Not got an interview for the GTP

[CaesarSaladNoDressing]

Gutted.

Applied for a training place and have not even got an interview.

I have 10 years experience in schools as Learning Mentor/Head of Year/Behaviour and Attendance manager but nothing.

Made the mistake of going on TES forum where several posters were excitedly discussing interviews.

Feel like crying.

I think my only option is to try and persuade school to fund me through it (hollow laugh).
Head had previously said she would 'support' me with it and I could have a placement with them but no mention of actually paying for it.

Any brilliant ideas Mumsnetters ????

(Subject is English so not priority)

Oh, I'm sorry. I can't help - I dont understand the process properly. I always thought Heads of Year were teachers already!

It's really tough times, I do feel for you.

Thanks Kez

Some HOY are teachers but since about 5 years ago there have been opportunities for Pastoral staff to do the role. Frees teachers up for actual teaching!

I am just upset because I really need QTS to progress any further in my career (I would like to be a SENCO then Assistant Head for Inclusion) and this means another year stuck at my current ceiling with nowhere to go

Seeing teaching staff who I remember only a few years ago as scared NQTs, are now sailing past me as HODs/Faculty Directors etc... makes me

And I need to stay away from TES website!!!

Make sure you ask them for some feedback on your application.

Good luck for next time though - 'what's fur ye'll no go past ye' as my granny would have said :)

Could you do a PGCE part time instead?

Do you think you didn't get the GTP place because English is not a shortage subject?

Oh bad luck! That's quite surprising actually: normally GTP do really favour staff with lots of in-school experience. Maybe they think you don't have enough experience of the classroom?
Do you have the academic background to support your application? What's your knowledge of English and the English curriculum like? And relevant qualifications?

GTP have been slated at times for producing candidates with insufficiently rigorous subject knowledge.

Did you get someone else to look at your application form? I would get someone to go over it with a fine tooth comb and then apply again next year.

Really sorry about that OP for you.

I am dign the GTP this year and there are lots of people with lots of experience, but also lots with a lot less than you in all subjects tbh (plenty of the GTP people are 22-26 so cannot have 10 yrs of anything!)

I too would advise asking for feedback, maybe there is a big hole (not visible to your naked eye!) in yr application?

Thank you for all replies

Feeling much more positive today.

I have not had any feedback from the uni yet but there is a bit of light at the end of the tunnel, my school are considering funding my place which gives me another shot at an interview and I think there is a much better chance of me getting on with a school funded place.

Seahouses PGCE is fees paying and that is really not possible at the moment.
And yes there were only 6 funded places for non priority subjects so this is probably a factor.

roisin The Head went through my personal statement with me but not the rest of it. And again I agree that I don't have significant whole class teaching experience i.e. never had my own classes on timetable but I have taken plenty of supply lessons!! And loads of small group work experience.
My subject knowledge and quals are ok, again not amazing but good enough, B/C grades at A level and 2:1 degree. I just thought that my experience and seniority in school (am middle management scale on support side) would carry me through. And really wanted an interview, I quite like being interviewed... weirdo

So and crossing my fingers that school come through for me, that I get a funded place and all is well.

then is just the being totally skint for a year or 5 that I have to get my head around.

thanks again xx

Are you actually teaching classes? There is a workplace route - I think Uni of Gloucester runs it.

What's the subject? Maybe it's just a supply and demand thing?

That sounds excellent that school are considering supporting you. A mate of mine got a funded place, then school wanted (and he agreed) to do his own full timetable from day one, including a form group. His timetable was about 65% I think. GTP then said no, he couldn't do that and have the funding as GTP was basically supposed to be an "extra" member of staff, hence the funding. But in the end they backed down.

But what I'm saying is, if you are in a position already to take your own timetable already (and it sounds as though you are), then you are worth far more to the school as - as on an UQT scale - you'll be much cheaper than a regular teacher.

I guess you're having to take a significant paycut for a couple of years anyway on the GTP route?

good luck

Thanks Riverside, will have a look online at that, I am in Sheffield so quite far away from Gloucester but might do distance learning or something similar??

Yes roisin we have already had the chat that its all about the money!!
Subject is English, although I do have a combined degree with a sociology minor how useful

Basically I am quite expensive (as the business manager never tires of telling me!) and at the moment I am covering a maternity leave, running Y10. They have employed a younger, less experienced colleague on a temporary contract to do parts of my 'real' job of whole school attendance, AHT is doing the other more senior bits.
So the finances are crucial, it will be much cheaper for them overall to keep my colleague and put me on GTP even though I will be 'extra' to department. Super numerary I think is the right term. And I will definitely have a form group and be teaching fairly quickly I think. My weak areas are marking and curriculum knowledge so that's where a will need the support not actually in the classroom.

There are two problems:
Our head is leaving at the end of the academic year and we have entered a 'partnership' with another school. So now have to get the new Executive Head and our new Head of School to support me too. Can you tell my school is not exactly outstanding???!!!

Also got to actually get on GTP with a school funded place!

And yes I am taking at big paycut but have been working 4 days so used to a bit less and we have changed a few things around, mortgage term/paying off all debt now so won't have any in Sept so hopefully will manage. No holiday for us this year though.

Thanks again for all replies. Will keep thread updated...hopefully with good news

Is the Open University PGCE an option for you? With the experience you have, you could probably even skip some of the levels and get QTS in less than a year - a lady at our school is doing this. She also gets a grant (not sure where from/how much etc) but she's definitely going to get QTS in less than a year and can therefore start a paid job before the end of the academic year (which may mean you get paid more, sooner!)

OU PGCE has about 3-4 start points during each academic year as well so you'd get an answer quite quickly.

So have had good news!!!

Firstly my school have agreed to fund both my training fees and pay my salary for a year so I contacted the uni and requested that I been considered for a school funded place.

Then yesterday I got an email saying I've got an interview 23rd May!!!!!!!!!

I had totally convinced myself it was all over so am delighted

Still got to get through interview but its looking good!!

Thanks for all your ideas and good cheer x

Wish me luck!!

Great news. I called the school where I did my gtp- long story - and they said this had been the first year they have been oversubscribed with applicants.

You can gp distance learning pgce if you have a placement/ job in a school already that makes it easy for you!

Good luck with the interview.

Agreed justonemorethread
There have been a huge amount of applicants for TDA funded places this year.

Nationwide there were 21,000 applicants for 4000 places and at my uni there were over 400 applications for 6 places

I have been looking around at other options including other providers and perhaps and assessment only route too. But if I don't get on I'll prob wait and apply again next year.... we can have a holiday in the summer then

Have you researched the 'Assessment Only' route?

Not really Nelleh, I did look at the link suggested up thread but doesn't cover my area. Its definitely my Plan B for next year though.

My interview is next Thursday 17th!! I got the email today confirming it.

It all looks fine apart from I have to do an numeracy test which is NOT my forte at all despite scraping a C at GCSE, I haven't done any mental arithmetic since 1993!!!
Have attempted a couple of QTS online tests tonight and have performed dismally.

Am quite worried about it but Maths dept have offered loads of help and I am really hoping its a bit easier than the QTS ones

Any suggestions??? Have ordered a "Passing QTS numeracy"book on the kindle but am struggling to even get through that

good luck with interview. I am coming to the end of PGCE and looking for a job - I have loads of experience in other areas, and family, children, business etc but trying to get interviews is sooooo hard! I wish you all the best, and keep fingers crossed for you. Actually, can't keep fingers crossed, I can't type the endless lesson plans from scratch with fingers crossed. Toes instead.

Well after lots of uncertainty and drama.... I am amazed to tell you all that I have got a place on GTP for September!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

School agreed to fund me, I has my interview with uni yesterday and they have emailed me today to offer me a place

Thank you all for the support and advice when I thought it was all over x

Excellent news

Well done!