To be gutted I got turned down by OU to study PGCE

[MrsDontDoMuch]

I’m just a bit upset, and wondered if anyone had any experience of being rejected by OU?

I work as a class room assistant and have over twenty years experience of working in schools. I have GCSE’s, A levels, a degree, and diploma in performance (ABRSM piano). I recently applied to OU to study a PGCE. I wrote what I thought was a good application and personal statement.

I’ve just received feedback that I was rejected because I did not ‘demonstrate a clear understanding of curriculum reforms’ and ‘maybe I should work on improving my GCSE grades’. I did get a C in maths and English amongst several other subjects but a D in science (my mum died when I was doing my GCSE’s) and I would have thought A levels and a degree would outweigh my GCSE grades?

AIBU to think this is just patronising feedback? I’m thinking it’s because I’m in my early 50’s and maybe they think I’m just too old? I just can’t stop crying, I really wanted to be a primary school teacher.

@partystress

Have a look at the Assessment Only/Straight to Teaching route with your experience and the fact you already have a degree, you would be a good candidate.

Sorry didn’t realise you already have a degree! In which case OU are being absurd. Apply elsewhere!

other route is do the c and g 7307 cert part one and two as its easy to get accpted and then do the last bit of the pgce, so you end up with a full pgce certificate and also you avoid a lot of waffle this way as the 7307 is much better etc or apply for pgce FE or for sixth forms as also easier to get in .

@KirstyHasLeft

I think it's awful that something you were not great at when you were 16, can hold you back your whole life. I didn't do great at school. Lied about my grades to get into an Access course. Then did a degree and got a 1st. Just because, for whatever reasons, you didn't do your best when you were a teenager, doesn't mean you can't do great now. Also - how can one know about curriculum reforms before one becomes a teacher?

Easy enough to re-take GCSEs, easier if you do it when you're young, but still possible to do them when you're older.

I would imagine - but could be wrong - that the OU is very competitive for PGCE students as it’s so convenient for people, particularly those who do not live near universities. Therefore they have to find reasons to reject people and this is more bad luck than anything fundamentally wrong with your application (I don’t know about the science thing as I trained in secondary education and science isn’t a requirement for secondary, but a minimum of a C or equivalent in English and Maths is a rigid requirement with zero flexibility)

I would look for a SCITT/School’s Direct/university PGCE

I didn’t have a D in science and got accepted to do a PGDE, not at the OU though so check other possibilities as you may still have a chance.

Sorry I only had a D in science that should say

It’s always been a C in science as far as I knew.

Retake your GCSE science - it’s easy enough.

I was going to ask if you really want to be a primary school teacher, as it’s such hard work, however you’ve been a TA for ages so you know firsthand the struggles they face.

Good luck and don’t take it personally. They probably have a lot of applications this year due to people having to rethink their careers.

I was first year of GCSE changing from O level
OP, I am 51 this year and I did O Levels. If you are early 50s you will have done O Levels

It's the Science. Assessment Only might be an option but you won't get in for primary with a D in Science. All ITT providers are required to adhere to this.

I didn't think the OU turned anyone down! Surprises me.

Have you looked at the SCITT route? With you experience in schools it might make more sense to this way. They do ask for a C in GCSE science, however the website says if you don’t have this you can sit a GCSE equivalency test to prove you have a high enough academic level.
It does sound like the science is a box you will have to tick, but that hopefully shouldn’t be too difficult. Frustrating after all your years in school that you have to do this, but if you can get a SCITT placement you’ll be able to work, earn a small salary and train at the same time.

I'm in Wales and you need a B in English and Maths - no exceptions.
You have to find out what their eligibility criteria are and make sure you meet them. In Wales you also have to have a degree in a relevant subject or you can't even be a primary school teacher.

Take their feedback as constructive. Find out what the eligibility criteria are and work to make sure you meet them.

Don't give up, refocus your determination and apply again.

The first GCSE exams were taken in 1988

Hi OP, I’m 50 this year and my year were the last to do O levels in 1987. GCSEs came in 1988.

@picknmix1984

I didn't think the OU turned anyone down! Surprises me.

But if that was true, how on earth could one ensure that trainee teachers were up to the job? Anyone could apply and get in!

I also thought it was only if you were born after 1st September 1979. I live near a uni that used to be a TT college and is still known for its teaching degrees. Some years ago I looked at a fast track to PGCE they were running and was ineligible as I was born after this date and got D in Science.

2 of my friends about the same age (second year of sitting GCSE's) had to resit their a science to move the grade from a D to a C. Both resat in 6 months and got the C. They were then accepted the next academic year

@saraclara yes they are notoriously ‘open’ to applications but it’s as difficult as any other institution so you won’t necessarily pass or do well. I know this isn’t an undergrad degree so irrelevant comment but it may be of interest that only 16% of people who start an OU degree actually finish.

Some areas ‘trialed’ the switch to GCSEs in 1987. I was in one of them. Maybe OP was too. I have a mix of O Level and GCSE results.

The science is a legal requirement for Primary QTS. So your options are to retake it, or apply for secondary.

Whether you do OU, SCITT, Schools Direct or whatever, they will all have this requirement as it's set centrally by the DfE.

If you sort this, OP, I am sure you'll be able to find a way to train to teach.

I did GCSE physics, biology & chemistry

And got D in all of them?

OK, but you must be under 50 to have done GCSEs.

”In Wales you also have to have a degree in a relevant subject or you can't even be a primary school teacher”

In Wales, I think the relevant subject is only specified for Secondary teachers (and makes total sense) but can’t see it specified at Primary level - probably as primary teachers are expected to cover the whole curriculum. Very few degrees would be irrelevant.

Gov website for Wales states;
a degree with at least 50% relevance to the subject you want to teach to become a secondary school teacher (you can check this with ITE providers)

For postgraduate teacher training programmes, you'll need to hold an undergraduate degree awarded by a higher education provider in England or Wales, or a recognised equivalent qualification.

You’ll need to have achieved a standard equivalent to grade C/4, or above, in the GCSE examinations in English and mathematics.

If you intend to train to teach pupils aged 3 – 11 (early years and primary), you must also have achieved a standard equivalent to a grade C/4, or above, in a GCSE science subject examination.

www.ucas.com/postgraduate/teacher-training/train-teach-england/teacher-training-entry-requirements-england

That was the very first result when I googled training to be a teacher. How did you miss this OP?

It's not going to make a difference who you apply to, even if it's a SCITT group. You simply don't have the minimum requirements. Your colleagues did you no favours in encouraging you and assuming you'd be grabbed with both hands. Even if you're a wonderful person and fantastic with the kids, they should have checked before filling you with confidence.

@Ellmau

I did GCSE physics, biology & chemistry

And got D in all of them?

OK, but you must be under 50 to have done GCSEs.

I agree- the trial before GCSE was called 16+