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.

Changebagsandgladrags Yes, I'm also impressed by the amount of optional content that you get access too with Vidlearn. I believe you can keep access to this even after you finish the course which could be useful during the PGCE year.

I've just started my first module! Have you done any assessments yet? How did you find them?

I'm about half way through my first assignment. Going OK so far!

I’ve heard that the tes ske isn’t that great forever maybe have a look at some reviews 1st? X

That sounds good Changebagsandgladrags I'm hoping my welcome pack comes soon and then I can hopefully start my first assignment the end of next week. I'm feeling nervous as I haven't done any academic written work for years!

I'm waiting for my references to come back. It feels like it is taking forever!

I'm really struggling to practise the skills tests as I only have a Mac book and they don't seem to load properly!

Congrats to every one getting offers back

I’m in the same position sofa. I sent the requests out a week ago and I’m really keen to get going now.

What’s your subject? I’ve had a couple of snow days so DH has been practice interviewing me ready for when the form actually gets submitted. I haven’t looked at the skills tests yet but I’m sure they’ll be ok.

If you're waiting for references to come back then spend the time going over your subject at GCSE level. I was shocked at how quickly interviews came through once the UCAS form was all done.

I’m primary change. . Thanks for the tip about quick interviews though. I’ve made sure I’ve got an outfit sorted, I’m practising questions with dh, thinking about the sorts of activities that I might be asked to do on interview and have organised all my certificates into a smart folder. Not that I’m a bit keen or anything...

Sofabitch That's a pain, as it's good to get used to the format. There are also paper downloadable versions so you can see the types of questions. You could look at these then maybe borrow a laptop to have a go at one of each in the test format?

QuantumPixies Don't expect lots of notice for interviews, either. Two of mine gave me one week's notice (The other one gave me three weeks notice, but they organised their interview days by subject, so a bit different).

Hopefully both your references submit soon!

I'm trying to work through all the admin I have to do now I have a place- I've been a bit hindered by the snow! I have sent off for my DBS check, and have a doctor's appointment tomorrow to sort out the health form. I've got to phone student finance tomorrow and also sort out a primary school placement for two weeks in September (but hoping the primary where my auntie works will have me).

I'm not doing too well on the literacy tests. Don't get me wrong, I'm passing them but my spelling and grammar is carrying my shocking results in comprehension

Changebagsandgladrags If you look at the guidance available with the answers for the pdf style tests, there's some advice about what they are looking for in the comprehension sections. Still, if you're passing, I wouldn't worry. I found the actual tests a little easier than the practices.

Started my first vidlearn course assignment today. I think I'll need to edit it a lot before I submit it, but I think starting from a blank page is the hardest part! I feel like I'm putting too much information on my slides for it to be a good teaching resource, but equally I want to show the examiners what I know! Hopefully once I've done my first assignment, I'll have a better grasp as to what they're after and feel a bit more confident putting them together.

Good luck to everyone at every stage!

Thanks. I'm struggling with the whole 'supported by' 'implied' 'implicitly contradicted' 'explicitly contradicted' questions. I get them wrong every time.

On my assignments I'm doing font size 28 so I can't fit many words on. Fecking diagrams are taking ages though

I definitely feel like my assignment is too wordy atm- maybe I'll split things up a bit more and have less on each slide! At the moment I'm focusing on getting the information down, and then maybe I'll try and summarize things and make them a bit more interesting!

If it helps, I'm pretty sure I only had one question of that kind on my actual skills test!

My form went in tonight. I’m glad it’s gone but annoyingly, I printed a copy after sending and then spotted my DoB was wrong. Need to contact them tomorrow and get it changed. What a bloody twit.

That's exciting QuantumPixies Good luck!

Sent off my student finance declaration today, and my health form- slowly chipping away at my uni admin!

Waiting for my references is taking forever!!!

Sofabitch If you've been waiting for more than two weeks, I think you can get UCAS to email them and prompt them to hurry up!

Submitted my first SKE assignment today! It's a topic I'm fairly comfortable with, so hopefully it's alright- but I'm a bit worried I haven't done exactly what they're looking for. Hopefully I'll get some useful feedback to make the other assignments a bit easier.

it has only been a week just feels a lot longer!!

I got offered my first interview 36 hours after submitting the form! Very exciting. There are a few dates I couldn’t do due to work so it’s not for three weeks. I’m sort of pleased but it gives me longer to fret!

That is exciting QuantumPixies- good luck!

Hopefully you will hear something soon Sofabitch

Thanks lady. There seem to be lots of elements to the interviews including 5 minutes to teach something to a group of adults but I’m sure it’s going to be ok.

Do you see the people who will be your referees sofa? I “checked” they’d received the email from UCAS which was a low key “hurry up, please!”

Quantum Yeah, all of my interviews had 3/4 elements- presentation/miniteach, written task, individual interviews and sometimes a group discussion.

Longer to prepare for too quantum
I had a 15/20 min mini teach, individual interview and a subject audit.
Started at 9 for both of them and done by 11:30

Yes I already did that ;) 1 reference is back i suspect my uni tutor is just swamped as he is usually very good.