Gaining in experience in a Primary School

april87

Not sure if this is the correct place, so apologies if it is not.

I am looking to apply to do a PGDE in Primary Education next year and have spent the past few months volunteering with my local Brownies Unit. I am going to see about maybe trying to get some real life class room experience in local primary schools to further enhance my application.

Has anyone done this before? Did they find it useful? Also is it better to call or write a letter to the school and asking for some experience?

Any help/suggestions would be greatly received.

Thanks

RedfordML

If its local, best option is to go into the school.


Letters can be missed, calls can be forgotten. Also enables you to give a positive first impression.


This is great idea, who knows start by volunteering and they maybe able to offer you a work placed option rather than a PGCE?

april87

Thanks for that.

True, it would just be difficult to get down in during school hours due to work. I went ahead and called my old primary school and was told to email the head teacher.

I think in Scotland, if I want to become a primary teacher I would need to do my PGDE. From all I've read /researched that is the only path.

Paully232000

I think this is a great idea, and if your local schools are anything like my childrens schools they would be glad of the help.

Our school is always asking for parents to help with reading to the class a few hours per week, or anything that parents can spare. You could start with something like that and work your way up in hours.

Mojisola

april87 wrote: »

I am going to see about maybe trying to get some real life class room experience in local primary schools to further enhance my application.

april87 wrote: »

it would just be difficult to get down in during school hours due to work.

How will you be able to spend time at the school if you are working?

Paully232000

Mojisola wrote: »

How will you be able to spend time at the school if you are working?

Sorry I have just read that bit of the OPs reply.

Maybe my advice was not so relevant if you cant do the school-based voluntary work during school hours.

april87

Mojisola wrote: »

How will you be able to spend time at the school if you are working?

I have already spoke to my boss who has agreed that I can take my holidays during the time when I will be volunteering. I just don't want to seem presumptuous in that I can take time off to drop by the school. I am hoping to get week blocks in a school, a friend of mine was able to do something similar in another city.

Mojisola

april87 wrote: »

I have already spoke to my boss who has agreed that I can take my holidays during the time when I will be volunteering. I just don't want to seem presumptuous in that I can take time off to drop by the school. I am hoping to get week blocks in a school, a friend of mine was able to do something similar in another city.

That would be very useful experience - even better than doing a couple of hours of week for a longer period.