PGCE final weeks and I'm really struggling

[2isamagicnumber]

Just wanted some advice and hopefully encouragement!

I'm in my final placement at a school. I have received a requires improvement in my observation today. I'm just so drained and starting to feel like if I receive requires improvement now I will struggle working as an actual teacher.

School and Uni have been amazing. Very positive and supportive. I have received 4 good observations and 3 requires improvement. I've been told I will pass but I'm starting to worry about whether I will be able to step up as a teacher.

Last placement, KS1, went much better with all my observations rated as good.

It's my behaviour management which has been identified as a weakness. I have steps in place to help me for my last observation next week.

I should probably add I'm a single parent so this is adding to my tiredness.

Thanks if you've read this far! I would just like to hear if anyone has been in this position or has any advice?

Of course you'll be fine

RI - most of us have had that judgement at one time or another. You just can't be perfect all the time!

You can so totally fucking nail this! Dig deep and find some inner strength.

Be consistent with your behaviour management. What is the behaviours policy of the school? What are the class rules? Know them inside and out, know how you escalate things, know who can ask for help to step in if you need to.
Reward and praise too. Make it specific, make sure you name the positive behaviours- drop the "well done/good boy/girl" and make sure you're using specific language-
"Your handwriting is very neat, look how all your letters are joining up"
"I can see you thought hard about that task and used the tool kit to use 3 adjectives"

Planning- are you working through your plans? Are you making the content challenging? How are you making sure that quality first teaching is meeting the needs of all your kids?

You can do it! 3 weeks is nothing, ask for help at home, give yourself some time to give yourself enough time to plan and reflect.

Hi there,
Just popped in to say that I've been there. I've been a single parent since before starting my PGCE, and I was worn down to a sliver by the end of it- I just about crawled over the finish line clutching my pass, but my confidence was in tatters. I just about scraped through. Don't for a second underestimate what you have been through this year: it will have taken its toll on your energy and resilience.
I'm still a teacher (and still a single parent-never any time to meet anyone!) and love my job. Behaviour management is much easier when they are all yours from the start; you'll feel better after the summer break; and you should always remember that you are doing a wonderful thing for yourself and your kids.
Hang in there, and pm me if you need secondary English resources emailed.

Oh thank you so much for the replies, they've really helped.

I am trying to balance positive praise and following the behaviour management policy.

I'm struggling with being consistent and find the behaviour much more challenging than my previous schools.

My SBT has suggested using a checklist so I can make sure I remain consistent, hopefully that will help. I seem to get a bit flustered during observations when I know children are being disruptive.

Burn I'm glad to hear from
a single parent whose actually teaching. Gives me hope that I will be able to do it!

Thanks again