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 That does sound traumatic! I was lucky there's a test center in my nearest city, which is also where I did my undergraduate degree, so I'm relatively familiar with it. I did find the levels of security around the test a bit much though!

@QuantumPixies That's such a shame, but I am sure you will ace your interviews!

Yes, I'd like to find the people who can find the time to cheat in 18 seconds...

Yeah, my glasses were checked- I guess for a listening or recording device. I am also intrigued as to who wants to cheat that badly!

I'd lost a bit of motivation for my SKE, especially as my tutor is holiday.

However, my bursary payment scehule came today so that's got me going again.

I think motivation is hard with any sort of distance learning. I think that you're having to absorb huge amounts of information, so it's important to take regular breaks rather than trying to power through! I'm aiming to do 5 hours a day, but when I'm watching video lectures etc it's usually on a 1hr on 20mins off sort of schedule.

Payment is always motivating though!

I watch the videos in the bath. It gives me an excuse to have a long soak

That’s rubbish quantum I understand how it feels to be psyched for something, you just wanna get it done!

Changebags Videos in the bath sounds amazing- I like to make active notes from the videos though so I don't think that would work for me!

Passed my second SKE assignment :)

Good news about the assignment lady.

I’ve heard from one of my choices and they’re going to interview me for their PGCE course after Easter. The salaried route I would have preferred is already full (it’s a shame that didn’t show on the UCAS site when I applied) but really liked the look of them and I would have still gone for the PGCE there anyway. Fingers crossed! I’m glad it’s all getting going now.

Good Luck QuantumPixies. It's a shame about the salaried route but at least they have offered you an alternative.

The interview details have come through today and it looks like it’ll be a good day. I’ve got some time to work with actual children which will should be fun. It’s not until after Easter. I finish school tomorrow so lots of time to prepare too.

My final reference finally came back, so I have just submitted my application!

Oooo it's getting very exciting for you two!

I’ve got great news-the head has decided to sponsor my training so I’ll be able stay at my school (which I really like) and get paid a salary. I’m really happy!

Good luck sofa! What subject are you applying for?

Congrats @QuantumPixies, that's great news.

Good luck @Sofabitch.

Biology!

Great news on your salaried route!

Fantastic news!

How is everyone getting on? I've nearly completed the third module on my SKE, passed the first two which is good :)

I have also sorted out most of my uni related admin!

Obviously the SKE is giving me a lot to do, but since January I have spent a lot of time applying, then preparing for and going to interviews, then sorting out the initial round of paperwork! So it feels a bit weird not to have all of this pressing admin to do!

I'm still on my second assignment! This is a very long unit though. It's three times the length of all the others. So I'm trying not to feel anxious it's not done yet.

My uni has asked me to look at all rhe sciences too (although they're not conditions for passing the SKE). So I've been picking up the extra units in those too.

I think I am also done with all my admin!

Has anybody applied for training scholarships? I'm MFL so have applied for the British Council one. Noticed they have opened a second round of applications, not sure if that's a good sign or not!

If it's like the Physics one then they'll have a number of rounds. The next Physics round closes in early April. I was thinking about that one, but I'm not quite ready.

What I like about them is the support and ideas I might gain.

Ok first interview through!
Its spurred me to book my skills test. Not that I've found any time to revise yet! However i clicked my locak centre bu the conformation email has it somewhere totally different.

I have to give a 10 minute mini teach to other interviewiees on basically anything i like.

sofa I don’t know where you are in the country but the Bristol test centre is moving to Southmead from the city centre at the start of April. Could that be what’s happened with your booking?

Good luck with your interview. 10 minutes is a much more sensible amount of time for a mini teach. I’ve only got 5minutes. What are you thinking of doing?

Just a quick update - I passed both my skills tests on Thursday (last week) so the only thing left to do now is to complete a 12 week SKE course.

I am quite pleased about the SKE course because I am currently going through the GCSE syllabus for my subject and making notes on each criteria so the SKE course should completely refresh my knowledge in time for September.