r/PGCE

I taught a maths lesson for the first time, quadratic equations. . Applied to a teacher training PGCE course. I'm honestly shocked as my class seemed to be learning but when I was in 2 other classes for observation they were so loud that my head started hurting. I didnt make any mistakes explaining the concepts too. I admit I could've interacted more but I tried to ask as many students as possible for answers. I did say good or well done when questions were correct. They said they were looking for potential not a perfect lesson and the best teachers in my high school were super strict and they got students the best grades.

Hi all,

I've applied for a Secondary Science PGCE (Biology). I know it's quite late in the application cycle, but I thought I'd apply and see what happens.

One thing I'm quite worried about is subject knowledge.

For context, I studied Biology, Chemistry, Physics and Psychology at A-level. I didn't do particularly well due to health issues at the time, but I went on to complete a Pharmacology degree.

Since graduating, I've spent a few years working in office-based jobs unrelated to science.

It's been quite a while since I've properly studied the sciences, and I'm finding that I've forgotten a lot of the content.

How much subject knowledge are you expected to have before starting a PGCE? I'm struggling to recall a lot and I'm worried I'll be very behind if I do go for it.

Thanks!

I'm finishing my PGCE mid july. Does anyone know roughly how long it takes to receive the actual PGCE certificate after the last date of University? I'm also querying the QTS cert while I'm at it. Any experience is welcome.

Hi everyone
I am looking for some advice. I’m due to get a new laptop (my previous is from 2015 🫩) and on its last leg. So wanted to get a lighter option.
I’m starting my chemistry PGCE from September. And thought to ask if any one had any recs? I am looking particularly at MacBook Air ..but I’ve read on here there’s issues with connecting HDMI as apple only have USB C ports.

Any tips? Or recs?
Thanks. Looking for a laptop for the next 5+ years, not just this course

Hi I'm thinking about going into teaching in Scotland and i was wondering what the PGDE course is like? I'd really like to pursue a career as a teacher however I'm more nervous about uni rather than the actual teaching itself. If anyone has any tips or advice then please share, thank you!

I’m about to start my primary PGCE in September and was wondering if anyone could give advice on things I should get before I start :)

I don't care the region as long as it's safe and I do STEM, I know it's a lot late but I was wondering if I still have a chance. Would I still have chances for the cities like York? I'm aiming to get QTS 😭

edit: I currently have problems with the edit button on my information and I'm waiting for DfE's reply, so I can't apply for anything right now nor see any button (applying button does not appear bc of the visa information stuff)
was wondering if anyone knows if salaried routes are still open and if they are still willing to hire ones.. I'm just being anxious bc I can't do anything :(

I really need help. I started a new job after being 18 months unemployed. Its a good salary 32k and its basically admin very chill. Im thinking is it worth keeping it for a year then doing pgce as my dream is to go abroad to the middle east and teaching realistically is the only way. Im 27 though turning 28 so if i delay a year id be 29. Also for the pgce i wouls get £29k for a year tax free. But again its difficult and its for science. please can someone guide me give me advixe

The calculator on .gov says I could have up to £10k and £14k in London. I don't have any benefits or special circumstances, but no savings etc. I want to know if I'll actually get that.

It's really important when chosing my location as I can't live at home (family) when I study as it's too rural. I believe you need to accept the placement on the course before you find out how much you can get on your loan too?

-btw: don't worry about giving advice on whats feasable or not, I know I have no savings and how much rent/food etc. is. I have support from my family who want me to study asap. We just want to know how much I'm likely to get from the loan. Thanks

Starting in September I’ll be a secondary school teacher with Teach First. Obviously I want to give teaching my best shot, but at some point I am interested in doing a PhD (not in education but in English Lit) with a view to potentially becoming an academic. I haven’t made my mind up about anything, just want to know what my options are, but if I left Teach First after a year to start a hypothetical PhD would I still get QTS? I know that technically you get QTS and the PGCE after the first year of Teach First, but also I’m pretty sure that it is the school you’re stationed at who apply/forward you for the QTS. Might they potentially refuse to help you get QTS if after a year you decided to leave?

I’ll probably do the two years anyway, but it would give me some peace of mind to know whether or not I could leave TF after a year with QTS. You never quite know how you’re going to take to something until you’ve actually started doing it.

I’m starting a primary PGCE through a SCITT in September, and in a couple of weeks I’ll find out what school I’m in for my first placement. We’ll be given our mentor’s email address and encouraged to make contact, and I’m wondering what are good questions to ask? What do you wish you’d known about a placement before it started?

So far I’m thinking - what time do you expect me to arrive in school and leave each day? What do I do about lunch (fridge for sandwiches? School dinner with kids?), Anything you want me to prepare / research / read beforehand?

Any other questions I can ask? Thank you

Hey all, anyone on here starting their Maths PGCE with Sussex Uni and this September?

Hi all, firstly thank you all for contributing to this subreddit, it has helped me gain a no-nonsense insight into teaching during my studies. I''m wondering if anyone in Cymru could help please?

I have secured a teaching job due to start in a few weeks time (as soon as my uni timetable finishes) that carries on into September. I am due to complete my PGCE shortly (with very good grades in assignments and met all teaching standards etc already) but I can see on the EWC website that official QTS is not awarded until August?.

My question is this: Can this new job pay me as a qualified teacher for the last few weeks of summer term and through the holidays? Or do they have to await official QTS (currently I have a provisional registration with EWC as a student teacher).

(They said in the interview and verbal offer that they will pay me through the summer break, but without QTS I technically can't be employed as a teacher, so I'm not sure how they would achieve this)

UK student here. i’m (19F) in my first year of uni doing a Bsc in sociology. humanities has unfortunately always been my greatest strength academically and i say unfortunately because it seems to be the least desirable/in demand. i know i have a whole 2 years left to go till i graduate, but i am panicking a bit because i’m concerned about the high possibility that when i do finish then eventually qualify, there won’t be much work for me to get in this field. i’m even thinking of switching my degree to history or religious studies, because that’s a bit more supply n demand there i think in London anyway. hell, even English. i know there’s a chance of doing a pgce+qts (certificates for qualifications for those in other countries) in a subject other than your degree, but why wait when i could possibly just switch my degree from now and avoid complications later. i’d like to think i’m being overly anxious, but realistically speaking, with this downward spiral in the economy, i am a bit on edge. sorry for the rant, but any advice?

Background: I have about 7 years in corporate finance in the U.S with a B.S. in Finance/Information Systems but want to transition to teaching internationally while leveraging my business background.

The PGCE + QTS in U.K. seems to be a straightforward path to teach business/econ compared to getting a U.S. license, as I can do placements in the subjects directly; in the U.S., I would first be licensed as a social studies teacher and then specialize in econ/business after a few years. Doing it in-person in the U.K. (compared to iPGCE) would also give me a more rigorous training and is more desirable to international schools.

That being said I had a few questions:

1. Is it competitive to get into a PGCE program and finish it without prior teaching experience? My only previous teaching experience is as a SAT tutor in university and training colleagues in financial reporting tools and client deliverables (so not classroom).
2. How is life during placements (stress levels, transportation and quality of mentors)?
3. After getting the PGCE, I plan on staying in the U.K. on a graduate visa to get some teaching experience without needing visa sponsorship. Is it difficult to get a job in this subject area after PGCE? I realize that skilled worker sponsorship is very difficult.

That's all I could think of for now, appreciate any feedback!

Hi there, I got admitted for pgce physics with bursary . I am confused because I stayed in the UK for last 3 years gained my first masters and then taken PSW. If i go back and complete pgce with QTS, will there be enough time for me to land in a visa sponsored job since i am not eligible to take another PSW. Please help me with your views. Thanks in advance.

Hi, I hope someone can give me a bit of advice… I applied for a secondary PGCE at the University of Bristol in November however I have recently been having some doubts about it. When I applied I was so excited to move back home and go to a really good uni, however now that I’m close to graduating in an amazing uni city I’m just not sure.
I have the option of staying in my uni city, either working full-time for a year or going to a less prestigious uni for the PGCE, but I’m not sure it will be worth it due to how intense the course is. I’ve also been seeing so much negativity surrounding the PGCE recently which is really putting me off but it’s something I was so excited for. My undergraduate degree has been far from intense with 8 hours of contact time, this is stressing me out as I know the PGCE is beyond full-time hours.
I guess I’m just wondering if anyone else is having any doubts as graduation gets closer and closer…

I've got the oppertunity to pick any provider, and really don't need to do the course as I've all ready revised all my KS3 & 4 knowladge, and am almost done with my A-level revision. Its simply a requirment by my university as I did my masters in another subject. So I want the SKE thats gonna need minimum online time or one that I can simply just complete test to show I have the knowladge