SCITT bollocks

[RevealAll]

Got an interview tomorrow. In know nothing about the subject I applied for ( degree is quite generic) and my presentation lesson plan is shit.
Do I go in, try and blag it and put it down as useful experience or phone up sick so as not to embarrass myself and everyone else.
I have lots of experience in schools hence getting an interview, I'm just snowed under ATM and wasn't in the head space to think about it properly.

[PurpleDaisies]

Go and do your best.

To be honest, teaching is pretty stressful and you’ll often be snowed under. This won’t be an unusual occurrence.

[PersianCatLady]

What is your degree??

[Bishybarnybee]

I'd go. It will be good practise and who knows, you might blag your way in. Just do a quick mind map of the subject area tonight. get your game face on and give it your best shot. You might be better than you think!

[Tabathatwitchett]

What's the subject? Someone might be able to help

[whathaveiforgottentoday]

i would say go for it and be honest about it. You should be interviewing them as much as they are interviewing you. Its important to make the right decisions about entering teaching.
You may find that you're dragging your heels as you're not sure you want to do it. In which case, go and have a chat.
What subject are you applying for?

[PersianCatLady]

Are you applying for 2018-2019?

[RevealAll]

Thanks. I'll suck it up I guess.

Persian Not saying. Two questions and no advice....you could be on the panel!

[PersianCatLady]

Why come and ask for advice if you can't be bothered to answer questions?

Be careful though SCITT is competitive and providers can carry allocated places over now so if they don't find the right candidates then they can try again for them next year.

To be honest if you don't know your subject, I wouldn't bother going as you will struggle on the subject knowledge test.

[RevealAll]

Not "can't be bothered" but don't want to out myself by giving non relevant information away.

I will definitely struggle on subject knowledge but interested to see what the expectations for the subject is.
Will it make any difference if I do a shocker of a paper?

[PersianCatLady]

@RevealAll Sorry but I can't be bothered because I just can't be bothered.

[Tabathatwitchett]

How are you going to be a teacher without a level of subject knowledge in your specialist area? To be honest, you sound precisely what education does not need at the moment. What it does need are people who are passionate and invested and care enough to have invested time in the application at least.

[RevealAll]

Yes, quite Tabathatwitchett.
The point is I have been teaching for a good many years now. However it has been quite low level ( Entry Level) and over many subjects. My flexibility, good relationships with students and classroom management have meant my students have done at least as well if not better than expected.
It just doesn't translate well to actual secondary teacher training. Perhaps primary would be a better fit but it doesn't appeal.
I think I will go and see what they say. I need to move forward but maybe teaching isn't it.

[Piggywaspushed]

Can you not do a qualification to specialise in SEN teaching?

You sound every disinterested! This will come across. Lack of subject knowledge is a much bigger barrier in teaching than some people seem to think : and it is a lot of dedicated hard work to make up for this.

I, like Persian would like to know the subject as it does make a difference to who will and can advise you helpfully on MN. It's not that outing to say a subject!!

[PersianCatLady]

@Piggywaspushed Some people (not talking about the OP) think that because of the media stories about the teacher shortage, training providers are with spaces left are desperate to fill them and at this late stage in the academic year it will be easy to get a place.

During the recruitment process, both through personal experience and from speaking to others all around the UK, I have found that nothing could be further from the truth.

I have heard stories of people going to interview with a degree in the subject, having passed both skills tests, having school experience and two great references not getting a place.

Most of them at first assumed that they missed out due to someone else being selected. However after checking school websites and / or checking UCAS they have found that no-one has been selected and the provider is still looking for applicants.

[CMOTDibbler]

Persian, well, I personally know someone who had absolutely no teaching experience, no work with children at all, a degree in an unrelated subject, and got a SCITT place to teach something she'd last studied (and done anything with) at A level 20 years before.

[PersianCatLady]

@CMOTDibbler Every provider is different but there was some talk about the Government looking into why some suitable candidates are being rejected.

[Piggywaspushed]

Well, personally I think calling SCITT bollocks does somewhat speak volumes...

I have heard of people being rejected, too, although certainly some have been accpeted (and employed!) with dubious qualifications!

[RevealAll]

I meant bollocks as in " yikes, I know nothing" rather than bollocks to it!

I went. No good telling the kids to push on if I'm not brave enough myself ! Went ok.
Amazing school though, really really impressive.