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PGCE secondary subject

I'm in my third year studying Sociology at University and am going on to do my PGCE next year in secondary education BUT I am a bit stuck between choosing psychology or RE as my subject specialism. I have interviewed for two courses to teach psychology and one rejected me based on my low subject knowledge. I have an A Level in psychology but due to covid my SK is a bit patchy. The SCITT who rejected me suggested I apply for RE instead as sociology is linked. I was initially going to apply for RE but didn't as I don't have an A Level in the subject.

I am doubting my decision for psychology as it is a really hard subject to teach and the bits I struggle with I am going to find so hard to teach, even if I work on my SK in my own time.

If i decide to choose RE do I need to apply again for this subject? Or will the University of Worcester (if they give me an offer) just allow me to transfer over to a different subject specialism?

I really don't want to have to interview again!!

Reply 1

Original post
by mbiggs28
I'm in my third year studying Sociology at University and am going on to do my PGCE next year in secondary education BUT I am a bit stuck between choosing psychology or RE as my subject specialism. I have interviewed for two courses to teach psychology and one rejected me based on my low subject knowledge. I have an A Level in psychology but due to covid my SK is a bit patchy. The SCITT who rejected me suggested I apply for RE instead as sociology is linked. I was initially going to apply for RE but didn't as I don't have an A Level in the subject.
I am doubting my decision for psychology as it is a really hard subject to teach and the bits I struggle with I am going to find so hard to teach, even if I work on my SK in my own time.
If i decide to choose RE do I need to apply again for this subject? Or will the University of Worcester (if they give me an offer) just allow me to transfer over to a different subject specialism?
I really don't want to have to interview again!!

Hello,not to hurt your hope but being an RE teacher is not a good subject to be,it's difficult to find jobs for being an re teacher as the schools usually just take a teacher from other class and done. I will encourage you to go for psychology or even sociology,both subjects that need a proper teacher with a degree on it

Reply 2

I mean it’s entirely up to you what you’d prefer to teach and i recommend continuing to try get onto the PGCE teaching of the subject YOU WANT to teach rather than what’s easier because teaching something you are not passionate about will not help you or the kids. BUT as the other person has said, l would also advice against RE, because often it can be maintained by a teacher with other general humanities knowledge and it has a reputation for kids being uninterested to participate (unless they’ve chosen it) and you will often go into teaching BPE or PSHE which again lots of students lack interest. Good luck though!

Reply 3

Original post
by MKH234
Hello,not to hurt your hope but being an RE teacher is not a good subject to be,it's difficult to find jobs for being an re teacher as the schools usually just take a teacher from other class and done. I will encourage you to go for psychology or even sociology,both subjects that need a proper teacher with a degree on it

Thank you, but in my experience secondary RE teachers only teach RE and they have their own department, unlike PSHE which is often taught by any teacher.

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