any hints for PGCE (secondary) application?

pavlovs_dog

Gingham_Ribbon wrote: »

I got experience in several different schools as a voluntary helper, worked as a special needs assistant and took a GCSE in my chosen subject to remind myself of what it was like to study it at that level. (I was a mature student so it had been a few years.)

At group interview, they'll be looking for personable, confident people prepared to listen to others and at individual interview they will want good subject knowledge and enthusiasm for learning to impart that knowledge.

hey GR

as well as ebing a classroom assistant on the in-school community service project during my a levels, i have already completed a 2 week block of work experience in a local high school. started out observing, then moved onto one to one support for pupils with SENs, and even taught a lesson or two, prepared worksheets and marked work so hopefully that will stand me in good stead. im hoping to get another placement this summer, just so that i have that bit extra experience behind me. every little helps

group interviews im fine with, as i have plenty of experience of that through argos. thats how i was recruited, and im now partly responsible for recruitment, so i know first hand what ticks the boxes lol.

subject knowledge. a good pointer there, i know that the syllabus has changed since i sat the exam, will have to make a point of doing further research into how :beer:

pavlovs_dog

Oldernotwiser wrote: »

If Welsh is a shortage subject and your degree is in Welsh will you need to stand out from the crowd? Surely the thing about shortage subjects is that there isn't a crowd!

there's still only a certain amount of funding, which can only fund a certain number of places. because of the fairly generous financial incentives being offered at the moment to attract people into teaching (especially in wales offered to those considering taking up a placement, be it first or second language welsh), there are a lot of people jumping on the band wagon so to speak.

whilst it's not a huge crowd, there is still some degree of competition.

pavlovs_dog

Perversia - just wanted to say a special thanks for all the advice and help :beer:

once i've got my final piece of coursework in next week, i can sit down and really sink my teeth into the research

summerday

The TES magazine is a good place to get clued up on current educational issues that you may get asked about at interview.

Also the TES website https://www.tes.co.uk has useful message forums where you can ask questions, you could even try posting on the student teachers board to see if anyone studying at your chosen institution has got any application tips.

Good luck, Sarah

Oldernotwiser

Also Tuesday's Guardian.

pavlovs_dog

yep, ive been reading that, we can buy them quite cheaply on campus :j

Oldernotwiser

pavlovs_dog wrote: »

yep, ive been reading that, we can buy them quite cheaply on campus :j

And they'll have them in the library.