Whether you’re a career changer, thinking about starting a BEd or you’re planning on taking the PGCE route you’ll find lots of advice here. Charlie Taylor will answer new topics containing "Dear Charlie" in the subject.
I have a dilemma and was hoping someone could provde me with some sound advice.
I have been thinking of applying for a PGCE for quite some time now and have finally managed to secure a work placement in a primary shcool which is due to commence in the final l term (mid june).
I would like to commence a primary PGCE this september, i am aware that i have missed the deadline which was 1st December 2011. However I have had a look on the GTTR website for any possibel vacancies and found a couple of universities that still have places available. I contacted one of the providers asking whether i should wait till i have completed my work experience and they advised me saying that i should submit my application and on it say that i am due to undertake a placement in june.
The problem i have with this is that i dont really have much to show for in terms of my passion for teaching since i have no classroom experience or any other experience working with children for that matter.
i have two options:
should i start the application and get my refrences sorted, then when i have commenced my work placement submit the application, by then i will have completed the required 10 days and will have something to talk about in the interview? i guess i have nothing to loose in applying this year apart from £19
OR
should i wait till applicaitons re-open later in the year?
I suppose the answer to your quandry can be found by asking yourself another question - am I prepared to wait another year before starting my PGCE or would I rather start in September this year if possible?
If you are prepared to wait, then fine - submit your application once the applications are open for the 2013 cycle. By then of course you will have oodles of experience to draw from in your interview.
On the other hand, if you would prefer to start this year if possible, why not see if you can spend a day or two in school (not necessarily the one you have your placement in), so that you have something to talk about in interview, and back it up with details of your forthcoming placement.
Its also worth speaking to the providers concerned, and see if this would be acceptable to them before you submit your application - thats what I did, as I also had been unable to get any classroom time due to working full time. I did manage to get a couple of days in school before my interview, and now Im about to start helping out in school for the remainder of the summer term, so that I have more hands on experience before I start the course. My first choice provider was very understanding and helpful about what they needed.
From your post I assume that you plan to teach primary. One thing I would say is that because primary places are much more competitive (mine is secondary maths, so theres not so much competition), the training providers may insist in more experience up front. You wont know until you ask.
As you say, you have nothing to loose but the application fee, and everything to gain.
As they say in my part of the world "shy bairns get nowt!". (Translation - if you dont ask, you wont know).
Good luck
Hi
First of all may I offer my congratulations on securing a work placement in a primary school.
I would recommend submitting your application as soon as possible whilst including a notification that you will have completed your 10 day placement by a certain date. This will show training providers that you are willing to gain the required experience.
There are other ways for you to indicate your enthusiasm for teaching. A good place to start is by familiarising yourself with the current primary curriculum and seeing how your knowledge, experience and interests relate to it. You can find further information on the curriculum on the following page of the Department for Education website:
www.education.gov.uk/schools/teachingandlearning/curriculum/primary
I can appreciate that submitting your application now would mean that it won't be as strong as it would were you to wait until later in the year, however there is still every possibility that you may be offered a place on a course starting this September. If your application is unsuccessful at the first attempt it will still be of benefit to you by ensuring that you have familiarised yourself with the application process, including the arrangement of suitable referees.
I hope you enjoy your school placement and I wish you the very best in your teaching career.
Lin Hinnigan, Teaching Agency
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