PGCE Placement School

[cantthinkofanythingwitty]

Hi,

I am due to start my secondary PGCE in September with my first placement starting at the beginning of Oct. Today I have been notified of my placement school and I am unsure whether it is expected that I make contact with them and introduce myself. I know its very close to the end of term and I'm not sure if meeting with me will just be a hassle they could do without at the moment.

Any advice would be great. Thanks

Wait until next term!

I'll be in the same boat as you, Cant.

So contact them prior to placement but next term, Cynderella?

Where I work they are very open to visits from PGCE students- might just be a tour with students but they are happy to accommodate

Cynderella thanks for coming back. Is that because you just would hate to be bothered this late in the term?

McDougal what course are you starting?

I'd advise emailing now to introduce yourself, and ask whether they would like you to come in before the end of term or whether they would rather you waited until September. That way the ball's in their court. Good luck!

Won't they think you're not interested if you don't contact them until September?

Thanks ducky and tissue. I'm not even sure who my contact is so I may just casually pop in to reception and leave my details.

My subject is psychology and I have been told that I would be teaching another subject alongside it but I do not know what that subject is yet so they may be able to shed some light on that for me.

I'm doing secondary English.

Can't wait to get started. I'm getting bored of the theory side of things and want to give it all a try!

Good luck

Interesting one! I have never had any of my PGCE Trainees get in contact this early-we usually get the information we need from the university. An email isn't a bad thing though but I wouldn't have time in the next two weeks to see anyone-so many changes to lessons due to activities and trips!

Good luck in September-you sound fab and the fact that you care, will help you go a long way

It's so busy this time of year, so nobody will be thinking badly of you if you don't get in touch.

If you leave it until September, the HoD is much more likely to be able to give you information about what you'll be doing. We've not even got our department timetable through yet!

For my placement, I was expected to send a letter to the head in advance and introduce myself. I was primary.

I too start PGCE secondary in September I found out from my SCITT about two weeks ago where my main placement was, later than my fellow students by about three weeks as there was staffing issues at the SCITTs first choice for me. Apparently the school has been sent my personal statement from my UCAS form, my subject knowledge audit and other stuff and I was told that they would want to meet with me before the end of term, A couple of days ago I received a very welcoming email from the school and am meeting my mentor next week.