A thread for those starting a PGCE in September 2020

[RooTheRabbit]

Hello

Is anyone else starting a PGCe in September?

I'm doing a university-based one, starting September 15th, I think.

They've said that they're moving all the academic bits to the first semester, and focusing on the practice in semester 2, whereas usually it's a bit more blended.

Yep me! Schools based, start on 14th September and in school 2 weeks later. Has been slightly re jigged to allow schools to settle in September before we're added to the mix.

Excited, but terrified!!!

Given the circumstances, I think we may have a slightly easier route than normal? The classes won't be as big, and poor behavior will be taken more seriously?

My Uni has said that if the schools are still locked down in semester 2, then we may just do the teaching practice at Uni with each other?

@RooTheRabbit have you been into at all school since lockdown?

No, I was at university and supposed to graduate this month!

Do you already work in a school?

@RooTheRabbit yes I do, as a TA. I think if anything next year will be much harder than usual, because of the fall out from covid. That's Primary though.

Well done on your graduation 🎓

Hi, I'm starting a School Direct PGCert in September. I already work in the school as a TA but of course it's all going to look a little different in September! Excited but nervous too.

Trying to arrange childcare but so many unknown quantities at the moment. My university days will all be online for at least the first term.

Have either of you read the PGCE handbook yet?

Yes, I've also been told that the 1st semester is almost certain to be 100% remote.

No we haven't been given that just yet. Have a HUGE list of pre course tasks to do though which I can get on with once school breaks up.

Our induction was via zoom, but we're in central training (can be spaced out in a large room) for 2 weeks in September and then in school from last week in Sept. In a normal world we would be in school from 1st with one day training per week, but we're now having the training up front.

I am due to start university based PGCE in secondary history. No idea yet what it will look like, which is hard as I have 3 kids at 2 different schools and I can't make any plans yet so no idea if it will even be doable.
Interesting some of you aren't going into schools till second semester...

I think in many ways we will probably have it a bit easier than normal. My Uni has said that semester 1 will just be online classes and assignments. They said it's unlikely that I'll be in a school until at least January.

Just wondering easier in what way? I'm all for an easy life but don't the teaching standards still have to be met and 120 days teaching provided?

IME behaviour hasn't improved through lockdown, if anything those already struggling are now finding it even more tricky.

I too need to sort childcare and that is the tricky bit as the wraparound care isn't open at the minute!

By easier, I mean that the university side of things is likely to be entirely online (thus no traveling, full days out of the house, etc.). The Uni I'm going to is about 30 minutes travel from my house, so I'll save a fair bit of time and money in the 1st semester compared to normal.

At the moment, I guess we don't know what the teaching side of things will look like. However, my Uni has a contingency plan which involves us teaching to each other rather than in a school. But who knows, at this stage.

Teaching to each other? I don't see how that will work or be beneficial

Not too sure either?
I can see less travelling to lectures being helpful though in terms of time.

I am expecting this year to be harder if anything. Lots of catching up to do, lots of behaviour / emotional issues, ever changing guidance, further possible local lockdowns. I don't feel I've picked the 'best' year to train tbh but I don't have time on my side to delay!

Do you guys have your police check done yet?

My Uni said that they will contact me soon to arrange this, but I haven't heard anything yet. I'm worried that the CRBs will be on hold at the moment due to COVID?

I'm sending mine off today. Had my last DBS done in March and it was back within a few weeks.

That sounds promising

What documents did you have to provide for the CRB? Just so I can get ready

Usual proof of ID - passport, birth certificate, recent utility bill. They will send you a list of what is required.

Hello, can I join you?

I've got my interview for the PGCE course (Primary SEND) on Friday. I'm so nervous!

How did your interview go @SierraOscar ?

@RooTheRabbit thank you for asking. They asked 10 questions, 8 questions I answered really well, 1 I think I missed the point slightly and 1 of them I just didn't understand, I was honest with them about it.

Overall I think they liked me. I'll come back within the next 10 days and let you know.

How is everyone else?

@SierraOscar

Sounds like it went well. Good luck.

Are you applying for the Sept 2020 intake?

That's what I'm doing, but I haven't even been asked to sort my CRzb yet, so I'm getting a bit worried!

@RooTheRabbit yes, I'm applying for this years intake, otherwise I would talk myself out of it!

@namechangedyetagain

When you applied for the CRB, who did you show your ID etc to? Was it over Skype? Or did you have to go somewhere in person?

They've asked me to upload my passport, degree transcripts etc., and they said that I will need to arrange a Skype call and hold the documents up. This was just to verify me to the Uni, not for the crb. I'm wondering how they're doing the CRB in lockdown?

Hi @RooTheRabbit for the DBS, I showed the documents to the course provider via zoom, but will need to take them in in person to be verified before the course starts in September.