PGCE interview - what to wear?

[LadyGlencoraPalliser]

I am so excited - just had an email inviting me to interview for Secondary PGCE. Now of course, I am wondering what to wear. It's years since I worked in an office, so I no longer possess a suit. I did work shadowing at the local secondary school and the female teachers there mostly wear black trousers or skirts and fairly smart tops - is that the way to go for interview. I have quite a few dresses though - including a navy square-necked knitted Boden one (last winter's) which I thought might be OK with a statement necklace and flat black knee-high boots - but is that too informal? Aagh. Am 46, everyone else will prob be half my age.

The Boden dress sounds perfect.

Many moons ago when I was having teaching interviews I used to turn up in a very formal business suit, and had no luck.

I got my first job when I scaled it down a bit. Dress like you would dress for the classroom. Be approachable.

Good luck!

I agree that the Boden dress sounds great. You need to look approachable and suits don't always work in a classroom situation.

I can't teach if I'm uncomfortable, and I am always uncomfortable in a suit.

The others won't be half your age either, don't worry!
It's a fantastic job, good luck!

Thanks. I've been worrying that the dress will make me look too middle-aged mum. (As if I could disguise that pertinent fact!)

If it helps I started this exact thread in may and ended up in smart trousers and a shirt (was fecking hot though) everyone else was in suits or smart dresses so I woudl say boden was fine.

And don't worry about the age thing, I am 32 and probably the average age for my course. seriously.

Good luck

Good luck with the PGCE interview! The boden dress sounds great - I went for a primary PGCE interview a few years ago and it was a day long selection process involving a maths and english test, an interview and an observed group discussion. I would therefore suggest that stylish comfort is what you want to aim for.

Yes, don't do a suit. I interview for PGCE courses and a suit always looks a bit out of place.
Middle ground is great. Some people turn up in jeans and sweatshirts, would you believe

I like the idea of the necklace- it will give the interviewers something to remember you by. The one with the necklace.

I'm on my PGCE course now and wore black trousers and a shirt for my interview. I wouldn't do suit.

I'm 31 and there are plenty of people older than me on the course, In fact more older than younger I would say.

Good luck