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.

I’ve been rejected from 3 Schools Direct places, I have a university interview next week via Skype.

@FluffyKittensinabasket - that's a shame, have they given you a reason for the rejections?

@FluffyKittensinabasket

I’ve been rejected from 3 Schools Direct places, I have a university interview next week via Skype.

Any idea as to why?

Two were salaried places and they said I didn’t have enough experience. The other one said I needed to focus more on the curriculum.

@FluffyKittensinabasket

Two were salaried places and they said I didn’t have enough experience. The other one said I needed to focus more on the curriculum.

Salaried courses are notoriously difficult to get onto even with lots of experience so don't be disheartened. Useful feedback about the curriculum though as it gives you something to work on. Do you have other applications in?

I was rejected from another training scheme before interview so this university interview is my last chance this year.

So you have something to brush up on before next week. I only applied for scitt so unsure how uni interviews would differ.

I got a place!

Congrats Fluffy

How are you celebrating?

Thank you! I’m having Indian takeaway!

Such good news, well done!

Congratulations @FluffyKittensinabasket

Out of interest (and feel free not to answer), what age/ age bracket are you all in?

I'm 30, 31 in November.

I ask because my recently-made-redundant friend is considering also joining the Sept 2020 intake. She has a degree in physics, so a short supply subject. However, she's in her late 50s and worried she will be rejected due to age?

@RooTheRabbit I used to run a SCITT. We wouldn't reject on age but we would think carefully about an application at this stage in terms of how much classroom experience they had and whether they really knew what they were about to do! We've had several older applicants in various subjects who didn't.. and that can be a very rude awakening!!

@MrsHamlet

Thanks for replying. My friend doesn't have much classroom experience. However, she has a lot of experience with children/ teenagers. She has 3 adult children and 2 grandkids who she watches most weekends. She loves being around kids and always wanted more herself. Would this help her get onto the course, so you think?

@RooTheRabbit, honestly, no! Looking after children and teaching them physics are nothing alike. That's not to say she shouldn't go for it though - but it's likely that they will ask why teaching physics and why apply now. Is it something she would have considered had she not been made redundant?

I’m actually pregnant so deferring my place.

In answer to the above question, I’m early 30s.

Congratulations @FluffyKittensinabasket 👣. Life has a different plan for you at the moment!

I would say that having your own children and looking after them is in no way the same as being in a classroom. I'm starting scitt and I'm still really anxious about it.

In the nicest possible way, I'm glad you're anxious. It's a hugely important job and what you do will change pupils' lives.
There's nothing to be scared of though. Except year 7. They're terrifying 😂

DS has just finished Y7 - there's no way on earth I'd be a secondary teacher 🤣

Year 10 upwards are fine. Y7.... nope!

I'm ploughing my way through science revision and have an exam booked on 22nd. I feel so nervous.

I also feel excited as I'm trying to be positive and I am imaging starting the course in a few weeks time!

Has anyone had any experience getting onto the PGCE with a law degree/non specific degree? I have a fresh law degree and I was thinking of doing English or History or any other shortage subject. Citizenship seems hard to get a job with seeing as schools don't always offer it at GCSE.

I have a colleague with a law degree who is an English and Law teacher. She successfully campaigned for A level law to be introduced and it's very popular.
From a recruitment point of view, I'd want to be very happy about your subject knowledge in your chosen subjects since there's no SKE for those, as I recall.

@MrsHamlet

I have a colleague with a law degree who is an English and Law teacher. She successfully campaigned for A level law to be introduced and it's very popular. From a recruitment point of view, I'd want to be very happy about your subject knowledge in your chosen subjects since there's no SKE for those, as I recall.

There is one for English but I didn't do a A level in English Lit/Language. From what I've read, some course providers require people (with non-English degree) to take it whereas some don't - I imagine it really does depend on their degree.