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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

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Original poster

PGCE Advice

21 replies

GreenDiscovery · 16/03/2018 19:53

Has anyone done teacher training. I'm starting a school direct course in September and I'm so excited and nervous.

AIBU to ask for your advice and tips on how to survive the year?

OP posts:

Gide · 16/03/2018 19:55

So on a timetable? Be organised, accept all criticisms and learn from them, observe as many strong teachers at your schools as you can. Find out the school policies and ask to shadow a form tutor before you’re asked.

peachgreen · 16/03/2018 20:00

Don't try to be perfect. Or even close. The only teachers who survive are "good enough" teachers.

Pengggwn · 16/03/2018 20:11

Don't try to work out exactly how more experienced teachers do things. It takes time. Just watch everything.

noblegiraffe · 16/03/2018 20:18

Check out this thread in the staffroom for other prospective student teachers www.mumsnet.com/Talk/the_staffroom/3124138-pgce-applications-for-september-2018

Estraya · 16/03/2018 20:21

My advice would be don't do it! If you can find any other job, then do that instead.

Original poster

GreenDiscovery · 16/03/2018 20:33

Thanks! It's deffo something I want, even if I just give it a good go.

OP posts:

SmileEachDay · 16/03/2018 20:39

If you’re on SD, do you have experience in a pupil facing role already? That helps.

Also:

Water. Get a water bottle.
Planning - it’s the most important bit
Take up running or some sort of regular outdoor exercise- very good for keeping you balanced.
Remember they’re kids.

ConsistentInsomniac · 16/03/2018 20:44

Be as organised as you can - planning, paperwork, marking etc. If you have no previous classroom experience, get in there before the summer. Have a good personal support network.

Don't ever take anything negative that a student says personally.

PurpleDaisies · 16/03/2018 20:48

Be prepared for it to be a really full on year. It’s hard balancing the teaching with the pgce assignments and general life.

What’s your subject? It’s a bloody hard job but I wouldn’t do anything else.

Misknit · 16/03/2018 20:54

Start following lots of teachers on Twitter. Especially those who teach your subject area. There are some really generous professions on there that share excellent advice, ideas and resources. You'll also come across some fabulous blogs.

A good place to start if you're not currently following anyone: #WomenEd

I recommend reading:

What Does This Look Like In The Classroom: Bridging The Gap Between Research And Practice Paperback by Carl Hendrick and Robin Macpherson

Making Every Lesson Count by Shaun Allison and Andy Tharby

Mark, Plan, Teach by Ross Morrison McGill

Teach Like a Champion - Doug Lemov

All of these authors are on Twitter.

Do you know the school you are teaching and its demographic?

PinkAvocado · 16/03/2018 20:57

Make the most of all the extra training and time to hone what you’re doing. The PGCE and NQT years were the most fun years I found.

NoIdeaWhatToSay · 16/03/2018 20:58

Never take anything personally - the students act out when they vulnerable and so do other members of staff.

All staff are there to justify their jobs, all of them. So don't be surprised if you feel micromanaged.

Don't engage with disagreements with students, always be consistent and the conflicts will reduce eventually.

Pick your battles.

Always have self care things with you - headache tablets especially.

Never rely on technology without a paper based back up plan.

Keep written records of everything and follow up conversations where you are asked for information with an email. It sounds paranoid but you'll have so many conversations during the day that wires get crossed and mistakes happen. It'll prevent any misunderstandings.

Figure out if there are 'assigned' seats in the staff room and never use anyone else's cup!

It's a very hard but very rewarding job, you definitely need a way of leaving things behind once the day is finished as it's so hard to switch off. Once your training year is out of the way it does ease up a bit but it's very much a game of accountability so you really need to watch your back. I don't want to put you off but I want to be honest.

Best of luck OP!

Dangerousmonkey · 16/03/2018 20:59

Get really organised now. Have a place for lesson plans, notes, written work etc etc - all ready and file everything away everyday.
Label all your stuff - students, teachers and TA's are terrible "borrowers".

PurpleDaisies · 16/03/2018 21:02

Get really organised now. Have a place for lesson plans, notes, written work etc etc - all ready and file everything away everyday.

Yes to this! Buying lots of stationery is one of the nice parts of teaching.

Original poster

GreenDiscovery · 16/03/2018 21:03

It's a primary school in the North West, one form entry. Thanks for your tips! I'm looking forward to having school work rather than 20 uni assignments!

OP posts:

Original poster

GreenDiscovery · 16/03/2018 21:03

I love buying stationary and organising things

OP posts:

PinkAvocado · 16/03/2018 21:04

One form can be really tough as there is so much on just you and no partner teacher. However, it’s a good training experience as you’ll be planning everything!

PurpleDaisies · 16/03/2018 21:06

I'm looking forward to having school work rather than 20 uni assignments

I’m not sure that’ll be the case. If you’re on a pgce there’ll be the masters level assignments plus all sorts of other bits. That’s one of the hardest bits-balancing the school and uni workload.

piefacedClique · 16/03/2018 21:06

Get a job as a cover supervisor until you start..... it will be less of a shock to the system when you begin your pgce. Plus make friends with the admin staff and ta’s.... they are an invaluable resource.... even if it’s just to keep you sane (and smiling!)

RoseRuby26 · 16/03/2018 21:12

I'm a primary teacher. Definitely prepare to give your all to the year. Have fail safe plans for childcare. How old are your children? Be organised. Listen to your targets and try to work on them (rather than attempting perfection as someone else mentioned). Definitely watch strong teachers in your school. The training year is HARD. Be prepared to cry. However I love my job 9 years in. Enjoy days with hilarious kids.

PeanutButterCheesecake · 16/03/2018 21:55

Listen in stunned silence to all the completely conflicting advice from all the different teachers you work with about what works for them. Try it all out, see what works for you. In the training year there is a LOT of constructive criticism. Don't take it to heart, people genuinely want to help you. Don't be afraid to ask questions. Don't forget you're not meant to be perfect in training, no-one expects you to be.

Have some sort of chat group for you and your fellow trainees but don't post anything you wouldn't be happy for anyone to see.

Be organised, get as far ahead as you can, BE ORGANISED. I found that making an evidence list in my planner as I went along meant I didn't forget anything, then when I had a spare afternoon I could organise everything I'd done into my file.

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