which PGCE to apply for

[isawahatonce]

I'm looking at applying to a PGCE starting in 2018. I was going to apply to the one focusing on KS2 but the university also offers one that specializes in maths. I have a maths degree and would definitely like to have a maths specialism but the description says 'An A level in Mathematics would help you on this course, but you don't need one to apply' which makes me think it's not aimed at people with maths degrees, but rather people who don't know too much maths but still want to teach it.
Now typing that I sound silly, having a maths degree probably isn't any better than having a maths A-level for teaching it at primary, the PGCE is obviously about how to teach maths, not how to do maths.
Now I don't know what I'm talking about. I'm being ridiculous, aren't I?

Is the maths specialist one still for primary school?

I’d go for that one, tbh. You’d never struggle to find a job, maths specialists at primary are in great demand. A maths degree wouldn’t necessarily make you automatically good at teaching primary level maths so focused training on that area would be beneficial for you even with a degree.

If the maths one is primary I’d also go for that - the ks2 is usually just where your placements are rather than a specialism (I did a ks1 PGCE - all taught stuff was with ks2 group only placements and a couple of tasks different) maths will give you something different to offer and make you stand out

The maths one is still for primary
noble This is what I'm thinking about it the maths degree not being helpful in that respect
Thanks to both of you, I think I will go for the maths one.

If you’re interested in maths, go for the maths specialist. I did primary PGCE with French and it was just a normal PGCE with an extra primary French module and a teaching practice in France. It hasn’t got me a job in itself but it’s certainly an added bonus and something to set you apart from all the other NQTs when applying for initial jobs.

Funnily enough I hate teaching French now though!

I did art specialism. It’s helpful as people don’t tend to like teaching art!

Are you happy to have responsibility for maths in the school? Don’t do it if you’re not.

I'd ring up and ask what the difference between the two courses is. I did a primary PGCE and we all had to choose a focus-most of did our degree subjects but we were all doing the exact same course. Which university is it?

Hi All,

I thought I would just let you know that I started a new PGCE 2018 thread here for everyone's progress updates -
www.mumsnet.com/Talk/the_staffroom/3124138-pgce-applications-for-september-2018