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.

How did you do GCSEs if you are in your 50s? I'm 48 and was only the second Cohort to sit GCSEs. Nobody in their 50s should have GCSEs unless you sat them as a mature student!

I was first year of GCSE changing from O level

You are not in your 50s then.

Try not to be disheartened- get a C in Science and apply again. You really want it so that must be an incentive

I applied for Straight to Teach a few years back - is that still running?

The GCSE thing is ridiculous! Shows what is wrong with our entire education system, it's all about ticking boxes and filling in forms, ideally in the correct colour of pen. No wonder there is a shortage of good teachers.

You do need a C for Primary. I didn't know that the OU did the primary PGCE, they used to only do secondary.

I was in the first cohort for GCSEs and have a mix of O-levels and GCSEs as a result. I'm only 48.

@MrsHamlet

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 was the last year of O levels, OP, and I'm not yet 50 (nearly, but not quite). So something is awry with your chronology. Either you did O levels (in which case your D would be in a specific science, as there was no "Science" O level), or you did GCSEs, in which case you're younger than I am.

Assuming you actually did O levels, it's irritating to be turned down for that reason, as a D in an O level Science subject is easily equivalent to a C in a GCSE Science subject. On the bright side, you should find it very straightforward to get a minimum of a C if you decided to take a Science GCSE now. It's irritating to have to do it, though.

Likewise, a C in Maths and English at O level would suggest a pretty solid grounding in both - unlike a C at GCSE.

I don't think it's ridiculous to ask for basic standards in English, maths and Science. Even with those requirements in place I see primary teachers who don't use correct grammar, have basic scientific understanding and their History and Geography knowledge doesn't even match the basics for infant level work.

You need a C in Science to be a primary teacher. Explore other routes!

Maybe it depended on schools. I remember our form prefects (don;t laugh) being the first cohort for GCSEs, and they were 17 when I was11. I'm now 44 so they would be 52...

The curriculum thing bothers me somewhat. You're experienced in a school setting, you must have some clue about curriculum.
I know when I did my pgce is was pretty much off you go a month into the course. That month was so intensive teaching you how to teach that there was no time for curriculum stuff, that was expected you researched in your own time. In the same way that when curriculum changes come into action, I'm expected to do the research myself, look at exam board specs etc. I might get sent on a training course if I am very very lucky and the school has the budget for it.
It all sounds promising though - have you got friends at school who could take a look through your application? I might be that you have the knowledge but are not demonstrating it.

And a c in science isn't hard. I am beyond shit at it, and got an A and two Bs. I was so shit, that my mum bet me I couldn't get above a C in physics, and promised to buy me an album if I managed it. Poor woman had to brave HMV. She was as surprised as I was.

No, they couldn't be 52!

@GlutenFreeGingerCake

The GCSE thing is ridiculous! Shows what is wrong with our entire education system, it's all about ticking boxes and filling in forms, ideally in the correct colour of pen. No wonder there is a shortage of good teachers.

It's not ridiculous at all. How can someone who couldn't reach the 'pass' grade for a subject, teach it to 11 year olds? Do you not want your children's teachers to be educated and knowledgable?

The curriculum thing is a side issue. The OP doesn't meet the basic entry requirement. That's why she's been rejected.

They can't be 52. I was part of the first cohort and I'm 48, almost 49. We started the 2 year course in September '86 with the exams in late spring '88.

I don't think it's ridiculous to ask for basic standards in English, maths and Science.
It is when the person has a degree and years of experience working as a classroom assistant. She is just the sort of person they need to become a teacher. Yes she can go back and retake her GCSEs but what a waste of time.

My understanding is you need the C in GCSE science, see your local FE college about doing that. Meanwhile, can you do any qualifications via work to get yourself to Higher Level TA? Any university will like that you are developing / do any CPD you can. Read any 'trade' press you can, e.g Times Educational Supplement. Also see if any local unis or colleges do the PGCE. I did mine at the local college, they deliver it on behalf of a uni. Quite common nowadays. The OU are not your only option. Don't loose heart. It's pretty ironic that teaching is quite hard to qualify for, despite the fact that we are very short if them, and everyone likes to think it's just something people do when they can't think of / do anything else!! 🙄

GCSEs were introduced in 1988 and replaced CSE or Olevels (two different exams) - survey however the pedantry over the names is irrelevant 😂

*short of them

If they are oversubscribed (is that a thing with OU?), it is understandable that a candidate with Cs in Maths and English and D is science is going to be at the lower end of the applications.

Did you use an apostrophe in GCSEs per your OP?

So, what’s the plan now OP? Look elsewhere, re-sit GCSEs?

Yes she can go back and retake her GCSEs but what a waste of time
She doesn't need to retake her GCSEs. She needs a grade 4 equivalent in science. That could be as simple as finding a school to enter her as a private candidate in November, and applying for 2022.

God, who knew that post degree your GCSE's would still be working against you... That's terrible. If you were 18, fair enough.
But with third level qualifications and twenty years work experience in the field?

Sorry, 50. Turns out that the A in maths was a bit dodgy too!

@murasaki

And a c in science isn't hard. I am beyond shit at it, and got an A and two Bs. I was so shit, that my mum bet me I couldn't get above a C in physics, and promised to buy me an album if I managed it. Poor woman had to brave HMV. She was as surprised as I was.

Did you miss the part where she said her mum died mid GCSEs?

Op I really sympathise with your GCSE issue. I got mediocore a levels compared to my ability because my mum died just before my exams. My university let me in because of circumstances and I got a first in a very competitive course but the “bad” a levels stopped me getting onto graduate schemes and I still get questioned on them 15 years later in job interviews!