PGCE etc 2018 applications anyone?

[QuantumPixies]

Anyone else applying this time around? My UCAS form is not far off going in and I’ve got a sudden panic that I’m already late applying and I won’t get any offers or interviews.

It would be great to chat with other people applying this year and share our triumphs and woes!

[Greenshoots1]

Maybe you are jealous because between us we have the positivity to excel and you obviously didn't.

what makes you think I don't excel at teaching?

You see, this is the level of ignorance i am talking about.

You think being positive and wanting to excel makes you somehow different from everybody else who has gone in before you. Don't you think everyone who hs ever entered teaching has been positive and wanted to excel? Why do you think so many careers have ended up with life long physical and mental health problems, and even suicide? It isn't because the individuals concerned were laid back, laissez-fayre, uncaring, uncommitted teachers who didn't put much of themselves into the job!

[thecatfromjapan]

OK. This thread has been utterly de-railed.

It's a support thread for people applying for their PGCE.

Can we respect that?

You know, since we're adults, and (at least nominally) committed to facilitating the growth in knowledge and experience of others.

And, yes, I realise I contributed to the de-railing.

Good luck to all of you applying for a PGCE place. I wish you success. Don't worry too much about the skills test - you'll be fine.

Enjoy your Christmas.

I've never re-posted one of my posts. But I'm doing it now. And i may even keep doing it.

[QuantumPixies]

I'm offering the benefit of my experience and knowledge to warn people that they are sleep walking blindfolded into a hellish experience that could wipe out years of their life and leave them permanently damaged.

I’ve already said I’m not going in blind. I work in a school. I know what it’s like and how stressful it can be.

You’ve made your point and thrown in a load of irrelevant nonsense about bursaries. How about starting your own thread about how crap teaching is and leaving us suckers to talk about how we make our terrible career choice work without the benefit of your “wisdom”?

[Greenshoots1]

It sounds as if the school you are if is not a very school at all, dropping computer science as a subject when it is part of the National Curriculum and I certainly wouldn't want my kids to go to a school like this

The school I am currently working in is the best I've been in in 30 years in education. It does not follow the national curriculum, no. You will find many of the best schools don't. Again, a huge gap in your knowledge and understanding of the UK education system. You really need to be very concerned about how little you know, and do something about it, before you commit yourself.

I would not hesitate to put my own children into this school, and I would say that about less than half the schools I've worked in.

[thecatfromjapan]

Greenshoots

I get that you are lonely and sad. I get that you are angry. I get that you feel no-one is listening to you

BUT

This thread is not about you.

Stop hi-jacking it.

PGCE would-be started this thread as a place for them to talk about that experience.

Let them have that space. Don't steal it.

The behaviour you're exhibiting is skirting pretty close to trolling. If you genuinely are a teacher, however much you are disenchanted with the profession at the moment, please act like a teacher and a legitimate poster and not a troll.

[thecatfromjapan]

OK. This thread has been utterly de-railed.

It's a support thread for people applying for their PGCE.

Can we respect that?

You know, since we're adults, and (at least nominally) committed to facilitating the growth in knowledge and experience of others.

And, yes, I realise I contributed to the de-railing.

Good luck to all of you applying for a PGCE place. I wish you success. Don't worry too much about the skills test - you'll be fine.

Enjoy your Christmas.

I've never re-posted one of my posts. But I'm doing it now. And i may even keep doing it.

[Greenshoots1]

I get that you are lonely and sad. I get that you are angry. I get that you feel no-one is listening to you

listen to yourself! someone provides you with information that you should be in possession of before committing years of your life, and thousands of pounds to something.

You don't like what you hear, so you call that person lonely, sad, angry, not listened to and a troll!!??

I am none of those things! I am simply telling you a few home truths that you don't want to hear, that's all! your response says a lot about why you are so ignorant in the first place

[QuantumPixies]

green I’ve reported you for constantly derailing the thread. I’m not responding to you any more and I hope others will do the same.

So, back on topic. I need a new interview outfit after my very helpful husband washed my dry clean only dress and it shrunk. How smart should I go? Suit or more casual?

[thecatfromjapan]

Quantum I went for my interview in a jersey blazer/cardigan thing, a fairly casual, knee-length dress and ballet flats. Basically, a clean and ironed version of what I would wear in a classroom.

I don't think I met anyone in a suit. But I don't think many in jeans, either.

Definitely wear something you feel happy and confident in.

[MaisyPops]

green
I think what people are getting at is there is a difference between passing on practical advice with good intentions (at least I hope people have taken my advice on placements as friendly advice) and coming onto a thread where people are career changing and basically telling them it's a horrible mistake & some sort of hellish nightmare and not to bother.

[QuantumPixies]

Brilliant-that was my instinct cat. I’ve seen a really pretty knee length dress in Cath Kidston. This could be just the excuse to buy it that I’ve been looking for.

[thecatfromjapan]

Yay! I think if your interview dress is also a dress you really wanted to buy, it's a seriously good omen for the interview.

[MaisyPops]

thecatfromjapan
When I interview, I expect to see people dressed business casual at least (though in secondary on job interview days it's almost always jacket/blazer for women and suit for men).

I did have one moment where I questioned a prosepctive trainee's judgement when they turned up in dark jeans with a full sleeve of tatoos out of a more floaty going out type top. They'd clearly made an effoet but when lots of schools have staff dress codes and quite a few expect tattoos to be covered (not saying this is right or otherwise), I felt how they presented themselves was poor judgement.

[HoppyCopter]

You don't need to pay back a bursary. The only time I can think of having to pay back training costs is with a pgcei, in an independent school. As green is talking about not following national curriculum, perhaps this is the case?

Either way, good luck with your interview.

[QuantumPixies]

That’s really useful maisy. This would definitely be suitable for business-dark green with flowers and cut not too tight. I’d wear with black opaque tights and some comfy Clark’s heels I bought to wear to school but never have because I walk around too much. Plus I think I’ve got a black jacket that would go.

When I went for my TA interview, one of the other candidates was wearing a hoodie and jeans, and looked like they needed a good wash. People make odd choices!

[MaisyPops]

That sounds lovely quantum.
And yes people do make odd choices.

Best advice I was given is if you have to ask if it's fine to wear then it probably isn't (at least until you've got to know the school).
E.g. my last school were horrendous about what staff wore and were very corporate with their image and would have words with anyone who didn't look the part
My current school wouldn't accept people looking scruffy but it's perfectly accepable for me to wear leggings, tunic top and blazer and for men to wear shirt, tie and jumper rather than suits.

[crazycatgal]

Wear whatever you would wear in the classroom. I'm wearing smart trousers, a smart top, a cardigan and flat shoes.

[PersianCatLady]

My first choice for my PGCE is the school that I went to myself and my son left there in July - You don't get to choose (at least i have never come across it as a trainee or a mentor)
I will rephrase, the school that I am talking about is the lead school for my first choice of SCITT program. They have said that one of my two placements will definitely be at the lead school, if I get a place on the course.

For the subject that I want to teach, two SCITT trainees are taken on each year.

Both of the trainees do one placement at the lead school (not at the same time) and one placement at another school in the programme.

[PersianCatLady]

I am sorry, you are mistaken or misinformed, as I said, I can't say exactly what schemes it is that demand this, but it is a fact, and you need to research this, in case it is the entry route that you are taking
OK then seeing as you know so much about it, why don't you post a link to the details where it specifically says that you have to pay the bursary back.

[PersianCatLady]

One school had several departments run ENTIRELY by individuals who could not leave, either because they would lose residency, or because they would have to repay training costs
"Residency" - are you in the UK?

Also, surely if you leave then you are losing your "residency" any way??

[PersianCatLady]

*It's a support thread for people applying for their PGCE - Can we respect that?
Thank you thecatfromJapan for your post.

I am so sad that this thread has ended up like this.

[MaisyPops]

PersianCatLady
That makes sense. So it's somethibg specific for your training provider.

Sorry for jumping the gun there then. When we've done information evenings, we've had some prospective trainees say things like 'i don't drive but school x y z are on the bus route' and we have to manage expectations that 'yes those 2 schools are placement schools, but we don't know what they'll offer year to year and you could end up with a school elsewhere in our provider region'.

[PersianCatLady]

MaisyPops
I think you are right there.

[Pinkguitar3]

Hi everyone,
I applied to do a secondary PGDE (in Scotland) had an interview which I was really worried about, but seemed to go okay on the day, and have heard today I have been accepted! If I can do it you can too, good luck everyone!

[crazycatgal]

@Pinkguitar3 Well done! I hope you enjoy it.