PGCE - am i wasting my time

[oneofakind]

hello all
my local uni offers a pt pgce (3-7 yr olds) which i am interested in applying for. however, reading the forums I am concerned that my application will not even be considered as my qualifications are too 'soft'. I took my 'O'levels over 25 years ago and failed maths - twice!! i have english and biology but obviously can remember very little from those days. i have a first degree in humanities and an MA in social work. i currently work part time for a local authority and there may be scope to spend an afternoon a week at a primary school/nursery and i can go back to college/get a private tutor to support me through a gcse maths.

however, i have heard that there are now many applications for this course - is it worth me applying (i am 41)? how difficult is the course? etc etc. I'd be grateful to hear from anyone who has any experience of applying or anyone supporting a pgce student.

I would say go for it! I would phone their Admissions Office and ask to speak to the tutor in charge of applications for the course and explain your situation. You have a whole raft of other quals that suggest you would be very well suited and successful at this course. See what they have to say.

You might be surprised at how easy you find Maths GCSE compared to Maths O Level 25 years ago... believe me, it's a whole lot easier now than it was!

Primary is hugely oversubscribed but they do seem to be encouraging those who have a little more 'life experience' into teaching at the moment, so your age is no barrier whatsoever!

You'll have to have Maths GCSE (or eqivalent). Some courses offer equivalence tests but you'd still have to brush up on your maths.

The key to all of this is getting into schools for some experience. Some of the courses round here insist on a minimum of a fortnight block experience with the relevant age group. Very important to be able to talk about your experiences at interview.

It's not difficult but very, very intensive. Be prepared to devote yourself totally to the year. If it's a well thought out career move, it should be more than worth it. Good luck

I was talking to some people at the Teaching Development Agency (or whatever it's called now) who told me, a few weeks ago, that there is no age limit on becoming a teacher.

Have you thought about the Graduate teaching programme?
link

You will need to get a GCSE mathematics qualification before applying for the PGCE.

thanks for the replies everyone - think i will try (just waiting for the uni to get back to me). just need to sign up for the gcse (dreading all that algebra stuff again!)
clemette - that's interesting - will be following up