to be shitting myself that they are going to take away my PGCE course on medical grounds :o(

[saidthespiderwithahorridsmile]

I filled in the medical questionnaire for my PGCE course, which I have been accepted onto and am due to start in September

I was honest about having had depressiona nd anxiety for years and the fact that I am still taking medication for it

I have just had an email from the doctor at the university saying that she needs more information before she can sign me up as fit to do the course, with a list of VERY direct questions about my history, when was I diagnosed, how long have I been on medication, what have I coped with while on it, have I ever had time off work etc etc - loads of questions

I have just typed out an absolute marathon of a reply, answering all of the questions in as much detail as I could, probably far too much and she will think I am nuts

It will break my fucking heart if they take my place away

[saidthespiderwithahorridsmile]

I know the course is hugely demanding, that is why I have waited until I am sure I am up to it before applying. I do already work with children (alongside teachers, in the age group I am planning to teach) so am not completely blind to what is involved.

I think it's really unfair that I have to prove myself and fight for my place again, months after being accepted. I went through the selection and interview process and earned my place. It means the world to me. There was no mention of having to "qualify" medically when they offered me the place. I have resigned my job, started the preliminary tasks they have set, put my heart into preparing for the course and now they might take it away from me.

[DamselInDisarray]

Universities have to ensure that you meet the fitness requirements for teaching. They're legally bound to and usually do this through a health questionnaire with follow up questions as necessary. They use this information to determine that you are fit to teach and to put in place any necessary adjustments for you (if any). It's not about denying you a place.

Don't panic; they're just doing what they are required to do by law. Your responses on the original questionnaire probably triggered an administrative protocol and these are the standard follow up questions from the uni doctor. It's not a personal attack, just bureaucratic procedure. I'm sure your answers will allow him/her to sign off on your place and everything will be fine.

[uselesscamhs]

I'd just like to add to the encouragement you have already received that I too have a stigmatised long term physical health condition which is always an issue for Occupational Health when I apply for new jobs.

I used to get terribly anxious. However, I now accept that under DDA my employer needs to know about this and how I can be supported.

I've never not been employed because of my health problems.

[itisnearlysummer]

Haven't read all the posts, OP, but if you are suffering from anxiety and depression and currently taking medication for it you will find the PGCE and NQT years incredibly difficult. Add to that the pressures associated with the career...

I would seriously reconsider if I were you.

[itisnearlysummer]

OP, I know people who trained as teachers after working as TA's for many years and they said they had no idea of the amount of work teachers do. I don't think it's a job you can really get a feel for until you are doing it.

If you don't reconsider, then good luck.

[HonoriaGlossop1]

saidthespider, I do understand you feeling this way. But keep calm. They don't want to take anything away from you. It's far easier for everyone if they can just tick a box and say yes, she's fine. If the dr recommends you as not fit, he/she will have to have a clear rationale for that and will have to back it up carefully, involving lots of work all round! The natural position is for people to want to keep you on the course.

Personally, I think you need to ditch your first reply because it sounds over the top and may (possibly) show evidence OF anxiety to the dr. Make your replies short, concise and factual, that's all that's needed imo.

Keep calm and remember no one wants to catch you out. You have considered it carefully and applied when you feel you are ready and can cope and you have relevant experience on which to base that view - you're taking appropriate meds which mean you can function well. When you look at it like that, what reason in the world could they have for saying you're unfit?

[peppapighastakenovermylife]

As a uni admissions tutor I would not be surprised if they were simply covering their backs.

We have to be so aware now about how we treat our students, how we come across, whether we have supported them enough etc etc.

There was a story recently in the papers (ok it was the daily mail, I was reading it in Costa coffee!) about a masters student who sadly killed herself. Even in the papers they were blaming the university staff as not supporting her enough in her course.

We get students drop out then turn round and try and sue us all the time (well not all the time but you dont tend to forget!). The university often comes down on the side of the student.

What I am trying to say is perhaps they want a record before hand so if you decide the course is too stressful / become depressed as part of it they can show that it is not just the course.

I really dont mean this to sound insensitive - and of course am in no way suggesting that you would do this. I just reckon it is HR trying to cover their backs.

Taking it from a positive angle - perhaps they just want to make sure they have all the facts so they can offer you lots of support and make sure everything is ok once you are on the course?

I have never ever ever heard of a student being turned down for these reasons.

[uselesscamhs]

Agree with Honoria about trying to withdraw your previous reply and writing something more concise. And less exposing.

[Bue]

OP, it is going to be fine. I am starting a midwifery degree (equally as stressful, probably!) and this comes up all the time - people being questioned about their history of depression by occupational health and worrying that their place will be taken away. I have yet to hear of a case of someone being denied a place because of MH issues.

[Peachy]

DH is in university, he ahd to fill in something similar whe he was dx'd on the course (recurrent, but was in a free spell when he applied).

it's for support purposes where he is. And un i students get the best MH support IMO- decent counselling ash helped DH enormously

[LyingWitchInTheWardrobe2726]

OP... Did you put this in your reply anywhere? I know the course is hugely demanding, that is why I have waited until I am sure I am up to it before applying. I do already work with children (alongside teachers, in the age group I am planning to teach) so am not completely blind to what is involved. I think it's very good.

Wishing you well and hoping that it's good news for you. :)

[LyingWitchInTheWardrobe2726]

I've just had a thought... If you had to fill in a lot of information already, they would hardly waste their time asking for further indepth clarification from you if they were going to chuck you off the course...

I reckon they're quite happy to have you BUT they've got to make some adjustments from their side to give you the 'best fit' for the course, perhaps?

I hope so, you sound very motivated. :)

[thehat]

Just to warn you - when you are accepted for your first teaching post you have to fill out a health questionnaire and then can (and do) ask you to attend a health assessment interview before they offer you a contract.

Good luck OP - teaching is the best job in the world.

[cumbria81]

I would have lied to be honest and not put it on the form. They would not have found out and it would have saved you having to answer all their questions.

[LRDTheFeministDragon]

I just wanted to wish you luck and hope you're ok.

It's not the same, but I applied for a course when I had depression and some other serious issues, and a lot of people said the same thing to me that a couple of people have said here - 'why are you even thinking of doing something so stressful when you're already depressed and needing help?' - but you have to remember, what one person struggles with may be a lifeline for another. I don't doubt the PGCE will be hard, but you have been accepted onto it and you could find you thrive on the challenge and on the excitement of learning to fulfill your ambition. I'm hoping (and reasonably optimistic for you) that they've just asked so they know how best to support you.

[ubigliar]

I would think they need to establish that you're fit and well to be working with dcs. Whereas one person's trigger might be a bereavement, another person's might be work related stress. Also, where one person when depressed might socially isolate themself, another might display psychotic behaviour. If you have declared your are taking anti-depressants, it would be wrong of them not to enquire more about the nature of your illness. I'm not at all saying you would be unfit - I very much doubt it, but that they have a responsibility to check because you will be working 1:1 with children on placements.

[yellowraincoat]

To all the people who are saying that it never happens that unis don't let you in - that's just not true. I have been rejected from a course before for having mental health problems. Don't want to make you feel bad, op, but it can happen.

[passivelyaggresive]

I dont know the legalities but i think it would be very unfair if you were not accepted on the course, and i think you would have every right to make some sort of complaint. Maybe you could contact M.I.N.D (is that the right organisation) for some more concrete advice.

To those of you who say "ohh, but are you sure you can cope with the teaching course" Why do people do that, "oh, its very hard" errr, yeah, but loads of people do it - so its not impossible is it. I suffer from anxiety and depression and i am far worse when i am not busy, a challenging job is exactly what i need. I am sorry, but i just put no when asked about mental health problems - i have never had a diagnosis per se, but i have been on medication. I know that this doesnt affect my ability to work and im buggered if i am going to justify myself to anyone else. If they found out, i'd plead ignorance based on the fact that i wasnt diagnosed with any sort of disorder.

You already work with children so why would they suggest you are not up to it.

To suggest that the OP hasn't thought this through and say, are you sure you can cope with a teaching degree is extremely patronising imvho. I had this once when i was considering teaching and was talking to a mother at M&T, and got the whole, "oh well its a lot tougher than a degree you know" speech - i just replied, "yes, so was my PhD" to which, she couldnt really say anything. I managed to get my PhD mid bereavement and mid PND related breakdown - don't be put off OP, you CAN do this and i would possibly be thinking of ringing the uni and express your concerns that you dont want to be discriminated against, i would use that exact term too.

[passivelyaggresive]

www.time-to-change.org.uk/ This is an organisation that promotes understanding of mental health issues. Im sure there would be advice on this sort of thing on this site.

[TheFlyingOnion]

I heard over and over again what a difficult/stressful year PGCE was before I did my course; the college went on and on about it

Loads of bollocks actually, I didn't find it bad at all, so don't worry.

You'll be able to cope fine, don't listen to the alarmists...

[Goblinchild]

Oh yes, you could move into the private sector. Much less stressful don'tcha know

[TheFlyingOnion]

is that aimed at me? I was talking about the PGCE itself actually

[passivelyaggresive]

Why would the OP do that? Shes looking to do a PGCE and become a teacher, she is not looking for an easy ride, just a fair chance. I guess people do find their university courses stressful but i did a degree and PhD while i had small children, it was only when i was a SAHM that i had a breakdown. I thrived on the "stress" and workload actually.

[Goblinchild]

I love you really TFO.
I've only had experience of mentoring NQT's, not doing the current PGCE.
But I was privately educated for a while...

[TheFlyingOnion]

I can't comment on the NQT year GC as, like you say, mine's private (and overseas) so imo much less stressful than state/UK, ie less paperwork...

However, I got really fed up with tutors on my PGCE course going on and on about what a hard year it was, like no-one had ever had a busy/stressful job before. It was patronising. I also did 2 years at law college which was 10 times busier and intellectually more challenging than the PGCE.

If you are enjoying the course, it doesn't seem like hard work at all. You just have to be motivated, and organised.