Turned down for PGCE - gutted. Please help me figure out what to do next.

[Wanttoteach]

OK, namechanged for this as loads of RL people know me on here.
After 15 years in a career I loved but which was no longer compatible with family life, I was made redundant. DH and I decided to move to a fairly remote area for better quality of life for the kids yadda yadda and I became a SAHM while starting an OU degree. Fast forward four years, degree is almost complete, I will finish in June and am on course for a 2.1. Over the past few years I have come to realise that I really want to teach at secondary level. Unfortunately, because of where we live there is only one PGCE provider within anything like commuting distance - and it is a very highly-rated and sought after university. I applied this year. I have done extensive voluntary work in local schools, written a killer personal statement, my tutor has given my a fantastic reference - and I found out today I haven't even been given an interview.
I'm absolutely gutted. I've been trying not to cry all evening. What do I do now? I'm 45. Jobs are really scarce in the (semi-rural) area we live in. I've applied for everything that's come up locally that I'm even vaguely qualified for. I'd kill for a TA job, but no luck so far. I hate being unemployed and financially dependent on DH. I need to work for my own self-esteem. And I really, really want to teach.
If anyone has any thoughts about how I get out of this trap I would love to hear them. I can fill in the next year before I can reapply with even more volunteer work, but I don't know how much that's going to help.
The only other thing seems to be to move back to London, where my job prospects would be better, but DH and the children are happy and settled where we are. I can't uproot them for my own selfish needs.
Sorry, this has been long and self-indulgent, but I would really like some advice/perspective. I can't be the only person stuck in this sort of trap.

So sorry to hear that. Is there any chance of getting some feedback on why you weren't invited for interview?

In the meantime, is there any scope for you earning some money from private tutoring? That might boost your self esteem in the short term and leave you time to explore other opportunities. Good luck.

THis is really hard for you, often universities are a bit sniffy about OU degrees, especially if it is in a highly competitive subject. Have you considered goign to the OU for your PGCE?

Really sorry Wanttoteach - have you considered applying through the Open University IIRC they do provide secondary PGCEs.

x-posted there duckyfuzz

It sounds like such a shame - the career really needs people who are dedicated and want to work in schools like you.

Have you tried contacting local schools to see if you could follow the GTP route? That would mean that you work in school and it is their responsibility to train you up. Advantages are that you will be paid for the time that you train and you will become comfortable in the classroom much more quickly than PGCE students. However, it can sometimes make it a little more difficult to get a job afterwards as, whilst you would have Qualified Teacher Status, you wouldn't have the PGCE qualification. Though this depends on the prejudices of the appointing headteacher, as you would definitely have more experience and confidence when applying for your first post.

I did a PGCE; but when I met colleagues who were doing the GTP route at the school that I eventually worked at, I felt that they had the potential to be better teachers (as long as the school that trains you does a good job!).

I hope that helps!

Maxpower - I hadn't really thought about private tutoring as I am not sure there is much demand for it where I live - it is certainly worth looking into though.

Duckyfuzz - the OU PGCE would be ideal for me, but they don't offer it in my subject. Are providers really sniffy about the OU? I have always been led to believe it's quite highly regarded. How dispiriting.

Some private schools hire people with no teaching qualification but a good degree. Might be worth enquiring.

Have you looked into the GTP option - my uni does the support for GTP students as well as their PGCE students. Worth a shot, as there might be places in school local to you.

Gingerhan - I've been researching the GTP tonight. There are two schools in the next town who do it and I will contact them tomorrow to find out some more details. I was under the impression from what I've read elsewhere that places often go to existing members of staff (TAs and cover supervisors) but you never know. Sadly the schools where I'm already known locally don't offer GTP.

Cornsilk, that is certainly worth looking into. I will add that to my action plan.
Does anyone think my age (45) is likely to be counting against me?

Is there an FE college near you? Could you get visiting lecturer work or casual hours helping out with learning support / ESOL / adult learning?

I taught 16-19 yr olds at an FE college without any formal teaching wualifications for a bit. They then offered to keep me on part-time while I did a p/t PGCE in post-compulsory education (I left in the end and pursued a completely different career!).

Could you look into this? Perhaps less competitive than secondary PGCEs (not sure if this is true, just speculating).

You can ask the schools to consider using you as a GTP.

A friend of mine had a career change and did his GTP at a private school. Is that an option for you?

Get feedback from the uni. Although you'll get a bit of flannel.

I was convinved that a local over-subscribed, highly-competitive etc etc, uni near me had a habit of automatically turning people down in their first yera of applying as a weeding method to find those with real commitment. Very very common. So do not lose heart.

I certainly think that applying a second time will only be looked on favourably.

OK - have been researching GTP online tonight. Seems there is one provider which serves schools in my county - and three schools within reachable distance of me are signed up with them. I will contact them all tomorrow and see what the score is - applications close in March though and the school has to sponsor you, so the likelihood of them being prepared to do that so quickly is probably not high. Worth a shot though.

FE college - yes there is one and I will approach them.

Private schools - there are a couple I could investigate.

Thanks everyone, I am feeling a little more cheerful than when I started this thread - I need to keep a positive attitude.

Pointy - I hope that might be the reason. Yes, I will ask for feedback, but I'm not hopeful of getting anything that useful. I'll certainly apply again next year, if I don't die of old age first.

It is very common here (Glasgow) to have to apply a couple of times to get on a PGCE course, so i really wouldn't take it to heart too much, although it must be dreadfully disappointing for you.

Ask for some feedback and try and get some more relevant experience and try again next year.

Good luck with it!

the feedbakc won't be that useful. They might waffle on about more experience with children. But at least you will have made contact and you can refer to it next year. 'Oh yes, I have built up my experience with children as advised by...'

Do you know what's really burning me up? I've been on a couple of forums for people who want to get into teaching and as well as shedloads of really good well-prepared candidates, some of whom have got places and many more who like me have been turned down, there are a number of completely illiterate numpties who have somehow managed to get places despite not being able to string a sentence, or indeed a coherent thought, together. I know that's ungracious of me, but I've had a bad day. And I'm JEALOUS.

I was initially turned down when I first applied and phoned to find out why- I'd forgotten to put down my maths o grade- duh. Spoke to someone and got an interview and then offered a place. Strangely everyone at my interview, which included group discussion, was in the same boat- we'd all gone back, so were quite determined to do it.

Lo and behold, most of us got on the course- 8/10 from the one interview

Once I started my tutor, who was course director, told me that he really liked the candidates who didn't just give up,

So give it a try- there's nothing to lose!

GTP is the way to go - although there is a deadline but think we took ours on in May/June time at my last school for a start in September. GTP will pay you closer to something resembling a salary than a PGCE grant. Might need to go in and do some unpaid work-experience first to prove to self and the school you can hack it and that you all get on, as you have upto a 70% timetable from the off. It's a steep learning curve but worthwhile. Look at the TDA website and get talking to schools, especially the heads of dept/faculty that you want to work in, as if they are keen to have you, they can make it happen. You could write to them all directly, selling yourself on the page.