Maths PGCE Interview

Hi
I have got my interview for a secondary maths PGCE on thursday at uni of manchester. I was wondering if anyone had any idea of what the group maths teaching task and the maths focused tasks might include?
I am a bit worried because not sure what level of maths to prepare for, GCSE, A level? I intend to do an enhancement course, so my maths is not yet up to scratch, but still want to do well in the interview!
Any help and advice would be greatly appreciated
Thanks

Reply 1

Mr M

We employed a Newly Qualified Teacher from the Manchester PGCE Secondary Mathematics course a few years ago and his subject knowledge wasn't all that good AFTER completing the course so I don't think you need to worry too much about not being up to scratch at this stage.

I have no idea about the task you might be asked to do, but you can expect the mathematics involved to be straightforward. They will be looking for you to demonstrate an ability to communicate and explain concepts and to show you have a feel for some of the misconceptions that children might have about this particular topic.

Unless you behave like a idiot of cosmic proportions, you will be offered a place. I will go further, if you fancy teaching in East Anglia in a year's time (or immediately on the unqualified instructor's pay scale with a view to gaining Qualified Teacher Status on the job), please private message me.

By the way, your profile says you are 10. I think I read about you on the news, you sat mathematics A Level at the age of 8?!

Reply 2

Jake22

According to the people who I know who attended the same interview at Manchester, the tasks are along the lines of explaining basic mathematics and also being able to recognise from a child's incorrect answer (or question etc.) exactly what there difficulty/misunderstanding is with a piece of maths.

Mr M

(or immediately on the unqualified instructor's pay scale with a view to gaining Qualified Teacher Status on the job)

I didn't know one could still do that. I know that traditionally one didn't need a teaching qualification to teach but I thought that the rules had now changed. Or is it a private school?

Reply 3

Mr M

Jake22

I didn't know one could still do that. I know that traditionally one didn't need a teaching qualification to teach but I thought that the rules had now changed. Or is it a private school?

State school. It is a myth that you need a teaching qualification to teach. Schools are expected to appoint qualified teachers if they can but, if there are no qualified teachers available, it is fine to appoint an instructor. They even have their own pay spine.

http://www.teachernet.gov.uk/_doc/12638/UQ%20scale%202008.doc

Reply 4

sam1407

Thanks for the help! Its quite a relief to know that the maths shouldnt be too hard!
Im origanally form east anglia, so you never know where I might end up!
Thanks

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