PGCE Sept 2011?

[cherrypez]

Has anyone got a place to do a PGCE next year? I'm doing Secondary English.

Me too! Where are you doing it?

Canterbury Christchurch, am nervous but excited!

I'll be at Exeter. Have you got any reading lists or anything yet? I want to try and get a bit of that done ahead of time, as I know it will be very full on.

yep, got my reading list and have picked up some of the books for a penny plus p&p on amazon!Im looking forward to it but worried,as im sure u r too, i wont get enough time with the little ones.

Hi, I'm doing primary at Southbank! Excited but nervous. More about childcare and logistics rather than the course yet.

Thanks for reminder about textbooks, must get some reading done.

How old are your DCs?

My DC's are 8, 11 and 13. I am lucky in that the older two will both be in secondary in September, and the youngest will be going into Y5 so the childcare side of things is easier. I'll be leaving home at 6.30am every morning and probs not back till 6.30-7pm so it will be a feat of organisation even so.

I have my interview on 18th April for Secondary Maths. Am also concerned about the costs / logistics of childcare for DC's aged 6 and 7 come September....

I'm doing secondary maths at Uea in Norwich.

Very exciting! I'm a lone parent & my DD will be 1 when I start. Luckily I have a great nursery and lots of supportive friends and family around.

I'm prepared for the hardest year of my life!

I have 7 DC's, aged between 14 and 1, so I think it's going to be a challenge, but we live three doors away from the nursery, and up the road from the schools so we should be fine! I have been reading too many horror stories on the tes site though about people's negative experiences :(

I also find the TES site very useful Cherrypez, but I agree that the horror stories are very offputting. I keep trying to remind myself that only the ones with problems post - most people are probably fine.

Lots of secondary maths teachers!

Wow, I was getting a bit worried with what will be a 6 year old and a 3 year old but that's amazing, cherrypez. I imagine you must be extremely well organised already with your children.

I'm not listening to any horror stories. It will be worth it. I did my degree whilst also working part-time, looking after DS1 the other two days and being pregnant with DS2. I think having children focuses you on being more productive with your time, efficient and keen to get the work done asap so you can see your children.

That's my current theory anyway!

I am due to complete my PGCE in 3 months. Don't listen to the horror stories on TES. The PGCE is one of the best things I have ever done.

Please be aware of the job situation once you have qualified though. Things are pretty dire, especially if you can't relocate.

Good luck. I know you will have a great time.

I am doing my secondary matsh pgce as well. It's not been that hard, you just have to prioritise.

I have really enjoyed the PGCE, you actually have to think and use your brain, and I find being a parent has helped with being on placement as I am not scared of the kids and I have made soem brilliant friends out of it as well.

DD's are in nursery or full time school, I have a friend who can pick up dd1 if DH or I can't get there and I was prioritised for a placement that I could get to with childcare etc so they were very accomodating. I even took dd2 into uni for a 121 and a short lecture one day as she had been throwing up and nursery wouldn't take her back.

Job situation is a bit of a problem though as Mia says, as I can't relocate. The only people on my course (8 out of 37) to have jobs so far are all moving away. There is nothing here.

If I can give you any advice it woudl be that it is not a sign of weakness to admit you need a hand with stuff. Whether it's housework (which has majorly gone for a burton) to childcare to helping with lesson ideas from teachers in school.

I can spell maths. Honest.

Mia, i've been following your threads on here, glad you're enjoying it. MyBoysHaveDogsNames, I also had babies during my degree, had 5 kids when I started and 7 when I finished!

You're very good at multitasking Cherrypez! I'm getting excited now. I've got a day at uni week after next, to fill out the health questionnaire, CRB check and get more details on course structure, etc. Funding has now been withdrawn for primary places so that's more cash to find, but a drop in the ocean compared to the cost of childcare for the year.

Just looking forward to using my brain and getting to earn some money again!

have you submitted ccg1 form yet? they paid 80% of my childcare when I did my undergrad degree as OH was on low income. He is now at uni so I would imagine I should get the same again.

Sorry, old thread I know, but had to pipe up cherry.

Just finished PGCE secondary English at Canterbury and it has been brilliant. Very tough at times but so fulfilling and rewarding. I only have one DS and it has been hard juggling but it's all worked out.

Wanted to reassure you re: job situation. All of our group (about 30 of us) have jobs. English jobs have come up all over Kent, and in my home town I think every school bar 1 has had an English vacancy. So panic not and enjoy!!

thanks Mistress, I was a little concerned after all the doom and gloom I hear regarding all the unemployed NQTs, but I feel a little better now! I did my undergraduate degree at Christchurch so I'm quite excited to go back. Congratulations on your job!

I start my PGDE primary (in Scotland) in 2 weeks - eeeekk!! Got 2 dc - 8 & 9 and am a single mum so getting abit nervous about it all now!

I'm doing a PGCE in Secondary English at Bristol, starting next month. I've been able to get most of the reading list through my local library - I figured paying 60p per book reservation fee is probably worth skipping the queues at the University Library (I've been to Bristol Uni twice before so know how limited the Arts & Social Sciences Library is). David Crystal is my new hero!

good luck everyone!

You will all be fine (I'm a head of dept at a secondary school and have diagnostic and long placement students)! Remember when you leave each placement school to nick anything you can get your hands on... :) always helpful to get a bank of resources.

And try not to worry about the job situation - It depends where in the country you are but you only need 1 job so the time to
Panic is nit before you've even started

I'm starting secondary biology two weeks today!!! Scarily close now.

I'm gatecrashing your thread because I have researched and decided TODAY that I am going to plan a PGCE.
Can any of you reassure me that the following is a good idea!
I want to do it at London School of Speech & Drama in Media Studies. In 2014 as thats when my youngest starts school.
They have 7 places per year. It will cost over £9000.
I don't think we could afford childcare for me to do it until he is in school.
I have all relevant qualifications, a degree in Drama and have worked in media for last 14 years but I will be 39 when I start.
I need classroom experience - how do I get this?? I was thinking of becoming a guide leader anyway so will press on with this.
What else do I need to know? Essential reading or research tips?
Thanks mumsnetters.
As you were

bumping to see how everyone is getting on??