I don't know what to do(PGCE)...

[wideeyes]

Apply for PGCE this year, or next year. PGCE courses are really competive at the moment because of the recession however I am 28 in January and really need to sort a career out now.

Also anyone know if "2 years teaching experience" includes your first year as a NQT working in a school or is it two years working with QTS, (from what I gather you don't get QTS untill you have done a probabtion year in a school?)

 

[dolphingirl47]

I would say go for it. If you don't get in this year, you can always try again next year. Are you hoping to to primary or secondary? I did primary with modern foreign languages. Where are you intending to apply for?

My certificate says that I have QTS and I have not spent a single day in the classroom after gaining my PGCE (long story).

Corinna

 

[tennisfan]

Go for it, I think the 2 year experience includes your year as a NQT afterall you will be teaching then. I will check with my sister as she is a teacher who went about it through PGCE.

 

[wideeyes]

I want to do primary age 3- 7, though don't want to work as a teacher long term in a school, however I would like to work in education and QTS opens up more courses at Masters level.

I would have to apply to Manchester and I think both uni's in Manchester would get loads of applications.

I have looked at the training on the job (GTP,??) too however this looks as if it would harder to get on due to the positive discrimination criteria.

I am also wondering if I am not successful this year would it count against me if I apply again as I would have to apply to the same institutions.

 

[dolphingirl47]

I want to do primary age 3- 7, though don't want to work as a teacher long term in a school, however I would like to work in education and QTS opens up more courses at Masters level.

I would have to apply to Manchester and I think both uni's in Manchester would get loads of applications.

I have looked at the training on the job (GTP,??) too however this looks as if it would harder to get on due to the positive discrimination criteria.

I am also wondering if I am not successful this year would it count against me if I apply again as I would have to apply to the same institutions.

I know that we had somebody on our course who got into Hull on the third attempt so I don't think it would work against you. I you are addressing the issues raised during the feedback, this might actually work for you. It shows them that you are really committed. I had MMU as one of my back up options, but I got into my first choice Hull. Of course, in the end I ended up in Manchester anyway and sometimes I wonder if things would have worked out differently if I had gone with MMU.

Corinna

 

[wideeyes]

well I have registered with gttr and have filled in the qualification section.

I need to do a personal statement and I hate writing them. however I wrote one a few months ago so I will just build on that.

 

[Lizzybear]

I applied last year and didn't get in, still not sure whether to apply this year or not as i'm in a job I love now which i'd have to leave so I kind of feel as if I was meant to do something else at least for now They do encourage you to reapply if you're unsucessful though so it may well help rather than work against you The north west is so competitive for teaching courses and jobs unfortunately but I think it's better to apply at least once, if it's what you really want to do, than wonder what could have been.

 

[wideeyes]

It seems I haven't got anything to lose then by applying this year, I know it is competive so I want be to disapointed if I don't get it.

 

[jen_uk]

I know people who started PGCEs with zero teaching experience so I say go for it

 

[joolz1910]

Go for it. Good luck with your application.

 

[natalielongstaff]

Good luck Claire

 

[bronny]

Hi Claire

I got onto my PGCE with zero teaching experience but to be fair it was in 2000. Things are a lot more competitive now but if you don't go for it you will never know. It is not always about experience it is about what YOU have to offer! A good knowledge of schemes of work etc is good so just do the 'leg work' and check out the web. My friend has just completed her's and she is having no luck finding anywhere to do her QTS year, but we're in Cornwall, so jobs, in general, are few and far between. Good luck, Im sure you will be fine!

Bronny

 

[A Small World]

What course are you doing this year Claire? Is it something where you can build in some teaching work experience or other experience with children. If you can show you have had experience with children it can help - eg brownies /rainbows/after school club etc on a voluntary basis

I did a PGCE (secondary) but several years ago but Im sure the 2 years experience will include the NQT year.

Are you asking about the 2 years as you need that to then move onto another course/profession?

 

[wideeyes]

I am doing Post Grad in early years which covers 0-5 years. So if I apply PGCE 3-7 years I will have a bit of the age range covered.

I have also done Ed. studies units in my 1st year which covered pedagogy and theories as well as developmental psychology so even though it didn't count towards my final degree I was thinking this would be good to put on my statement.

I will also voulnteer for my DD school as they are always looking for parents to help with art and do some volunteer work through the uni in schools to cover the 5-7 age.

Yes I was asking about the 2 years as some post grad and masters course require 2 years teaching experience and then I will be able to move into other areas of education.

 

[A Small World]

Good luck then Claire - you certainly sound as though you are going to have a lot of relevant stuff to put on your application and its going to be obvious its something you've been thinking about as opposed to a sudden idea.

 

[dolphingirl47]

well I have registered with gttr and have filled in the qualification section.

I need to do a personal statement and I hate writing them. however I wrote one a few months ago so I will just build on that.

Good luck. I keep my fingers crossed for you.

Corinna

 

[luke]

Best of luck, tho I must say my PGCE course (secondary, modern languages) was the hardest year of my life. Like having a full time job and a full time university course at the same time! I'm in the first year of my first full time teaching job too, after being a supply teacher for two years and doing a maternity cover for one, as jobs were few and far between where I am, as lizzybear pointed out earlier

 

[scojos]

teacher s in some shortage areas are highly desireable, i teach food and there are massive issues as no food teachers out there.
once you have completed your viva at the end of your training you are awarded qts and your dfes no, which is your passport. yes your nqt year counts as teaching experince.
i second the gtp is hard, i did it, house, 3 kids, degree and full time job. i had a mental breakdown due to stress after my last lesson ob (long story but i was bullied by my hod...)
nqt year is alot easier if you stay in the same school, obviously i choose not too!!
due the recession they are now looking for industrila rather than class room experience, knowing your subject is becoming increasingly important...
2ndary is also easier to get into than primary due to there being so many 1ary teachers.
good luck - have a look at the those who can teach website i found loads of useful info. oh and be aware, both pcse and gtp = very poor salary for 12 months!
tracy