Anyone else starting teacher training this year?

[tessiegirl]

I'm about to start a SCITT in secondary English. Excited, nervous...
Anyone else in the same boat?!

Me too! Scitt in primary. Induction on Monday. Wondering if I could have done more prep over the holiday.

Hello!
I'm in my placement school on monday, tues and wed then have induction Thursday and Friday.
I can't believe how quick the summer has gone, kept thinking I have loads of time but now here we are days away!

Start my History PGCE this year. I will do Monday at uni then rest week in placement but I don't know where that is yet.

I’m starting my PGCE in Latin with Classics next week, I can’t wait to get started but I’m so nervous too

slyoldfoxystoat you don't know where your placement is yet?

I've been treating myself to some new stationary bits

Me too. I also don’t know where I’m being placed. It’s pissing me off, I like to know what I’m doing and where I’m going.

I never realised some people don't find out their placements until the last minute! That would annoy me too

Me! I start secondary English next Monday, and find out my placement school on Wednesday. I wish I knew it already as I'm nervous enough as it is without the extra pressure of not knowing how long it will take to drive to and from the childminders etc.

Yes. Schools Direct. Excited, but quite scared!

I start my scitt on Monday. Starting to get nervous!

My dd is! Secondary school

Ah quite a few of us then!

I just want to get on with it.

I’ve got primary school age kids and I’m worried about work life balance. Just want to get started so I can see how things are going to pan out.

I did my PGCE last year and for PGCEs not knowing where you will be placed is normal- a lot of it is to do with schools not confirming they can take a trainee until the last minute, or backing out at the last minute, often due to staffing issues.

Personally, I think to succeed during a PGCE, you have to be a bit flexible and adaptable and accept that things sometimes change at the last minute. You're not 100% in control of stuff so sometimes you just have to go with it!

Anyway, it is a tough year but totally worth it when you get to the end! Good luck everyone!

Good luck to anyone staring today!

Starting, not staring ....!

First day over!
Meetings mostly. Lots of info to take in...kids back tomorrow...
How did anyone else get on today?

I feel a bit better now but had a constant headache the first few days of this week!! Information overload I think. I still feel a bit unsettled but think it will take a while to get used to it all.

I’ve had good feedback so far but haven’t done much so we will see what happens once we get properly into it.

UI feel a bit better now but had a constant headache the first few days of this week!! Information overload I think^

I had this too. Felt better towards the end of the week. Start properly on Monday, feel excited at the moment - will probably tip over into nerves by Sunday night

I've had 3 inset days, 1 day with class, 1 uni day (reading at home), and 1 big fat headache!
Good so far, but haven't actually taken the class yet.
Really need to start the lessons and beat those nerves!

I wish I was

I'm trying to find some confidence to actually believe I could do it.

Want to so badly but so scared of failing. Exactly the opposite advice to what I'd give any children!!!

When I'm at placement school I'm going to be observing lessons, attending staff meetings, mentor meeting and professional themes. It's very gradual.
I'm hoping to feel ready to perhaps teach a starter in next few weeks.

Namechanged it has taken me 8 years of being a TA/HLTA before having the confidence! When I applied I just ignored my inner demons and focussed on the immediate (Skills Tests, interview etc).

Tessiegirl I'm Schools Direct so in placement from Day 1. It doesn't feel gradual to me. But I have been working there 8 years, so have a head-start!

Can you tell me about the application process? Did you have to get your schools support? Were they the ones who suggested you do it?

I know that my lack of confidence will be the reason I back out

Yes, my school backed me. I started getting encouragement about 3 years ago from a couple of teachers. Initially I didn't believe them! It's been a slow niggle in my brain ever since.
I have been planning and teaching 3 or 4 lessons a week for 3 years already as PPA cover (and therefore hiding behind the fact that I don't really know what I'm doing, but will just do my best.)
Headteacher is 100% behind me and pushed it all to happen. I work with good people too, so I know I can ask most of them for help.
I have discovered that not all teachers are confident either, but experience helps. I finally realise that I may not be brilliant all the time, but I can only get better and better...