Discovering Higher and Degree Apprenticeships with UWE Bristol, get free advice >>

PGCE 2014 Applications (NOT FOR SPECIFIC INTERVIEW TASK DISCUSSIONS)

Scroll to see replies

Hi guys!

Is anyone applying to Birmingham for the general primary?

Also, when we write about experience, I worked with both key stage 1 and 2, and I enjoyed more working with ks2? Should I mention this in my personal statement?

Thank you :smile:

Reply 1321

brown shuga

Original post by Airfairy

People have asked this before and apparently it varies every year, but it won't be midnight. Even when it opens it has been known to crash and so it can be delayed even then. I don't think you'll be able to do it before you go away, but a few days difference is nothing.

the recommend font is verdana, size1.

Reply 1322

Airfairy

Original post by brown shuga

the recommend font is verdana, size1.

Did you mean to reply to me? It was someone else asking about font. Although I think you mean a different size too, not size 1! :tongue:

I think it was 11.

Reply 1323

brown shuga

Original post by Airfairy

Did you mean to reply to me? It was someone else asking about font. Although I think you mean a different size too, not size 1! :tongue:

I think it was 11.

Oh sorry

, lol it is my first time here. Size 11, it's the stress of the personal statment and dissertation on top of it

Reply 1324

womanonamission

Original post by womanonamission

It says this on the UCAS website, so i'm not sure if we have to use a specific font?!

3. Format

You can use up to 4,000 characters or 47 lines of text (including spaces and blank lines).
We recommend you write your statement first and then copy and paste into your online application (but watch out for the character and line count – the processor might get different values because it doesn't count tabs or paragraphs).
When you add to your online application click 'save' regularly because it will time out after 35 minutes of inactivity.
If you want to send any more information you can ask unis and colleges if they'll accept further details – if they say yes you should send it direct to them (not us) once we've sent you your Welcome letter (so you can include your Personal ID).

I phoned UCAS and the lady said VERDANA 11 or 12

Reply 1325

womanonamission

Original post by brown shuga

Oh sorry

, lol it is my first time here. Size 11, it's the stress of the personal statment and dissertation on top of it

Thank you! And oh bless you with your workload, good luck with it all! x

Reply 1326

Teechuh

On the subject of references I could do with some advice. I've been teaching English in South Korea for the past three years and I will be putting my boss and either my co-teacher, or the parents of one of my private students, down as references. I feel like I have to put my boss down (I've been out of Uni for more than five years and I'll be applying for Schools Direct as well as PGCE) but I'm worried as his English isn't always perfect. Also is it going to hurt my chances if neither of my referees are from the UK? Would I be better off finding someone back home? These are people who have worked with me as a teacher and I'd like to put them down as I know they'll give me a good reference but I don't want to do it if it comes across as a negative. Any thoughts are appreciated.

Reply 1327

Airfairy

Original post by womanonamission

I phoned UCAS and the lady said VERDANA 11 or 12

It would be nice if they said either 11 or 12, as lines will be added to mine if it's 12 not 11!

Reply 1328

andrea199

Original post by brown shuga

Hiya, I am applying to Birmingham :smile:

I wouldn't just because you will probably have placements in both, and they may ask you why you didn't choose a course where you specialize in KS2.

Reply 1329

alexhall1993

Hello,
I am planning on applying for some PGCE Secondary Mathematics courses. Does anybody know roughly how popular this is, and do I need to submit my application off by tomorrow to stand a chance!?
Thanks a lot :smile:

Reply 1330

Kk2k13

Anyone else wanting to specialise in Modern Languages in Primary? Also, you putting capitals for classes e.g. Year One?

x

Reply 1331

Deja Vu

Original post by Airfairy

It would be nice if they said either 11 or 12, as lines will be added to mine if it's 12 not 11!

You don't need to worry about the font or font size - use this tool to check your line count instead: http://maccery.com/ps/

It uses the same characters per line limit as UCAS, and the same total line count limit/character limit.

Reply 1332

Feartheunknown

Original post by risteard

That's where I did mine. Post comp admittedly. Quality of teaching is very variable...looks good on a cv though. Probably the best college in the country for teacher training.

That's a shame about the varying teaching there but to be honest I was only applying there for the name :tongue:

Reply 1333

magic_box

Ok, after having serious thoughts about this I now think I'm just going to apply to 2 unis in Apply 1 as they are the places I really would love to go to and want to throw everything into them.
My third option was going to be a SCITT/Schools Direct place further away from home but the more I think about it the more I know I would prefer the PGCE option at these particular Unis at this time.

Scared that this risky strategy may leave me with nothing but applying for something for the sake of putting a third option down probably isn't smart either...

(edited 10 years ago)

Reply 1334

Captainconehead

Quick question regarding the personal statement. Is everyone just inputting as much information in as possible or are you leaving space for clear gaps showing a new paragraph starting?

My statement flows and looks much neater with typical paragraphs included but this puts me 6 lines over!

If I just cram it all in as wall big wall of text I'm bang on 47 lines?!

I would much rather it be more visually striking but obviously I would compromise this for more information yet the biggest fear I have is that the providers may think I don't know when to input paragraphs properly when really its just that I'm desperate to make every word count!

Any feedback would be great!

Good luck to all those applying.

(edited 10 years ago)

Reply 1335

xxstace123xx

They will understand that you need all the lines and will appreciate the words more than the format!

Just indent :smile:

Original post by Captainconehead

Reply 1336

kpwxx

Original post by Kk2k13

Anyone else wanting to specialise in Modern Languages in Primary? Also, you putting capitals for classes e.g. Year One?

x

I don't think I did... technically they shouldn't have them, iirc. I searched and figured it out somehow (it's hard to tell as you could look at it as specific or general). However, I wouldn't worry too much about this. A quick google reveals that different school websites use both; I think the most important thing is that you are consistent... don't switch between capitalising and not capitalising!!!

You could always look on your potential unis' websites and find a reference to the years, and just go with that.

Original post by magic_box

It sounds like you've made a decision to suit you, congrats :smile:

Original post by alabelle

PS has anyone noticed a possible change to wording on the UCAS reference page? It says that "If you're providing a reference from a school where you have been employed or have done classroom observation, it should generally come from the headteacher."

This doesn't seem as strict as everyone was saying before. Possibly it means that we're able to use another teacher if we have to. I'd still check with individual providers though.

Hmm, yeah, you're right! That is definitely a change in wording! I guess they had so many people (perhaps those on this thread lol) phoning them about it that they decided to change it. But regardless, phoning the uni is the best way to be clear about what THEY specifically want.

xxxxx

Reply 1337

Juichiro

Anyone can help me,

I am planning to do a MFL Secondary PGCE.

So far my experience:

- Language Assistant at a school (from October till the end of the academic year): I assist the teacher delivering the lessons, I work with the children myself and I observe the teacher delivering the lessons and very soon I will be delivering my own lessons

- Reading volunteer (sort of youth club) in another school: I basically act as a role model for a number of secondary students, we read and discuss books, I talk about their goals and how to achieve them and give encourage them to overcome life obstacles as well

Is this enough?
---------------------------------------
I ask this because I have 2 other opportunities to gain experience:

- Language Assistant at another school

- School Experience Programme (SEP)
------------------------------------------

However, I would like to commit most of my time to a relatively small number of volunteering than committing less time to a larger group of volunteering options. What do you think? Am I a strong candidate with the Language Assistant and the Reading Volunteer thing?

Reply 1338

Juichiro

"Most providers expect you to have at least two weeks' classroom experience before you begin teacher training." I have read this on UCAS.
Does this mean 14 days volunteering? Because so far I only have 6 days.

Reply 1339

swarfliam

Original post by Juichiro

I would assume its ten working days. Either way, 6 isn't ideal but if you have more coming up in the next few months make sure to mention it in your personal statement!