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

[complexnumber]

Given her experience an expertise, Goblinchild is probably better qualified to comment here than most others.

However, as a secondary teacher, I have seen NQTs crumble.

I have seen teachers who struggled through their initial years desparate to achieve their dream, crumble.

I've seen teachers who, initially, loved children, but ended up despising them because their initial dream did not meet the reality.


To quote my DP "You need the hide of a rhino to be a teacher"

If there are any chinks in your armour, or any other weaknesses in the front you portray to your classes, they will find them, and they will explore them.

It's fucking tough, and it's fucking personal.



Personally; I've been teaching donkey's years and love it.

[dexifehatz]

A teacher here-agree with Ohsowhat I'm afraid.Teaching is stressful and training to teach/ NQT year even more so.

[basingstoke]

I think it's pretty irresponsible of people to tell the OP to reconsider her career choice on the basis of a post on MN. You'be done the right thing I think OP. I hope it all works out for you.

[kat2504]

Flying onion, you are right in that many people who have had a professional career will not finger teacher training more stressful as they have got used to 12 hour days etc. But many pgce students are recent graduates who have never had a professional job before. The tutors are probably adressing them really. I did mine fresh from university and i found it fairly challenging but not awful. Nqt year was an entirely different matter.

I have had mental health issues and every time i change job i get a call from OH but they have never caused me any problems. They have just got to satisfy fitness to teach criteria. I believe you can Google these criteria to see where you fit in. If you have been working in a school already it should be fine.

[DamselInDisarray]

The health questions for PCGE applicants aren't at all about discrimination. They're a legal requirement. It's not the university that wants to know if you are fit to do the course itself (although they can use the information to provide you with proper support); the government have insisted that those qualified as teachers meet certain health requirements. That doesn't necessarily disqualify disabled applicants or those with other health issues though, but there are mental and physical health standards that all candidates must meet if they are to be enrolled on the course.

There is more (official) information available here. It includes some case studies that show how the assessment has actually been positive for people.