PGCE Applications for September 2018

[PersianCatLady]

After the last thread went a bit off course and ended up dying a death, I thought that it would be nice to see where we are with our applications and to make this the go-to thread if anybody wants any help, support or just general chit-chat about their PGCE Applications for September 2018.

I am currently waiting to hear back from my UCAS application. I applied to the SCITT programmes at two local schools to do a PGCE in secondary Computer Science.

My skills tests are booked for 1 February 2018 and I am currently waiting for Amazon to deliver some books to help me prepare for the tests.

I am really looking forward to hearing how you are all getting on with your applications.

I've just applied for September, I haven't heard back yet so I am at the fingers crossed stage and hoping I can pass the skills tests. I haven't applied for them yet, I'm not sure when I should ?

@sofabitch Yay passed the skills tests easy! So much easier than the practice ones

Well done, and I'm so glad to hear that. The English practice one as fine but the maths one had me thinking that I'll never teach.

Book the skills tests right now user. The test centres will be busy with people who haven’t got round to it and need to do them ASAP. Plus, you’ll be asked on any interviews you have whether you’ve booked or passed them yet and it looks much better to say yes! If you’re not successful this time around, they last for either three or five years.

What’s your subject? Good luck.

Thanks, i will book them today. I'm applying for primary but my degree is mostly science and English.

If you’ve got a science and English degree, you shouldn’t find them too difficult.

I’m excited for September. I’ve had a few bits come through like subject knowledge audits and pre course reading. It all seems a bit real now!

Morning everyone! I finish my primary PGCE in 4 weeks.

How have you found it MissWood? I have my last interview on the 7th of June, and both of my skills tests booked for the 9th.

I've booked the literacy one but I haven't had the confirmation email for my account, annoyingly that means I can't book the maths one. It's 50 miles to the nearest centre and I can't do them both on the same day so it's going to be expensive :(

@Quantumpixies - I was tearing my hair out over the maths one and trying to scribble down sums on bits of paper. Then.....I noticed the little calculator button
Suddenly it doesn't seem so bad.

I can imagine that not spotting the calculator would make it significantly more difficult! One thing to bear in mind about the calculator is that for some inexplicable reason, it doesn’t follow BODMAS so you might need to write down and reinput some numbers part way through calculations.

Did you manage to book your other test? Very annoying that you can’t do them one after the other.

Thanks for the tip about BODMAS.

I've managed to get them both on the same day now thank goodness - maths first so the harder one is out of the way :-)

Scholarship assessment day tomorrow, fingers crossed!

Good luck

@MissWood How have you found it? And do you have any tips for those starting in September?

Hi, I'll get back to you at the weekend re advice, too busy at the moment. Speaks volumes.

So happy! Passed both of my skills tests today

Well done :) what were they like ?

Literacy was fine. Very similar to the online practice ones. Numeracy was very hard - I ran out of time before I finished the last question, and was convinced I had failed, but didn't!
I guess its a lottery of your strengths and which questions you get.

Me too crazycat I can’t wait!

I’m still waiting for student finance to pull their finger out!
They received my birth cert & sent it back! But failed to scan it on to their system, so had to send it to them again!!

I'm a bit worried about my loan application. They haven't asked for any paperwork apart from my signed loan declaration form.

Also I had a loan in the 90s (paid off). Other students have said there has been bother linking old and new accounts. SFE told me on the phone that this previous funding doesn't matter because it's a PGCE.

No-one else in my student groups seem to have been given this info and are having to faff around with marriage certificates.

Try giving them a call change, they’re helpful on the phone. It’s just online and paperwork they’re slow with!
Do you have an online account with them? Toncheck on your loan status?

I haven't been asked to send a loan declaration form; they asked for my children's birth certificate, decree absolute and tax credits award and that's it.

I have rung them. It's just odd that everyone else is being asked to send lots of paperwork.

My online account seems to suggest it's all there

I got the scholarship! It hasn't sunk in yet but I'm really happy!