To even think about doing my NQT year while DS1 does his GCSEs?

[orangeylemons]

Found out today that I should have 'no problems' being accepted to do my PGCE starting September for Secondary maths at the same school my son attends.

Here is the dlilema if I do the PGCE this coming year - the next, (tougher?) NQT year will be my DS1''s GCSE year and DS2's first year at secondary. I am a single parent.

What are GCSE years like from a parent's POV?
What are NQT years like, really?

I know I'm mad/brave/stupid to be doing this at all. I am seriously considering delaying a year to avoid the NQT/GCSE/new school combo but I am also quite daunted at times by the road ahead so don't know which thoughts to trust right now. I did get a 1st with the OU (Graduated 2107) so the boys are used to me working and studying, but I am, honestly, worried that this will be too much. On the other hand waiting a whole 18months to start the PGCE seems crazy when we are living on a min wage and no maintenance.

Hoping there are some thoughts out there that could help?

Thanks Mnset! X

Thank you for shouting out support here, just knowing that this is a doable in some sense of the word is both affirming and a bit of 'oh no grand excuse then to sit in the garden for a year then'. I hear more do than don't, truth is being a SP and always finding the motivation from within v having a mentor and adult co-trainees is a big plus

A few more details... It's a PGCE Schools Direct with a local uni provided by the school who are part of a local schools alliance. No issue with it being my sons' school, I work at my DS2's primary so we are used to the idea as a family and I have a good relationship with my son's tutor at secondary and the other maths teachers and they know my son. My son has in in college mentor, lucky boy he is, so his mentor is to whom to teachers go if there is a problem, but a small word in my ear has helped me steer my son if he heading down the 'silly' path. He's been an excellent practice for the patient repetition needed to get the eyes onto task in lesson - I have been volunteering in the maths dept since October so I get a few 'Hello Miss's in the corridors.

My homework now - apart from doing an assessment on my OU Maths course - is to find out about the NQT possibilities. I think if the possibility exists of flexing that as the year arises then there is not a good enough reason to hold back applying - only my own fear, but like most of us - faced them before~!

Thank you! Wishing you all a grand Wednesday X