2017/18 PGCE thread anyone?

[UdonKnowMe]

2 weeks to go and I've hit a wall of self-doubt and panic!! Anyone else in the same boat? I can't even imagine the logistical nightmares of schools (mine and the DC's) plus a shift working husband.
I'd planned a whole summer of subject cramming but I've done bugger all.
Someone tell me I'm not alone?!

I also start in just under two weeks I'm teaching secondary in my degree subject. I'm just coming to the end of a SKE course which has been a lot of work but I've really enjoyed it.
I'm not too concerned about logistics as I decided to wait till my children had left school as I couldn't see my doing it whilst they were at school TBH.
But it is a big step for me. I'm leaving a profession which I hate which I'm considered to be very good at and has been my life since I left school and has contributed hugely to the person I am warts and all. Now my children have left school and I'm not juggling things the alternative option would have been to go onto a senior role in my current job. But teaching has been my ambition for well over 10 years it's just never been the right time.
I am working on the basis that the PGCE is going to be a lot of work, both in terms of studying and in my placement school(s). I understand by Xmas I'll be teaching 6-8 lessons a week, Xmas is not that far away.
I've fairly recently passed the QTS numeracy and literacy job I waited until I'd left my current job and have now ordered some of the books on the reading list so it's really happening. It is very exciting.
I got my place in the autumn term last year which seems an awfully long time ago, I was was really chuffed when I got it but I think I slightly went off the boil around March, I'd done all my observation days etc and put it to one side and was carrying on with my job. I started wondering if I was doing the right thing but I think its normal to feel like this when you've made such a big decision. Anyway now we're nearly there I'm all fired up again.
I do take the view if it's a disaster I can sadly easily return to my current occupation, but at least I will have given it a go.

Tests not job.

I completed my PGCE a few years ago and I won't lie it is tough!
Depending on your uni requirements you should be teaching your full student teacher timetable by November...11 hours a week for me.
Be prepared to spend a LONG time planning at the start but it does get easier.

This is an opportunity to have fun with some ideas you might have and if they don't work as well as you'd hoped just reflect back on why (was it your delivery/prep/not suitable for the kids) and build on it next time.

SHARE SHARE SHARE resources!! Between your cohort, and placement schools....and any other student teacher you can find. Take what they have (if you can) and put your own twist on it. It's good practise for the future and there is no point trying to reinvent the wheel each lesson!

It goes ridiculously quickly and before you know it you're in a school teaching 20-22 hours a week!

Not every lesson will go well but the important thing is to reflect back on what could've been done better and build on it, you're learning to be a teacher so no one is expecting you to be perfect from the get go.
Some people can be crap at giving feedback to you, but it really is such a useful tool! Ask other teachers how they think the lessons went, what could you have done better....you can even ask the kids how they liked the last lesson (well...some classes you can!), what would they like to see more of, what they didn't feel worked for them. The worst PGCE students I came across (during my training and since) were those that just simply refused to accept feedback (and yes sometimes criticism).

Sorry, this turned into a huge essay!!

Best of luck for the coming year!!

I'm training through a local SCITT rather than a university my nearest universities aren't that near 45+ miles and then wouldn't guarantee where they'd send me.

Thanks for the advise blondielocks are you teaching primary or secondary?

If it's not been set up already, set up a Facebook group for your cohort- that help and support really got me through my PGCE 3 years ago.
OP get your childcare sorted- you will be doing late nights and early mornings. I worked until after midnight every night at home too (really not exaggerating).
Fill up your freezer now with lots of batch cooking and warn your husband you will need him.
It will be worth it but it is a very tough year- not trying to put you off, just want you to being going into it with your eyes open. And sort as much Xmas stuff as you can now - we had an essay due on 20th Dec no cards were sent that year!

I'm starting the final year of my undergrad in September but we join the PGCE's. It's our 'professional year' and means we get QTS plus an honours degree in three years.

I'm beyond nervous but excited at the same time. I'm sick of sitting in uni and just want to get out there!

We've been told we'll be teaching 13 hours after our initial observation period of six weeks.

Our group seems to be getting smaller and smaller so I'll definitely be taking Blondie's advice and recruiting any other students in school to pool resources.

Good luck everyone!

Thanks for the advice everyone, much appreciated - I'm soaking it all in!

@Anewcareerforme I'm also doing secondary at a Scitt. Also a career changer, albeit not recent as I've been TA'ing for a couple of years.
I'm lucky that my main placement is 10 minutes drive away and my second even closer. That, plus pretty good school wrap around care means that hopefully I can get home at a decent time.

@Blondie At this point I cannot even imagine that many hours teaching so soon 😂 I need to keep reminding myself that the whole point of training is learning. Doesn't help that friends and family find the idea of me being a teacher hilarious

I am going to apply to start a SCITT program in September 2018, so I hop you don't mind if I look at this thread for advice.

PersianCat go to as many get into teaching open days/evenings as you can. I found it very jargon heavy in the beginning although I didn't even know what a SCITT was when I started I thought everyone trained through a university. SCITTs vary in size some are huge (schools across the whole county) others are just single schools, decide what you think will be best for you. I chose a medium sized 1, other trainees teaching my subject (unlike the single school one where I would have been the only teacher in my area), but small enough to actually know who I am and where I live so not send me to a school the other side of the county. We live on the border of three counties so had the option of grammar schools, very wealthy white middle class rural community or a more deprived area all within reasonable driving. At one open morning the deputy head said try and choose what interests you, what your drawn too.
Also try and observe lessons in different types of schools this will also help you decide what sort of school you might want to train in (if you have options).
My subject/degree is very much in demand so I was given a mentor to guide me through the process and he read over my personal statement and discussed what I might be asked at the interview.
I found everyone really helpful and welcoming, they answered my many questions in an ho st way. I also talked to other prospective trainees at the open days and listened to what they'd discivered and why they were choosing X SCITT or Y university. It all helps you make a decision.
If you can get the QTS numeracy and literacy test done ASAP, I think you have to have applied through UCAS at the very least, I was very busy at work so only recently sat it it sort of hung over me. The maths looked quite difficult at first (I'm no mathematician I last do maths seriously at school 35+ years ago) but it's not actually difficult if you practice it; there's government website with on line practicd papers I did those till I got it right.

Anewcareerforme
I am just about to sign up for an open day at my favourite school now.

I have done the numeracy papers a few times for practice and I found them OK but I am quite good at maths.

I am going to practise the literacy ones soon.

Thanks for the advice.

Sorry all, been in the sticks all day with little to no signal!

I'm a secondary teacher, currently in an all girls school in London.

It's tough, you WILL most likely cry (more than once) but it is also amazing. SLT and your colleague departments can make or break you sometimes, but if you are on multiple placements (I did two) then just keep plowing through and know that it's only a matter of weeks to get through. No experience will be a waste as it might help you get a good idea in your head of the type of school that you eventually will want to get a job in.

Use your cohort for support, they will be going through the same emotions as you, and also use any mentors/tutors too....they are there to help you progress and develop into teachers!

Good luck all!
X

Science NQT here. Just wanted to say:

It might not make you cry! If you're coming from a different career, particularly if you were relatively senior or had a very responsible job, you might find being a student again, allowed to make mistakes and try things out, and not be the absolute authority on everything, to be extremely refreshing and quite relaxing!

...provided you can take the criticism. Really important. Maintaining a professional distance during placements might work well for you - it did for me. I saw them as temporary learning experiences for me to get as much information and help from as possible. I expected to be a bit rubbish at teaching; I had five years of training before an entry-level low-responsibility job in last career. Starting training you need to expect to be a bit rubbish at it; I am starting NQT with a lot more experience but I have a HUGE amount to learn. It is also hugely in your mentors' interests for you to do well, and be a glowing example of their impact when you leave, so what they are telling you will generally be in that spirit - and if it's not then DO something about it.

Exercise is also very good for maintaining a grip on the outside world and reality. Bit of headspace can help you be clear about exactly how long it is worth spending searching TES for the perfect resource when Y8 would probably be more than happy with the pretty-good one you actually already have - if you spend your time thinking through delivery.

I'm starting a primary SCITT course next week. I'm a career changer but have worked in a school recently so do have some direct experience of education. I'm nervous about managing the workload and my own children/family life, although I have had a high pressure job in the past. I'm excited too though.

Watching with interest. DD1 is starting her PGCE next month. I have no intention whatsoever of getting involved in the nitty gritty of that but I'm watching for tips to help keep her sane at home. I'll probably commit the MN cardinal sins of cooking her meals and washing and ironing her clothes but is there anything else you can suggest?

Just to say I came to teaching slightly later (late twenties) after a very stressful high responsibility job in the city (managerial, high salary in a global company).

Teaching is still very stressful at times, but I'm so glad that I took the plunge and retrained. People told me I was mad to take such a huge pay cut but it's honestly one of the best things I have ever done!

Although the butterflies for GCSE results day tomorrow have definitely started!

I start school direct this September too! Nervy as I'm teaching a few hours a week of a secondary shortage subject as well as pgce in my subject so I'm timetabled from day 1.

Just checking in..... I start my PGCE Geography next week and think I have made a terrible mistake!
Neither of my degrees are in Geography and I feel hopelessly under prepared for the whole course.
I don't have young DCs so no worries about childcare but I am getting terribly worried about the workload!

Geographytrainee have you done a geography SKE course? I'm assuming you have A level geography? Are you degrees remotely related to geography? Do you like geography?
I've PMd you.

Pm'ed you back. ☺️

I'm about to start with a SCITT training to teach secondary science. I'm really lucky as I'm staying in the school I've been a TA at.

Hiya, can I join please? I applied to school direct at the end of July and have spent the summer doing my skills tests, trying to get my dbs check done and panicking because I have no idea where my placement is and I start next week. I'm regretting my last minute decision and wishing that I had applied sooner!

TheWoollybacksWife Same here! DS1 starting a School Direct PGCE in September. I fear he doesn't know what he's in for.

So when is everyone starting?

We're not back until mid September and start in schools for three days per week from the 26th.

It sounds like a few of you are starting earlier than me. Keep us all updated as to how it's going, if you have time!

I start Monday for three weeks I'm in "school" then 4 days a week in my main placement school and 1 day a week when I go back into school.