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Original poster

Has anyone applied for a secondary PGCE and got turned down??

26 replies

allgonebellyup · 16/10/2007 13:27

Just wondering what my chances would be, the man at my local uni says he has around 6 people apply for each place .
i dont know what else i will do if i get turned down, my degree is not a great grade either.

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harrisey · 16/10/2007 18:26

they're not so worried about the grade you got in your degree as to how good a teacher they think you will be.

I had a friend with a first who didnt get in as he was so detatched from reality as to have no communication skills at all. I have a 2:2 and got in no bother at all!

inamuckingfuddle · 16/10/2007 18:29

Have you spent time in schools before you apply? I run a secondary ITT course adn ability to do the job, interest in education, is far more important to me than degree grade...must go to DTs, back in a mo!

inamuckingfuddle · 16/10/2007 19:16

Ok, what subject are you planning on applying for? Which uni? Have you considered other routes? As harrisey says, we have had people apply with fab qualifications but completely incapable of communicating with kids, although havign said that, subject knowledge must be sound. Try looking at tda website and teachernet for some ideas about requirements and curriculum

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Original poster
allgonebellyup · 16/10/2007 20:29

I am planning on doing English at Brighton uni, part-time (am single parent of 2), its the only subject i could really teach as that is what my degree is in! im heading for a 2:2 and thats if im lucky!!
Havent got experience in schools yet but obviously i will before i apply, as maybe i wont even like what i see..

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inamuckingfuddle · 16/10/2007 20:56

does your uni do the student associate scheme? this is a great way of gettinginto local schools for some experience towards the end of your degree and I think they even pay...I'll find out more if I can

inamuckingfuddle · 16/10/2007 20:57

here

NKF · 16/10/2007 20:59

Six people for each place is not very competitive you know. There's plenty you could do to be better than the other five. Spend some time in schools etc...

Original poster
allgonebellyup · 16/10/2007 21:12

thanks iminamuckingfuddle (good name!)..my degree is with the OU, have just looked it up with them and they dont offer anything for students studying English, though there is a uni fairly near me that might have places.

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Original poster
allgonebellyup · 17/10/2007 09:58

Have contacted the other uni near me but nobody offers the scheme for English! only science, maths, etc.

thanks though.

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cornsilk · 17/10/2007 09:59

What about a college of higher education?

Original poster
allgonebellyup · 17/10/2007 10:01

well i looked it up on the gttr site, and there are only six unis that offer the scheme, and only 2 with spaces.

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cornsilk · 17/10/2007 10:03

Would you not consider primary then?

Original poster
allgonebellyup · 17/10/2007 10:20

no, not really, i just want to teach English and not all the other subjects that i am crap at! also not keen on teaching little 'uns (although teenages are way worse, i know!)

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inamuckingfuddle · 17/10/2007 19:59

If I were you I'd get in touch with the OU and see if they can sort something out for you. Failing that, just contact local secondaries and ask if you can go in for a few days/mornings/afternoons sometime

yama · 17/10/2007 20:18

I applied to two universities. At the interview stage for one of them they queried my uni transcript (I had dropped out of a couple of units). I said something about financial difficulties. Anyway, they weren't bothered about that but were really impressed that I had used holidays from my work to spend some time in a school.

When you visit a school, find out what their approach to improving literacy is and how this fits in with the national priorities. I teach in Scotland so it's different up here. You will feel more confident if you go to your interview armed with this knowledge.

Chances are some of the other candidates won't have done this.

Good luck.

Heated · 17/10/2007 20:25

Does your OU offer the SAS scheme which gets graduates thinking about teaching, into school? It's a pre PGCE taster if you like.

The other way to get in is simply to volunteer some time in school, ask to do a week's observation and helping.

twinsetandpearls · 17/10/2007 20:35

A students at my school was saying today that for their on the job training there are 48 appliacnts for 6 places.

I didn't get my place at my first teacher training college, proabably becasue I assumed that as I had done my degree there I would get in so perhaps didn't put the work in to prepare. He told me at interview that they would love me at the Institute of Education and they did and I got in.

The besy way to get a place is to get experience in a school, many of our student teacher have worked as cover assistants for whihc you do not need a teaching qualification.

Original poster
allgonebellyup · 18/10/2007 09:42

Well, good-ish news, i found another uni near me which does have a few spaces left for the SAS, and you get paid £600 for 15 days in school, which i really really need right now too!!!!
i only have about 5 days before the deadline for applications though!!!

thanks for all the suggestions.

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Heated · 18/10/2007 19:26

Hope you get the SAS application in ok - it'll prove really useful on a PGCE application

inamuckingfuddle · 18/10/2007 20:01

Good luck with the application!

Original poster
allgonebellyup · 19/10/2007 10:49

thanks, just waiting for my reference from the OU, they're taking their time!!

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PeachyFleshCrawlingWithBugs · 19/10/2007 10:52

When we did our Access to teaching course, those planning on english or History were advised to consider this scenario- as there is seriosu competition for palces on those courses 9whereas with my degree I have the opposite issue- its a shortage subject but that means fewer and fewer places are bothering to offer the PGCE which means a lot of us cant access it geographically). My friend who is doing English was advised to take eduaction as a joint, as that guaranteed them progression on to a PGCE scheme. Good luck though! Someone has to get the palce, after all.

Original poster
allgonebellyup · 30/10/2007 12:48

Sent my application off a few days ago, and got an email to say they are considering my application and will hear from them soon.

fingers tapping..

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Blandmum · 30/10/2007 12:51

I did my PGCE with the OU and it was very good. It has the added advantage of being part time if you need it to be, and you do all the study via your computer, so no needing to get to lectures etc which can be a real boon re child care

Original poster
allgonebellyup · 30/10/2007 12:53

MB i did look into doing it with the OU as have spent 8yrs on and off doing my degree with them and they are great!

Sadly they dont offer English as a subject yet...

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