PGCE Interview Nottingham...

Hey there all, lets just say it's a while since I visited - last time was in February, and wondering if all the regs are here or have moved on to bigger and better things. But anyway, here goes.

Have cut my holiday short, as received an offer of a PGCE interview for Secondary Chemistry at Nottingham Uni. The last PGCE interview I went to last year at Keele, basically the guy there said I was crap - so didn't get the place - but that's a long story that I consider their fault for putting me in that position. Anyways, looking for some tips plus got a few questions.

They say I MUST bring the following documents (list) amongst others my GCSE certificates for English and Maths. Now, I'm not even sure I received certificates for these, only a "statement of results" that said "This is not a certificate" on the bottom. Sure I kept it, but finding it after 10 years is going to be damned difficult. Will there likely be a big problem if I can't produce these on the day? I'm sure the exam board will have a record, but I can't even remember the specific one, or whether they're still in business.

Also, it gives a list of the format for the day. Several assessment things at the bottom of the list

"Hand written task based on issues related to science education"
"Group discussion based on the task"
"Individual interviews in which you will be set an informal subject knowledge task"

Any ideas on what these are likely to be?

Also says "...come prepared to talk about a secondary school you have visited, preferably in the past year."

This bit's rather worrying for me - I haven't really got much to speak about on this. Fact of the matter is I was trying to sort out a school placement, and the only one that replied basically asked me in for a chat, then said "We haven't got anything for you at the moment because you're not CRB checked and that'll take two weeks and we need someone right now. But we not going to CRB check you because we've nothing to offer you." So basically catch 22. I did try again later with the same school, but the person who promised to call me never did.

So basically I have no secondary teaching experience - but I have a lot of experience of teaching in a college - teaching computer skills to people of all ages. How do I show this in a more positive light?

Sorry it's long, but I'm grateful for any advice you can give.

Marcus

Reply 1

Endymion

9

Hi Marcus,

I remember you well from last year. Good to hear that you've not given up on teaching. I would recommend ringing Nottingham ASAP and explaining your situation, regarding your GCSE certificates. I would also suggest that you ring your old school and ask them what GCSE examination boards you sat. You can get replacement certificates, so don't worry.

If you haven't already, then I suggest you talk to teachers or try and spend some time in a secondary school. The latter is imperative; however, it’s also impossible at present, considering schools have now broken up for the summer. Definitely try the first though. The first task you mention will probably require you to have some knowledge of the national curriculum at Key Stages 3 and 4, as well as any current news in relation to the teaching of science. The next task will probably be a verbal extension of the writing task, to assess your confidence and oral skills. Just make sure you join in with the discussion and don't just sit there in silence. Lastly, the individual interview will be similar to the one you had at Keele. The usual questions will appear; why do you want to teach, why here, why science etc... The subject knowledge task will be easy, I'm sure. You've got a degree so this will just be informal secondary stuff. Perhaps just have a flick through a few secondary school textbooks to refresh your memory on the content of the subject at this level.

You obviously stand a good chance having got an interview. Just make sure you brush up on your revision. Good luck. :smile:

Reply 2

marcusfox

OP

16

I was actually sat in my interview when you posted your reply! :wink:

Did get a place on the waiting list for the course and was subsequently offered a guaranteed place four days after the interview. Posting the details here in the hope that it will benefit future applicants.

After two hours of searching boxes in my attic I found my GCSE statement of results (half the size of an A5 page) in with my A-level notes, and took that along. Didn't seem to be too much of a problem, and neither was the lack of secondary school practice. There were a few there who didn't seem to have any teaching practice either. Can only assume they valued my other teaching experience.

The "Written Task" was 15 minutes writing comprehension on three questions for a total of 15 minutes, don't remember the questions, but they were on aspects of teaching, science in particular. Then there was a group discussion based on what was written.

The longest part of the day were the individual interviews and waiting for others to have their interviews (we all had to remain to the end because they were giving us their decision the same day) and there were 14 of us being interviewed. They asked us all not to discuss the contents of the interview between ourselves as we would end up waiting in a room together for three hours as everyone went through their interviews.

Each interview was about 30 minutes long where they asked you the usual questions about why you were on the course, plus some fairly easy subject knowledge, describing the state of molecules in some water in a kettle before and after boiling; the difference in mass between a seed and a tree, and where this came from; and the apparent mass loss in a burning candle floating in water and the Archimedes Principle. Also they asked why students might not see it from a scientific point of view and how to explain it.

Of the 14 candidates who arrived for the interview day, 7 were accepted based on places they had available, 4 (including me) got non-guaranteed places on the waiting list, 1 was applying for the part time course and got a place on that, and 2 were rejected. One quite surprisingly as he contributed quite a lot to the group discussion.

Marcus

Reply 3

Endymion

9

Well done Marcus. Good luck with your teaching career.

Reply 4

santogold

15

Well done, Marcus. Rest until September and then enjoy the course :smile:

Reply 5

RK

TSR Community Staff

22

Well done mate, hope you enjoy the course now. It's a great thing to do :biggrin:

Reply 6

marcusfox

OP

16

Hey, thanks for the advice, but still have a lot more to do before can rest, LOL. Since I applied rather late, I still have accomodation and finance to sort out, plus a shed load of forms that the university want me to fill in when I get back from Ireland on Monday. Imagine it'll take quite a while for everything to come through, but luckily I'm not flat broke. Just be glad to get everything sorted.

Marcus

Reply 7

RK

TSR Community Staff

22

marcusfox

Hey, thanks for the advice, but still have a lot more to do before can rest, LOL. Since I applied rather late, I still have accomodation and finance to sort out, plus a shed load of forms that the university want me to fill in when I get back from Ireland on Monday. Imagine it'll take quite a while for everything to come through, but luckily I'm not flat broke. Just be glad to get everything sorted.

Marcus

There's still plenty of time to sort things out. I only go confirmation of my place around this time last year (my interview was early July, I got some sort of confirmation a week or so later and then all the forms and stuff early August I think). Everything turned out fine for me (accommodation and finances). Also, some people didn't get on the course until a fair bit later and they were sorted out too.

PGCE Interview Nottingham...

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