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.

I don't have any GCSEs - it's silly that universities are still requiring them.

Do have a PhD though.

@picknmix1984

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

Me neither. The whole concept is that it's supposed to be 'open' to anyone. I suppose they must have different criteria for their PGCEs.

People do realise that primary teachers have to teach science, right?

When I did my PGCE , I did two weeks in a primary school with year 2. I found the science really hard and I had higher biology at grade B!

They have the same criteria as everyone else for a PGCE because they are centrally set.

"it may be of interest that only 16% of people who start an OU degree actually finish."

That could be for all sorts of reasons, life gets in the way, etc. I know someone who dropped out because she had a baby. They were supportive and she would have been given extensions, etc. but she just felt she would be too busy. People drop out of adult education for such reasons all the time e.g. a promotion at work meaning not enough free time.

The whole concept is that it's supposed to be 'open' to anyone

But you couldn’t have nationally-set entry requirements for a professional qualification which apply to every institution in the country, EXCEPT the OU-that would be ridiculous.

Think of it as a requirement for the profession maybe, rather than the course.

"Also, watch your apostrophes on the application form. GCSEs doesn’t need one. Sorry if that sounds patronising x"

It's a bit old fashioned to put apostrophes before the plural 's' after an abbreviation, but not totally wrong. Look it up instead of being patronising.

The PGCE when I taught at the OU was one of the hardest of courses to get into. Their criteria reflected that. Now they only offer it in Wales not anywhere else. I don't know if you can do it from anywhere else, possibly you can. I know where I live in Wales you wouldn't be accepted without Welsh as all schools here are fully bilingual and i think you sort out your own practical experience (though that may not still be the case).

@Sarahtrue11 it’s a group of schools not run by the local authority that work in partnership with each other. There are some really big ones like ark schools or outwood.

To begin with the OU didn't offer any professional degrees. Now they do, and must meet requirements for that.

Did you consider HLTA at all?
Have you looked at other routes like Teach First. Our local Primary school trained a couple of teachers “on the job” have you enquired about doing it this way?

As for the Science do you need core Science or could you study one Science like biology? It might be that now you can use one of the Sciences. Biology is needed for plants, Sex Ed etc at Primary so would be useful. A lot of the PGCE is school based could you apply to another Uni and do the school placements near your home? We had some from the next county come to ours for placement. Or do you have dependents? I have a friend who switched from TA to teacher around your age. Her daughter was training to be a teacher too. Mum finished ahead of daughter.

@OctupusObsidian

I don't have any GCSEs - it's silly that universities are still requiring them.

Do have a PhD though.

Presumably you do have O levels though. So if you have O level Maths, English and Science, you too can be a primary school teacher.

Don’t give up if it’s what you really want to do. I love being a primary school teacher.

I suspect that OP's 'GCSEs' are actually CSEs, if she's 51. I think only the very top grade of a CSE was seen as the equivalent to an O level (or a C in GCSE)

Have you looked at other routes like Teach First. Our local Primary school trained a couple of teachers “on the job” have you enquired about doing it this way?
She will still need a grade 4 equivalent in science!

I have just retired after 40 years teaching and I find it ridiculous that you've not been accepted. Where we live in Wigan people like yourself would be able to complete their PGCE in the evenings at the local tech with their observations done in the school where they work . In fact my son did his PGCE that way . At the moment the country is desperate for more teachers like yourself so I just hope you get sorted out soon .

@Howshouldibehave

The whole concept is that it's supposed to be 'open' to anyone

But you couldn’t have nationally-set entry requirements for a professional qualification which apply to every institution in the country, EXCEPT the OU-that would be ridiculous.

Yes, that's why I wrote that it must be different for the PGCEs.

Where we live in Wigan people like yourself would be able to complete their PGCE in the evenings at the local tech with their observations done in the school where they work
Only if they meet the entry requirements, which are common to all training providers. Which she doesn't.

@saraclara Nope. No O levels, CSEs, GCSEs or any other equivalent.

If your teaching colleagues said you can do this then there's no reason to disbelieve them. Continue to feel buoyed by their support. They obviously see something in you.
I have RTFT yet but pp said to try other universities, this is definitely an option. Also some schools offer an apprenticeship scheme where TAs can train in their current school and then do 2 placements elsewhere. You'll be paid as an unqualified teacher which will increase once you pass and it's a year course. That might be something worth looking into. They do it in my school and my colleagues who are training now didn't apply until July.

FWIW I have been a teacher for over 20 years and I have to admit I am not fully up to speed of current educational reforms and despite having a C in Science I wouldn't be able to walk in a year 6 class and teach it confidently.
I teach in SEN secondary btw

@Soozikinzi

I have just retired after 40 years teaching and I find it ridiculous that you've not been accepted. Where we live in Wigan people like yourself would be able to complete their PGCE in the evenings at the local tech with their observations done in the school where they work . In fact my son did his PGCE that way . At the moment the country is desperate for more teachers like yourself so I just hope you get sorted out soon .

People like OP, who don't have a C in GCSE science would not be able to do their PGCE in Wigan or anywhere else. This is a national requirement.

Jeeze, it's teachers like you who put her in this predicament by encouraging her to apply and telling her that the uni would see her as God's gift to teaching, when they hadn't even checked whether she fulfilled the basic requirements.

@LloydColeandtheCoconuts

If your teaching colleagues said you can do this then there's no reason to disbelieve them. Continue to feel buoyed by their support. They obviously see something in you. I have RTFT yet but pp said to try other universities, this is definitely an option. Also some schools offer an apprenticeship scheme where TAs can train in their current school and then do 2 placements elsewhere. You'll be paid as an unqualified teacher which will increase once you pass and it's a year course. That might be something worth looking into. They do it in my school and my colleagues who are training now didn't apply until July.

FWIW I have been a teacher for over 20 years and I have to admit I am not fully up to speed of current educational reforms and despite having a C in Science I wouldn't be able to walk in a year 6 class and teach it confidently.
I teach in SEN secondary btw

...and another teacher giving OP false hope with no basic knowledge of what is a national requirement in order to do a PGCE. And who hasn't RTFT.

This is getting embarrassing.

I think, saraclara, that we are falling on deaf ears.

You need to know about reforms as this shows you have been reading up on current issues in education. It also shows you understand how reforms change curriculums across all stages of the education system; secondary changes results in changes to primary curriculum and vice versa and how these changes create challenges in schools. You don’t need to know everything but make sure you understand the challenges in your sector and age group. Current issues include brexit and funding:how will this affect schools that are already struggling? Attainment:SAT results and 11+? Are the truly accurate representation of a child’s ability and do they create unnecessary pressure? How about retention crisis of teachers? Why? How to solve? Is a teacher’s role no longer about just education but encompasses social work, child psychologist,etc? A teacher being held responsible for a pupils progress even though outside factors (home/social care/etc) affect pupils willingness and ability to focus in class/access to necessary equipment. They want you to understand that teaching is not the idealistic job people think of as 9-3. It’s stressful, ever changing, and clinging on for dear life trying to survive a new government before the next demolish all the work you’ve just spent song. How we, it is very rewarding and never boring. You will need to resit your GCSE in science as a C is needed; as a primary teacher in a state school you will be teaching all lessons and therefore need to be confident enough to teach to year 7 level (curriculum changes mean more content in primary in preparation for secondary). However, I don’t believe it’s anything to do with your age. Rewrite your personal statement, resit your GCSE and practice speaking/teaching a lesson if you can, as most interview places for teacher training will ask you for a 15 minute in promoting lesson. (I had so do one at each university I interviews at). Good luck. It’s a great job if you go into it with your eyes wide open.