[Ryan C]

Hi,

I'm new to this Forum and would just like to ask a quick question. I am applying for a PGCE to teach History at Secondary Level this year(starting Sept 2010) and am organising some lesson observation in local school/s over the next couple of weeks (I already do Youth Work in local Youth clubs for ages 11-18). I am waiting till after my observation to send off the application(haven't done any observation yet) so I can include some details and information in my Personal Statement. Also so that I won't be told that my application won't be assessed, or worse will be rejected, until I have done some observation. Hope that makes sense.

My question is, will around the end of October(possibly even early November) be too late for a PGCE application for Secondary History, as I understand it is a tough course to get onto?

I will be applying mainly for UEA and also for Anglia Ruskin and a SCITT course as I want to be able to live at home and cut costs.

Many Thanks,
Ryan

[Lesley Ann]

Welcome to the forum Ryan


I think the earlier you apply the better. There are a limited number of training places on courses, so it would be wise to apply as early as possible. Good luck!

[Ryan C]

Thankyou. Perhaps I should write in my personal statement that I am currently organising lesson observation for the next few weeks in local secondary schools and send it asap, and say that I hope to learn about certain aspects in more detail (will include them in p.statement). I know my primary referee is ready and willing.

Ryan.

[Lesley Ann]

That sounds like a good plan.

Perhaps a member of the forum who is or has recently completed PGCE might comment on when they applied for the course.

[jennyg]

I have just started my PGCE with the Institute of Education (University of London). I applied as soon as applications opened (September) and had my interview early October. They took more applicants than originally planned, but I know they closed applications in February. Basically, the earlier the better. If you already do some youth work then that's a good base and just say in your application that you're arranging more observation.

[trina]

Ryan C, on 09 October 2009 - 10:47 AM, said:

Hi,

I'm new to this Forum and would just like to ask a quick question. I am applying for a PGCE to teach History at Secondary Level this year(starting Sept 2010) and am organising some lesson observation in local school/s over the next couple of weeks (I already do Youth Work in local Youth clubs for ages 11-18). I am waiting till after my observation to send off the application(haven't done any observation yet) so I can include some details and information in my Personal Statement. Also so that I won't be told that my application won't be assessed, or worse will be rejected, until I have done some observation. Hope that makes sense.

My question is, will around the end of October(possibly even early November) be too late for a PGCE application for Secondary History, as I understand it is a tough course to get onto?

I will be applying mainly for UEA and also for Anglia Ruskin and a SCITT course as I want to be able to live at home and cut costs.

Many Thanks,
Ryan

Hi Ryan,
I'm not sure about the Uni's you've applied to but i'm at Edge hill and I hadn't done any Obs before I applied. However, I did get a letter from my local high school saying they would be pleased to have me in their school. I got a place! Hope this helps.
Trina x

[Hannah W.]

I agree with what's already been said - apply now and mention that you have arranged observations. When I applied, I had not been into any schools and actually did my visit after I had been accepted onto the course. I applied very late in the year (May), and was lucky to get in. This was a few years ago, I imagine it has got much more competitive now with the number of places being cut.

[Ryan C]

Ok thanks alot for your advice. I applied on monday, and am now waiting for my primary referee to fill in her statement and then it will be sent off. I went to a local jobs fair the other day and a representative from the UEA education department was there and said I would have been better to wait until I had completed some observation. However, I'm not too picky over where i do my teacher training I would just like the opportunity to prove myself as a History Teacher.

I have also just organised a two day experience in a local High school for the start of November. One day within the History department and the second following a student/class around for the whole day and gaining an idea about the whole school experience. The Head of History had said he'd had nine people doing lesson observation in preparation for History teacher training since last January so clearly it is a very competitive subject at the moment! Thanks again for your advice.

Ryan.

[Doreen M]

Hi Ryan! If it helps, I only sent off my application in late October/early November. My first choice (which was Manchester Metropolitan) was already full up by Christmas. My second choice university gave me an interview during late February but this was considered quite late. It's good that you have sent off your application now though.

Don't be too worried because I literally didn't really go into any schools (went back into my old school for only one day!) but I assured my interviewer (now my tutor) that I had already got a placement in a school later on in the year (I was on the Student Associates Scheme). Considering that you already do youth work it should be ok (I hadn't done anything even youth related as I was still in my undergraduate 3rd year at that time).

Hope this reassures you a bit more.