DT PGCE starting in Sept - any tips?!

[April2013]

If anyone has any advice or tips please let me know…kind of know what I’m in for but also feel like I totally don’t! I’m doing the university route, looks like placements will be in schools with OK behaviour. My biggest fear is the public speaking but I know that if I feel the fear and do it anyway it should be ok in the end but still bricking it. I love the subject and the fact it is so practical. My previous experience is SEND tutoring and I come from a family of teachers but this is a whole new direction for me after being a SAHM.

I have no advise but me too 🙋‍♀️. I’m doing a food and nutrition PGCE and have never worked it schools before and don’t know where my placements will be yet.

Hi! I have a secondary teacher friend who has reassured me on the public speaking front that teenagers are easier to talk to than adults which I think is totally true once you get more used to it…however I’m sure it can also be super difficult and stressful if not going well on that front. She’s also said that if you imagine they are your own kids that helps. I think I’ll be doing Food as part of my course also. I have had 1 day at a school and the impression I get is the most important thing is to try and be nice/fun and not annoyed and grumpy and probably that’s more important than maybe not being the best at public speaking etc. Feels like the next few weeks is the calm before the storm!

Please don't try to be nice and fun!

There's a reason they tell you not to smile until Christmas!! Firm and fair all the way.

I wouldn't think of it as public speaking. Yes, you need to communicate, but it's more about hooking them in, checking they understand - what you get out of them and how you make them think, rather than saying all the things you know to an engaged audience.

Firm but fair with the kids is a definite. Stick to your boundaries, allow take-up time. Focus on. The positives and give lots of praise for good behaviours. Ensure that you manage your workload so you don’t become overwhelmed. I recommend reading up over the summer. Subject texts and GCSE texts and I’d suggest Tom Bennet ‘Reading the Room’ for behaviour. Good luck

Thanks so much for this help you 3! I have so much to learn!! Going to read up as much as I can over the summer alongside as much practical preparation that I can do. I am very daunted but excited. My overall feeling is that I should expect a lot of hardship and stress, expect to feel totally overwhelmed and to just try and push through and enjoy the positives and see if I can rise to the challenge. I know so many teachers are desperately unhappy and want to or have left but I am optimistic about the opportunities this will give me and hopefully there will be some good moments.

That’s the spirit. It’s bloody hard work but on the whole I’m still enjoying 20 plus years in. BTW it’s ’Running the Room’ by Tom Bennett