Anybody out there doing a PGCE this september? If so in what subject?
Re: PGCE - Post Graduation Cert in Secondry Education
Im doing one in primary education :)
not to freak u out or anything but its soooooooooo bloody hard!!!!
secondary is probably different as you specialise in one subject, but the primary one is awfully difficult, after 2-3 lectures in History, im qualified to teach the subject! although, my subject knowledge doesnt really have to be that great.
If you like children/teenagers and are actaully commited to the profession, then definately do it...there are so many opportunities in teaching.
i did a one day stint in a secondary school and the communcation you have with teenager is so different to a 5 year old, they understand sarcasm!!!
Good Luck love, you'l need it.
Re: PGCE - Post Graduation Cert in Secondry Education
best job in the world
..but it can also b the worst job if u r not cut out for it
...but def the best job in the world
what u doing it in?
Re: PGCE - Post Graduation Cert in Secondry Education
I'm starting in September and doing it in ICT. I'm currently working in a school and did my placement in a school aswell, so i think this 2 years experience will definatley help with the PGCE.
Re: PGCE - Post Graduation Cert in Secondry Education
Thanks but I dont think i’ll need it love. Like i said before, i’m working in a school at the moment so this has prepared me in advance.
Re: PGCE - Post Graduation Cert in Secondry Education
I think it is the easiest in terms of working with non-teengers - less hassle.
Re: PGCE - Post Graduation Cert in Secondry Education
ICT, are you doing it aswell?
Re: PGCE - Post Graduation Cert in Secondry Education
Iv been working in primary schools since i was 15, nothing can prepare you for a PGCE, it is excruciatingly difficult at times.
non- teenagers are not less-hassle, you dont have to make sure they can pull their pants down quick enough to pee. and you probably dont have to to wipe their sick either:p
Re: PGCE - Post Graduation Cert in Secondry Education
Isn’t that more of a nursery nurse’s role? Yeah ur probably right, Working as a teacher u have to face different kinds of situations every day, which may not be covered by our previous experiences of working in schools.
Although, I think we are advantaged in a way as we have experience of working in school’s which kinda helps us realise what we may face, where as people who do not have this type of experience may just get freaked out on the first day and might not know what they have got themselves into, thats why most uni’s want u spend as much time as possible observing teachers/classes prior to applying.
keep in touch and let me know how u get on, 
Re: PGCE - Post Graduation Cert in Secondry Education
BTW, I hope my first placement is in a challenging school. Where are u located Miss_Mohabbat?
Re: PGCE - Post Graduation Cert in Secondry Education
It's not so much the being in school as it is the planning and assessing and learning how to control behaviour, it's very different to being a teaching assisstant. All i ever got asked to do was photocopy and stick in the homework sheets in the book...not ot mention the classroom displays. Plannning and Assessment are a killer!!!
Im in the north, where are you?
Re: PGCE - Post Graduation Cert in Secondry Education
I have nothing but the utmost respect for primary teachers, their work is a killer and they have the SAME class the whole whole day, they work bloody hard.
I am in secondary and i can barely stand year 7. Coolmunda if u do not think PGCE is gonna be the hardest thing u have done in your career u are in for a big shock!
I am making assumptions here but if u r working in a school then it can't be as a teacher taking a full class or u r in private. Huge Huge difference to taking a full class or being in state sector.
Best of luck and let us know how u get on.
Missy - planning is the easy bit! get ur priorities right :P
Re: PGCE - Post Graduation Cert in Secondry Education
Coolmunda-secondary school kids can make grown men cry-i have seen it with my own eyes. dont b over confident!
challenging school indeed!
Re: PGCE - Post Graduation Cert in Secondry Education
God you Brits have it easy!
Re: PGCE - Post Graduation Cert in Secondry Education
I’m not over-confident, just mentally being prepared for it.
I’ll keep u informed when i start in sept insha allah. thanks for the advise!
BTW when did u do ur PGCE?
Re: PGCE - Post Graduation Cert in Secondry Education
come on now, we all know teaching is a cinch :p
Re: PGCE - Post Graduation Cert in Secondry Education
^^ haha you wish... ever tried it yourself?
Re: PGCE - Post Graduation Cert in Secondry Education
Somebody get skhan a doctor. Teaching in higher ed is cinch in school its a highly skilled craft.
coolmunda, i did it enough years ago to see grown men cry, hand in their heads,saying 'help me, help me'
Confidence is good, u defintely need it but if you haven't tempered it with a real understanding of how hard it will be u may get a huge huge confidence knock. Know it will be hard work and when you find it is you can then use your confidence to get over it. IT is a really good field to go into at the moment.
Re: PGCE - Post Graduation Cert in Secondry Education
coolmunda--- I dont think you should worry too much. Study hard and try your best. Children or teens are not easy to teach. Sometimes it can be very frustrating, but dont let it get to you. Make sure your students know you are dedicated to your job, students hate nothing more than a teacher who teaches as if its a chore. So put some effort and heart to it, and I know you will be fine!
oh yeah and teaching degree seem to differ a lot from the UK ones to ours.