Funding for the PGCE

[MaryKatherine]

Hi,

I am due to start a flexible PGCE this September. It was advertised as a full time course. The course leader has now told me that the course will be over 2 years and not 1. This seriously makes things hard financially as I believe I will only qualify for a £4K bursary (to last the whole 2 years).

I am an NHS professional (part time since first maternity in 2004-05) and changing career. I have volunteered in 5 schools over the last 3 years so do have some experience. I really need to earn money (or find out about other ways to help) over the 2 years. Does anyone have any ideas? I do not hold a TA qualification. I do have a Masters, 2:1, A-levels and GCSE's. And, I have been a STEM ambassador for 9 years (involving a lot of trips into local schools to do exciting science stuff).

If it helps, I come from a science/medical background and I love helping out with maths work (my 11 year old is doing level 6...plenty of revision). Obviously, a science geek too.

The course is actually distance learning plus two placements (5 weeks and 9 weeks). I also have to spend 16 days here and there doing observations etc. The course leader has said that most people continue working part time but I am unable to due to the nature of my job.

I have a husband who works full time and two children (a 6 year old girl and an 11 year old boy).

Do schools take on folk, like myself, for a couple of days a week? Any other ideas of what funding I may be entitled to get?

I will have to withdraw if I can't up the cash!

Maybe the School Direct scheme would be more appropriate for you- although people seem to have very variable experiences of it.

If you did a FT Primary Maths PGCE you would be eligible for £12k. Is the issue that you don't want to work FT?

If you tell a school you are doing your PGCE then I'm sure most wouldn't have a problem taking you on as a TA. Especially as a maths specialist. Secondary is obsessed with maths!

If not then would you consider cover supervising? You dont need to be qualified and its usually around £80 per day. Find a good agency and they will find you work arund your course and DC. I learned far more about behaviour management from covering than I ever did from my training!

Hi,

I don't mind going full time now so it would be better for me to do the PGCE over a year. I am worried that I won't be offered another course at this late stage in the application process (I also need to be fairly local).

I would LOVE to do the maths specialism but I only gained a 'C' at GCSE years ago. I missed a lot of school, during my GCSE years, as I was seriously ill with bacterial meningitis and septicaemia (off 1/4 of the 2 years just before exams). My year was also the first year to sit GCSE's (so no strong guidance). I also went to a poor secondary school (my mum had no idea about how to choose a good school). It was demolished after I left!

As a result of school absence the school would only allow me to sit the foundation papers...I could only achieve a maximum grade of C. I was good at maths too! I was in the middle class but, before taking ill, I was about to be moved to the top class (it never happened due to my illness).

Anyway, I went on to achieve a good degree and Masters but wish I had done maths again! Ah well! I did do some of my GCSE's again to improve from a C.

I wonder if I could persuade the university to allow me to do the maths specialism. The little extra would make a huge difference.

A supply agency has told me that I will have no problem getting work as a TA or cover supervisor and it will give me that extra bit of experience. They have also guaranteed local work. I would like to do maths group work (love going through SATS papers).