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Teachers, Trainees and NQT chat thread!

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Original post by SarcAndSpark
That's all good then :smile:

Sounds like it's going to be a big change for you, but I'm sure you'll have lots of transferable skills to bring with you!


Certainly is - will be nice to be in one location for more than a few years to settle down. I am really 'excited' about the prospect of teaching, especially the sciences as I had some awesome and effective teachers at school.
Original post by Dave James
Certainly is - will be nice to be in one location for more than a few years to settle down. I am really 'excited' about the prospect of teaching, especially the sciences as I had some awesome and effective teachers at school.


I'm definitely excited about teaching sciences too. It sounds a bit idealistic but I like the idea of being able to make a concrete difference to people's lives as well, even if it's only a small one.

Being able to settle in one place will be a big bonus for you, I'm sure!
Original post by SarcAndSpark
I'm definitely excited about teaching sciences too. It sounds a bit idealistic but I like the idea of being able to make a concrete difference to people's lives as well, even if it's only a small one.

Being able to settle in one place will be a big bonus for you, I'm sure!


What books are you getting? I've been given a massive list but my mentor said the 3 separate science revision guides are sufficient.

Also, I've bought the 'Learning to Teach in the Secondary School' and I have to say its the worst book I've ever read - talk about using 1000 words to say what 10 will, in addition to wanting to use a 'big' word every sentence!
Original post by Dave James
What books are you getting? I've been given a massive list but my mentor said the 3 separate science revision guides are sufficient.

Also, I've bought the 'Learning to Teach in the Secondary School' and I have to say its the worst book I've ever read - talk about using 1000 words to say what 10 will, in addition to wanting to use a 'big' word every sentence!


So far, I've bought the ones recommended by my uni:

Science learning, Science teaching by Jerry Wellington + Gren Ireson- I've only read a few chapters, but I enjoy the way it's written!

Teaching Secondary Biology by Michael Reiss - This is an open university book, and I've read about half the chapters, so far I'm finding some more useful than others, but it has some great ideas for approaching topics. This is definitely the book I think will be most practically useful!

I've also got the Teaching Secondary Chemistry and Teaching Secondary Physics books to go with this one, but I'm ashamed to say I haven't cracked them open yet.

I've just bought Preparing to Teach in Secondary Schools by Ian Brooks and Valerie Abbott, which was also recommended by the university, but I'm not finding it as useful as the specialist science ones. It's quite dry and hard to engage with. It is only £15 on kindle, though, so less expensive.

I've also got a Biology A-level textbook from my SKE, but not sure if that will see any use next year!
I'm not using my middle name or mother's maiden name because they are bank security questions, instead i've chosen a different abbreviation of a name for my 'surname' on FB.

I'm looking around for a reading list at the moment as I'm in a shopping mood.
Original post by severnbore
I'm not using my middle name or mother's maiden name because they are bank security questions, instead i've chosen a different abbreviation of a name for my 'surname' on FB.

I'm looking around for a reading list at the moment as I'm in a shopping mood.


I've never used my middle name as security on anything- it's on my driving license so if someone has my purse, they already know it :P

I agree mother's maiden name isn't a great idea though.

If you're in a shopping mood, maybe look for some lovely new stationery too!
Reply 66
Finally got my timetable for the first week! The days are much more full on compared to Undergraduate! So excited 😁 less than a week to go!
Original post by Kanae
Finally got my timetable for the first week! The days are much more full on compared to Undergraduate! So excited 😁 less than a week to go!


Exciting!

Yes, it's definitely going to be a much more full on year compared to being an undergrad. I'm hoping that having a few years of work under my belt will mean it's not such a shock to the system!
Argh,
I’m having a wobble 😕
One week to go and I feel like a fraud! Like I don’t know enough of my subject to actually teach it! I’m reading about my subject as much as possible but the info is overwhelming I can’t remember everything!
Original post by oOLaurenOo
Argh,
I’m having a wobble 😕
One week to go and I feel like a fraud! Like I don’t know enough of my subject to actually teach it! I’m reading about my subject as much as possible but the info is overwhelming I can’t remember everything!


You're worrying too much, pupils are generally much weaker in knowledge than you might expect. Subject knowledge is much more about how to explain it simply rather than you being an expert in the field. You will pick up that knowledge as you 'train'.
Original post by oOLaurenOo
Argh,
I’m having a wobble 😕
One week to go and I feel like a fraud! Like I don’t know enough of my subject to actually teach it! I’m reading about my subject as much as possible but the info is overwhelming I can’t remember everything!


I think having a wobble is normal at this stage! Have you heard about imposter syndrome at all?

I agree that pupil's subject knowledge is often weaker than you might expect, even quite high up the school.

Don't forget you're not expected to be perfect straight away. If it was easy, you wouldn't have to do post graduate training to be a teacher!
I'm starting my teacher training after 3 years of working in a secondary school; doing SCITT training in South Yorkshire :smile:

It's been a fair while since I've done any kind of training so I'm excited but apprehensive at the same time. I'm salaried so I'd imagine my classroom experience will look slightly different to others because I already have experience and therefore I'll be kind of 'in the deep end' from day dot.

Looking forward to sharing some ideas; this next year I'll be teaching KS4 and KS5 so should be interesting and challenging!
Original post by an_end_has_a_start
I'm starting my teacher training after 3 years of working in a secondary school; doing SCITT training in South Yorkshire :smile:

It's been a fair while since I've done any kind of training so I'm excited but apprehensive at the same time. I'm salaried so I'd imagine my classroom experience will look slightly different to others because I already have experience and therefore I'll be kind of 'in the deep end' from day dot.

Looking forward to sharing some ideas; this next year I'll be teaching KS4 and KS5 so should be interesting and challenging!


Welcome to the thread :h:

It will definitely be interesting to hear from people on all different routes!

It sounds like you have loads of experience, so I am sure you will cope really well! Which subject(s) will you be teaching?
Is anyone planning on keeping a blog or something whilst doing their training? I was thinking about starting one, but I'm not sure if I'd be able to keep up with it or if we're actually allowed? I'm assuming that as long as there's no identifiable information about anyone, a blog would be fine.
Original post by airfixfighter
Is anyone planning on keeping a blog or something whilst doing their training? I was thinking about starting one, but I'm not sure if I'd be able to keep up with it or if we're actually allowed? I'm assuming that as long as there's no identifiable information about anyone, a blog would be fine.


I've seen it done, e.g. https://prizesandpitfallsofapgce.wordpress.com/. The author was very careful to never mention the name of the institution or the schools she went to, but was otherwise specific about what happened each day and the assignments and so on. It's been a really interesting resource to me as someone considering, and soon applying for, teacher training so I hope to do something similar if I indeed go onto a PGCE course.
(edited 6 years ago)
Hello everyone! I'm Hannah.

I'm due to start the PGCE in Secondary Geography in a few weeks... eek!

A little about me: I gained my Bachelors in Geography in 2015, and headed straight into a Consumer Psychology Masters. I decided to apply to the PGCE course to seek and gain some alternative experience and skills that coincide with working with children, which I hope will help me reach my end goal which is to gain a Doctorate in Clinical Psychology. Unfortunately for me my uni won't allow me to study another course alongside, so I've had to put my Psychology studies on hold. It's a bit of a different direction to what I had initially anticipated, but I'm looking forward to it!... I think!

I'm feeling extremely apprehensive, so thank you @SarcAndSpark for creating this thread! Such a fab idea. It's been a little strange not really having anyone to discuss the process with!

I think I'm most nervous about placement locations and time management. I have this awful feeling I'll be travelling two hours each way, and the public transport in my area isn't the best so I'm having to catch a lift until I can afford my own car... yikes!

Also, whilst I appreciate we should expect to have a large workload, I'm concerned that I'm not going to be getting much sleep! 5AM starts and midnight finishes (as others online have suggested) doesn't sound like an all too healthy lifestyle. Being someone who already suffers from 'meh' health, I'm extremely nervous, and I've told myself that I won't run myself into the ground over it and if things don't work out it's not a failure, it just means it's not for me.

I've read a few books that were on my reading list, and in all honesty I didn't really find any all too helpful. I found a variety quite patronising which is unfortunate. I have had better luck with some academic articles focusing on educational development but perhaps that's somewhat influenced by external interests. Does anyone have anything they'd recommend in particular? Now that I've found this thread I will be sure to post any links of anything I feel may prove useful.

Other than that... not sure really! I think I'm so nervous mainly because of the unknown... where will my placement be? Will my mentor be good? Are the pupils going to be horrible or ok? (In interview I was also told to expect things being thrown at me and for a whole class of teens swearing at me and insulting me... delightful!) Do I know enough about my subject to teach it? How do I adopt my language to suit the age group? Am I even going to be able to lead ten minutes of a lesson let alone an entire 50 minutes? I think once it gets a few weeks into the first placement and things start to settle, we get to know the school, the pupils and teachers and our routine things will get better.

How is everyone else feeling about things? Looking forward to getting to know you all!
Original post by airfixfighter
Is anyone planning on keeping a blog or something whilst doing their training? I was thinking about starting one, but I'm not sure if I'd be able to keep up with it or if we're actually allowed? I'm assuming that as long as there's no identifiable information about anyone, a blog would be fine.


I've made a "grow your grades" on here for my PGCE. I think as long as you keep it anonymous it's fine. I've named the uni (but only in a spoiler) but I won't name any schools, and I know my uni has quite a few people with my subject specialism. I wouldn't name the uni if there was <5 of us doing my subject.

I'm only going to talk about placement in general terms though, it's going to be more of a study blog type thing.

There's been quite a lot of interest in mine so I'm sure people would be interested if you started one too!

https://www.thestudentroom.co.uk/showthread.php?t=5551588
Reply 77
I didn't apply for a PGCE due to not being sure whether this the career for me. I have a physics degree. Is it possible to be a Teaching Assistant? I haven't applied and schools are starting soon
Original post by PlannerHannah
Hello everyone! I'm Hannah.

I'm due to start the PGCE in Secondary Geography in a few weeks... eek!

A little about me: I gained my Bachelors in Geography in 2015, and headed straight into a Consumer Psychology Masters. I decided to apply to the PGCE course to seek and gain some alternative experience and skills that coincide with working with children, which I hope will help me reach my end goal which is to gain a Doctorate in Clinical Psychology. Unfortunately for me my uni won't allow me to study another course alongside, so I've had to put my Psychology studies on hold. It's a bit of a different direction to what I had initially anticipated, but I'm looking forward to it!... I think!

I'm feeling extremely apprehensive, so thank you @SarcAndSpark for creating this thread! Such a fab idea. It's been a little strange not really having anyone to discuss the process with!


I think I'm most nervous about placement locations and time management. I have this awful feeling I'll be travelling two hours each way, and the public transport in my area isn't the best so I'm having to catch a lift until I can afford my own car... yikes!I think most universities are sympathetic and try and arrange car shares, for example. I'm guessing you're getting the geography bursary, so hopefully you should be able to afford a cheap run around soon? My first car was a Renault Clio that cost me <£1000 and it lasted me for 3 years with no major expenses, so there are affordable options!

Also, whilst I appreciate we should expect to have a large workload, I'm concerned that I'm not going to be getting much sleep! 5AM starts and midnight finishes (as others online have suggested) doesn't sound like an all too healthy lifestyle. Being someone who already suffers from 'meh' health, I'm extremely nervous, and I've told myself that I won't run myself into the ground over it and if things don't work out it's not a failure, it just means it's not for me.

That doesn't sound sustainable at all! My uni were very clear we could and should aim to have a life outside of the PGCE. People also do it with children! Getting 5 hours of sleep a night isn't healthy, and I can't believe it's normal. Don't forget a lot of people exaggerate online or simply can't work efficiently- I think if you don't want this to be your normal, it won't be!

I've read a few books that were on my reading list, and in all honesty I didn't really find any all too helpful. I found a variety quite patronising which is unfortunate. I have had better luck with some academic articles focusing on educational development but perhaps that's somewhat influenced by external interests. Does anyone have anything they'd recommend in particular? Now that I've found this thread I will be sure to post any links of anything I feel may prove useful.

The most useful books I've read so far are the subject specific ones, I have some from the open university called "teaching secondary biology" etc- I wonder if there is anything similar for geography? I've found subject specific books more useful and less patronising, anyway!

Other than that... not sure really! I think I'm so nervous mainly because of the unknown... where will my placement be? Will my mentor be good? Are the pupils going to be horrible or ok? (In interview I was also told to expect things being thrown at me and for a whole class of teens swearing at me and insulting me... delightful!) Do I know enough about my subject to teach it? How do I adopt my language to suit the age group? Am I even going to be able to lead ten minutes of a lesson let alone an entire 50 minutes? I think once it gets a few weeks into the first placement and things start to settle, we get to know the school, the pupils and teachers and our routine things will get better.

I agree, the unknowns are scary! Ultimately, the PGCE exists to teach us to teach- you don't need to be perfect right now! They wouldn't have let you past interview if they thought you were going to be useless.

How is everyone else feeling about things? Looking forward to getting to know you all!


Hi Hannah and welcome to the thread!

I've added my thoughts to your post in bold- I hope you find them helpful!
Original post by H.a.hx
I didn't apply for a PGCE due to not being sure whether this the career for me. I have a physics degree. Is it possible to be a Teaching Assistant? I haven't applied and schools are starting soon


To become a teaching assistant, you'll just need to look for local vacancies- I think these are usually advertised about one half term in advance on LA or school websites (as well as other recruiting sites).

Do be aware the pay is very low, as you only usually get paid 8.30-3.30 and there is no pay for the school holidays. Competition is often fierce, though, as a lot of mums with children want this kind of school hours, term time only job.

If you're thinking of teaching, why not get an "ordinary" part time job and get some work experience in schools at the same time?

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