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.

Forgot to update. I got in!!!

SweepTheHalls

I'm doing secondary science! I'm looking at reading lists and judging what will be useful before I start.

So excited!

Forgot to update. I got in!!!
Excellent I am really pleased for you!!

Good luck @Sofabitch

Well done @Changebagsandgladrags !

I've applied for secondary biology and got 3 offers now for Exeter, Bristol and Warwick. I've basically written off Exeter, due to the way their placements work and the fact I probably couldn't have one base for the whole year. However, I'm really struggling to decide between Bristol and Warwick. Does anyone have any advice/thoughts?

It was a good day, I am surprised at how much like hearding sheep teaching is... I did expect them to be slightly more engaged than they were but I'm going to finish my ps this weekend and send my application!

Sofabitch Were you in primary or secondary? I decided against primary teaching (which I did seriously consider) because I decided I couldn't cope with the neediness of the younger children. I think in Secondary you can train children into routines, which helps with the herding sheep/cats aspect of things. However, I think it can be hard to remember that even teenagers haven't developed all of the skills they need to be an adult yet- and part of your job as a teacher is to help them develop these life skills.

I do think you have to accept not everyone will love your subject as much as you do, and I've thought a lot about how to engage children who "don't like science" with my subject.

I hadn’t spotted this thread after my thread got totally derailed! Thanks for the new one.

I’ve been stuck waiting for a decision from the head about sponsorship for September so my form hasn’t gone in yet. It’s taken so bloody long that the course is now full. To say I’m not very pleased is an understatement but at least I know where I am.

Skills tests booked for mid March, my form is out for references so hopefully there’ll be some interviews very shortly. All the primary PGCEs I was interested in still have places so all is not lost.

Well done to everyone who has a) managed to get their form in and b) got a place sorted.

Good luck quantumpixies I've been interviewing for secondary over the past couple of weeks and it feels like everywhere still has places. Don't forget places will free up when people with more than one offer turn them down as well.

Good luck :)

Hi, can I join?

Submitted my UCAS on Monday, and have two interviews lined up for next week. Supper nervous.

The first is at my least favorite but 'safer' choice, so I'm pleased I can have a dry run before my first choice interview on Thursday.

I've only got a few days observation and will need a ske as my degrees related but not a direct route. So overall not likely to be a stare candidate. But on the plus side I'm applying for a shortage subject in a under subscribed area, and have strong academic record (in wrong subject) so might get lucky.

Also lucky that an observation day I've been trying to organise for months at first choice school is booked for Tuesday, so hopefully I can make good impression and get some inside information before interview.

Thanks lady, I’ve decided to add another provider who I’d initially ruled out as too far away to my choices and I’m sure one of them will be kind to me! I’ve got a lot of work experience (TA for over a year) so hopefully that’ll put me in a good position.

forever everyone is welcome here! What’s your subject? Good luck for the interviews.

Good luck forever I think if you are applying for a shortage subject you have a good chance. I applied for biology with a degree that was within the school of biological sciences, but not actually biology and have 3 offers, so I think you will be fine. At my last interview, I was basically told as long as candidates met a certain standard on each stage at interview, they would be offered a place.

Good luck Quantum I think work experience is great, as it gives you lots to talk about in the individual interviews. Although I haven't worked in a school, I have worked a lot with people in the age range I want to teach and I talked about this a lot at interview.

Thanks lady I’d forgotten about people with multiple offers needing to decline some. I’ve gone the opposite way and moved from secondary to primary. I like how you get them early and for better or for worse, you’ve got them all day every day so you’ve got more of an influence on them. I love the enthusiasm for the most random small things. I do miss the hard content though.

One thing to bear in mind re Bristol vs Warwick, Bristol traffic is absolutely horrendous (akin to London) so depending on whether you’re going to live in Bristol or not, it could be a really grim commute to the university or placement schools.

Thanks Quantum that is definitely a consideration. In terms of finding somewhere to live with parking and a commute to schools Warwick is definitely winning- however, I'm not sure whether choosing an option based on having an easier life is a good idea. I really, really like both options- it's a nice dilemma to have!

I do like the primary aspect of having "your" class all day for the whole year, but I just can't cope with the neediness of 30 infants, and endless patience needed for that. If I knew I could have y4 and above, that would be ideal- I think a 9-13 middle school would be my ideal age range in some ways (although I do like older teens too).

At least teaching a core subject I hopefully won't have classes I only see once a fortnight!

Thanks for your kind words and good look wishes, I'm just trying to put together a presentation for the interview as we speak.

I'm applying for chemistry (or science with chemistry specialism) but my MSc's is in Environmental Engineering (quite a bit of chemistry but lots of gaps) and BSc Environmental Geology (not relevant at all really). I did manage to talk to all the training setting in the area and the three I applied for said that my qualifications were good enough for me to be considered. Still worried it will put me at a disadvantage as around 50% of providers pretty much said don’t bother.

Best of look with your applications. I hope you references get back soon Quantum, I’m sure once they do you’ll be inundated with interviews.

ForeverBubblegum Chemistry is a shortage subject, so I think you've got a good chance. Science teachers in most schools are expected to teach all sciences up to KS3, so be prepared to be asked about other science subjects- I was applying for biology specialism, and asked about physics at all three interviews. Do you have science A-levels?

It may be that you are offered a place based on completing a subject knowledge enhancement course (these are 8-24 week courses run mostly by distance learning and designed to help teachers get their subject knowledge up to scratch before starting a PGCE). There's funding for this, but if you currently work full time, I'm not sure if you could fit it around a full time job?

Also, remember with the presentation, you might be presenting to non-scientist applicants, so think about making it accessible for them (not sure if it's relevant or not).

Good luck, I'm sure you'll do really well.

Congratulations persian very pleased for you!

I have my skills tests booked for mid March and I’m so relieved at the new rule change ... I’m still studying hard for the numeracy one though!

Has anyone applied for student finance yet?

I’ve had a bit of good news in that it turns out the course I want to do isn’t full after all, it was just a really badly worded message on their website. Phew! At least it’s kicked everything into gear now so the application will properly get finished off. It feels like it’s been dragging on for months.

I’m hoping to avoid student finance this time because this would be a salaried position with no tuition fees but back up is standard PGCE.

forever they’re desperately short of chemistry teachers so I’m sure you’ve got a great chance.

I haven’t started practising for skills tests yet. My degree was very maths based so I’m not too worried, yet!

Just make sure you list the modules Forever Bubblegum, so they can see the amount of Chemistry that you have that's relevant. Good luck 🤞

Hi everyone, went to first interview and it was great!

far more relaxed then I thought it would be and got a really good feeling about the uni (even though was 3rd choice). We did a written exercise which they need to mark but said in interview that as long as it comes back alright (read through quickly and said it should) they are happy to make me an offer. Wont relax entirely until its in black and white but it's looking good.

Looking at my qualification they would want me to do a 20 week SKE, so would need to sign up for by 9th and start 26th March to be finished by September. So will need to make a decision pretty quick.

I have another interview on Thursday for my first choice so hopefully I will hear one way or another in time, but the interview for other option isn't until the 8th. Not sure what to do but leaning towards an offer in the hand been worth 3 in the bush (or something). Will wait as long as I can to hear from first choice, but don't want to miss cut off for the offer I (hopefully) have, and then be left with nothing if I don't get another.

Thanks again to everyone who sent good luck, great news Quantum that your first choice is back on the table.

Wont = Won't

I should learn to spell if I'm going to be a teacher

Good luck foreverbubblegum most places I have heard back from really quickly, the longest wait was under 48 hours, so I don't think your first choice will make you wait too long :)

20 weeks is a very long SKE and other unis might make you a shorter offer, so I wouldn't think of the 6th as a hard cut off until you've heard from at least one other uni!

Good news, I got the offer through so I know I'll defiantly be going somewhere.

Bad news, first choice school is closed due to snow so cancelled tomorrows interview.

Not that it's the end of the world. I really like the place I have the offer for so even if I don't get new interview in time, I'll be happy enough.

Now I just need to worry about skills tests. I've got them booked for beginning of April so bit of time to prepare. Should be alright but I am a bit relieved they removed the lock out after 3 rule.

I've accepted my offer at Bristol and sorted out my SKE. I want to apply for student finance but the website won't play ball. Also need to do my health questionnaire and DBS check, and find a primary placement for two weeks in September (hoping the nice primary where I did some work experience will have me!).

ForeverBubblegum Just fyi, I signed up to the Sussex vidlearn SKE today, and I can start straight away although I have to wait to enroll until I receive my pack in the post and I obviously won't receive any funding until I enroll (but I don't have to pay anything either). Hopefully this means you're not stuck with 6th March as a hard deadline. I'm glad you like the place you have an offer for, though!

You seem to be making good progress Lady, pleased it's going well. My uni said to enroll with tes, though that could have just been a recommendation as it's not stipulated on offer. Will have to check out other options.

I'm quite impressed with the Vidlearn package so far. I'm doing the 16 week physics one but I have online material for Biology, Chemistry and Maths up to A level