If you have done a PGCE I need your advice NOW!

[DidEinsteinsMum]

Ok, it is urgent but I can't hang about to chat. I am doing a PGCE secondary and today i got put on remediation and told that currently with 4wks to go that neither my subject mentor nor professional mentor can see how they can currently sign me off as competent to teach.

Paper work has been an issue and this has been focused on and resolved
but this has been at a cost of the delivery. I am in a very challenging school and right now I need your best advice. How can i quickly get progress on behaviour management, pace, control of the class room and not want to walk out and say sod the little buggers (class X only)

And if i am failing block B and do what the hell happens?
Will check later I have to be productive.
TIA

I think you need to be proactive. Go into school tomorrow with a l;ist of 3 things you'd like to focus on. Be specific in terms of classes/points of the lessosn it's going pear shaped (more likely to be the 'transition' bits)and say to your mentor; this is what I feel I need to work on a) do ou agree and b) how would you go about it.

Ask if you canm go and watch people teach who are similar ages/same type of person to you, ie will get nothing out of going to watch a strong male character who has been teaching for years if you're 21, female and quiet! There's time for that later. now you need to be watching people like you for instant tips. make notes of what you've seen, even if just to show your mentors.

talk to your fellow PGCE bunnies. They might just have gems of advice...

Put into place an action plan, what you are going to do, when you are going to do it by and who will monitor what happens. This shows that you're willing to turn it around.

Not wanting to be negative, but in terms of being prepared, have a chat to your union about what happens if you are failed. They might recommend you leave the course before that happens and try again later. Or they might extend your teaching practise so that you qualify in january. I've seen both happen.

Hope that helps

Thank you. I have been trying to take your advice but am finding it difficult to get a straight answer about whether i am likely to pass or fail at the moment. One minute I am being told it is ok, the next i am being comlpetely destroyed. What I need to know really is in the current situation where am I on this scale, if I am not currently failing am I at risk of failure. I have a big review meeting at uni with my tutor and intend to raise the issue. I know that there are issues with my lesson but I am fed up with being told I am ok and only hearing negative stuff. I have enough going on outside of school to not need the negativity but constructive statements. I am tired and fed up of systems that are unhelpful - especially the ones that have failed ds over the last 18months and are now having serious consequences as a result.

sorry for the rant. thankyou.

I agree with TE - it really is easier when you only have to concetrate on your job and not uni work as well, as well as being able to breathe and not being watched all the time.
How did the meeting go with your uni mentor?

It was a open day typeing so all mentors and students were in but some clarification has been recieved and I am boardering at risk of failure although not currently. Depending on how my uni obeservation goes on monday will depend on whether I go on referral and am classed as at risk to fail. They are being a little liant on the paperwork in view of the situation (although this will need to be sorted over easter) and are focusing on lesson construction, adaption and delivery with particular emphasis on the demonstration of the linkage between objectives and outcomes.

I have a chance but need a really good night sleep and going to spend half an hour - hour with the boy and then crash. before getting up early to finish the marking that is needed for the first period. It will be done but i need a bit of rest first so i am off for bedtime and rest.

All I can do now is to womy ass off.

glad you got some clarification - good luck on monday. let us know how you get on. practise the lesson when you're in the shower. I still do that even now when I'm being observed!

Ended up in remediation and have 2 weeks to turn it around. Not sure that it is possible tbh what the are asking is a huge ask. Be glad for easter break.

I really sympathise with you and I hope things work out.I've had a nightmare in my second placement and have now left........have been offered a fresh placement in September, but don't know what the financial situation is on this. It's a really intensive course and it's really difficult to keep a work/life balance. Talk to friends and other people you trust.

Hi everyone
I am also doing PGCE this term and I also finding it an absolute nightmare. I keep thinking about quitting all the time. I havemy big meeting on Thursday, which will determine whether I passed or not and I have a feeling I won't. I would like to find out what money I have to pay back if I fail and if I drop out (I have taken a childcare grant as well as maintenance and parents' learning allowance)
Did anyone do the retake in September? Would you please tell me about you experience and if you had to finish term 3 your second placement? and what were the financial implications?

Any help in this matter will be greatly appreciated.

S.H