Need some honest professional opinions... Routes into PGCE

[andaPontyinaPearTreeeeee]

In short I am at a bit of a crossroads regarding my OU degree... Circumstances at home are far from simple, ideally I would be taking more of a break (I'm halfway through) but if I do that I lose what I've done so far. Now or never.

Basically I am wondering, for a 5-11 PGCE, is a non-curriculum degree a total non-starter? And specifically what about the open degree, if the modules are maths/English/child development or psychology.

I've found one uni near me that says it's fine but I don't want to drastically reduce my chances elsewhere just based on that!

Thank you for reading my ramble, I am a panicky mess ATM.

When I took my PGCE I had a Law degree. However, I did 2 years experience within a school between finishing uni and starting PGCE. I linked my degree and skills gained to NC subjects - ie I had studied Legal History. I think the experience swung my PGCE acceptance, it made it clear that was what I wanted to do.

Not sure if this is helpful but feel free to PM me.

Thanks for your reply, can I be nosy and ask vaguely what experience you had in those 2 years? :)

Worked part time and helped out as volunteer in local school, worked across school as TA and taught support sessions to small groups - ie ELS. Helped at local infant school as TA for comparison. Also was Brownie pack leader. HTH

Ooh that's great as it's the kind of thing I'm doing anyway.

Perfect then! As long as you are doing work in schools that's great - a friend of mine, who is now a brilliant teacher, got turned down for PGCE although she had a full time job working with children, just because it wasn't in school.

Have you thought about degree subject any more?

I don't know... Basically I started off on a maths degree, but a lot of crap has happened this last year. Now I have to work as well, I'm not sure I can devote all the brain space to maths. And I really miss the other subjects I love.

My problem is I've always enjoyed lots of different subjects. Two of the modules I'm looking at are child development (which incidentally is a compulsory course in their teaching assistant diploma) and English literature. So those two at least I could argue their relevance, I suppose.

Aaaaaargh I don't know.

Each university will have different requirements, so it worth contacting a number of them to see what they ask for.

If you don't intend to start for a while, then bear in mind that things have a habit of changing.

Posted too soon - what I meant was check on current requirements and enquire about nay planned changes in the next few years.

My PGCE is in a non-school subject. I just had to break it down and show which modules mapped to school subjects.

The changes are what I'm worried about tbh - do you think universities would actually tell me if I asked?

I will only be looking at a few local unis - we have 2 small DCs so there is no way we will be moving.

If I can do the breaking down of the degree, that should be ok as it'll mostly be maths and English... I could say how much I love a wider range of subjects which would make me suitable for teaching primary?

I've been told by many I should do maths only, and teach secondary, but my heart would never be in it. I love the variety in primary school :)

Speak to the admission tutors at the TTCs you are interested in. They don't bite.

My degree was in a non primary curriculum subject. Where I did my PGCE they were looking for 50% to be NC linked - so like the other posters, I picked out what was relevant. There was quite a bit of applied maths and history in my degree. If you're doing child development, would you consider 3-7?

I would actually consider 3-7, yes, since I've been helping in infant school. I think I'd prefer juniors, but not sure.

All your subject choices sound good to me. I suppose if you wanted to become a Maths co-ordinator later (and you can now study once you are trained to be a specialist Maths teacher, you still teach everything else but it is like an advanced skills teacher in that subject) Maths would be great, but can't see a problem with English Lit or child development, both could be an asset.

I wouldn't worry too much about what age group you want to teach, although you may have to 'specialise' on your course. Eg - I specialised in KS1, got job in KS2, have now taught across the age range and really want to teach early years! I start a new job in January which is years 2,3,4 so will have my work cut out for now!