey. I was wondering if anybody could help me! Im thinking of applying for the PGCE COURSE FOR 2014 but I need to resit my English Language as I have a D at the moment. Any ideas about fee, places in the west midlands (Birmingham ideally).

Thanks

Bear in mind that most PGCEs will cover more than just key stage one so you will have to be happy to do others too even if they aren't your favourite.

Was it just the ability that you didn't like? If so, remember that reception have just started and many of them will be new to being in education. By the end of the year it will be completely different (maybe take a look at "Development matters in the eyfs" which lists typical development for a child, especially the "early learning goals" for each area as these are where children are "expected" to be at the end of reception.


On the other hand if its the structure that put you off (based on Chns interests, play based etc) then, while I'd encourage you to look in to why that structure is used (as it can also be great for key stage 1) early years may not be for you.

Good luck with your KS1 experience, they are lovely and after early years seem so grown up!!!

Xxx

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As someone else said, you'll have to do a placement in the previous or following key stage, no matter your preference, so don't go in thinking you can pick and choose the specific year group. I'm training just now and while my main placement will be in KS2, a) I have no control over WHERE in KS2, and b) I'm in year one just now for my first assessed placement, regardless of my personal preferences.

So even if your final placement was going to be in Y1/2, you would also have to do a placement in either early years/nursery or KS2.

While working you also don't always have control over exactly where you end up. As staffing needs change you may well be moved to a different year group than that which you originally joined the school to teach.

HI,
As a current PGCE student, I just wanted to quickly give you some advice and save you some unnecessary stress ( I am speaking from a Secondary English perspective)
- Do not overload yourself with educational policies as in my interview they were not mentioned once!
- Do not try to memorise national curriculum stuff - You just need to have a fair idea
- Personal Statements are a big part but do not try to fit in educational policy for the sake of it. Make it about you and your experiences. Mention being a reflective person as it will be a key aspect of your PGCE!

Lastly, before you become obsessed about the PGCE and being accepted on to the course (LIke I did!) take some time to truly analyse your options; the course will be one of the most gruelling tasks of your life. I currently want to quit but I am determined to peservere as I worked so hard to get my place. Despite understanding that many people talked about their 'PGCE hell' I deluded myself to think I would cope with it ... Evidently I am not and I do not want anyone else to suffer and feel physically sick on account they didn't think about their realistic strengths.
Good luck guys -

Oh yeah, I know that, and I'm totally fine with doing other year groups but I'm pretty sure that I'm interested in that age group. Also, it really wasn't that I didn't like those years, as I really did. If anything, it was more that there were aspects I liked from each of those years and that I felt that year 1/2 would be a better compromise. But as I said, I haven't yet had a placement involving year 1 and 2 so I'm not sure yet.

I could very well end up preferring Reception, there was a lot that I enjoyed when working with them. I think it was just that there was very little actual 'teaching' when it came to conveying facts and information, but as you say, I was with them just as they'd started school and the first two weeks are probably very different to the last ones. I'm actually hoping to go back to the same class later in the year to see how they've progressed.

Hi there,

Thank you for your advice! I will certainly take it on board!

This may sound like an awful question, but can I ask what is so stressful about the PGCE because I have heard this so many times and I'm panicking.

Is it the sheer amount of work? The lack of time?

I look forward to hearing from you x

Does anyone have a link to the list of institutions that will be opening on the 21st, I want to see if the list has updated since I saw it last.

Yeah I second the above query. People keep talking about seeing what's on the list and what's not but I can't find anything anywhere.

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