PGCE Primary - How much experience?

Kate · Joined: 05 Aug 2007 Posts: 2

I am planning to apply to do a PGCE in Primary Education in September.
I am hoping to apply to Southampton University as it is my nearest
provider.

What I would like to know is how much classroom experience do I need to
accrue before I apply? Would a week be enough?

I am an assistant Brownie Guider, and also run a Rainbow Guide unit, so
I do have several years worth of experience of the 5-10 year old age
range already. Also, as I run the Rainbow unit, I am used to planning
the meetings and activities, and all the admin behind the scenes -
accounts, letters, attendance records etc.

Will the guiding experience count in my favour? Does it work in lieu
of some time in a classroom, or do I still need plenty of classroom
time as well.

With regards to classroom experience, is it better to spend all the
time at one school with one age group, or would it be preferable to
spend a few days at several different schools, getting a flavour of a
range of ages?

Thanks in advance,

Kate.

Archived from group: uk>education>teachers>trainee

R2G2 · Joined: 05 Aug 2007 Posts: 197

On 6 May 2005 03:01:10 -0700, "Kate" wrote:

>I am planning to apply to do a PGCE in Primary Education in September.
>I am hoping to apply to Southampton University as it is my nearest
>provider.
>
>What I would like to know is how much classroom experience do I need to
>accrue before I apply? Would a week be enough?
Probably, but the more the better.
>
>I am an assistant Brownie Guider, and also run a Rainbow Guide unit, so
>I do have several years worth of experience of the 5-10 year old age
>range already. Also, as I run the Rainbow unit, I am used to planning
>the meetings and activities, and all the admin behind the scenes -
>accounts, letters, attendance records etc.
Planning the meetings and activities will definately be in your
favour, on top of the experience.

If you can get hold of the National Curriculum, see if you can match
any of your activities to the objectives - then you'll be able to talk
about it, and sound very knowledgeable.
>
>Will the guiding experience count in my favour? Does it work in lieu
>of some time in a classroom, or do I still need plenty of classroom
>time as well.
I don't know that there's a set ammount of time you have to spend in
the classroom, but any experience is a bonus, I would have thought.
>
>With regards to classroom experience, is it better to spend all the
>time at one school with one age group, or would it be preferable to
>spend a few days at several different schools, getting a flavour of a
>range of ages?
Preferable to them, I don't know. It would probably be good from your
point of view to spend time in different schools, as no two schools
are the same. Also get a flavour of different ages if you can - if
their courses are anything like ours, you'll have to spend time in
both Key Stages anyway. All ages are quite different. While you're
there, get a copy of your teacher's plannig too if you can - it all
helps later on.
>
>Thanks in advance,
You're welcome.
>
>Kate.

Good luck.

--
Beccy

Bec but...

Toby · Joined: 05 Aug 2007 Posts: 3

Kate wrote:
> I am planning to apply to do a PGCE in Primary Education in
September.
> I am hoping to apply to Southampton University as it is my nearest
> provider.
>
> What I would like to know is how much classroom experience do I need
to
> accrue before I apply? Would a week be enough?

I'm starting a Primary PGCE at Worcester in September. Before applying
I spent maybe a week in schools. (Split over days and half days.) As
part of this I did some curriculum activities with groups of 5 or 6
children.

I talked about this at my interview and it seemed to be enough. More
would probably help.

After being accepted and before starting, they stipulate that two weeks
minimum is spent in schools (observing and with small groups). There's
a form to be completed by the schools involved to show this has been
done.

Toby

Steve · Joined: 05 Aug 2007 Posts: 1

I would not be surprised if you are already too late to apply for the
course starting in Spetember 2005. The closing date for applications
for many courses is before Christmas. You should ring the University
straight away to see if there are any places available before you start
making any plans. In addition, primary jobs are in very short supply
although there are large regional variations - you need to try and
assess what the job market is like in your area before considering this
seriously, most jobs in the Cheshire/ Staffordshire/ Stoke-on-Trent
area get anything between 60 and 120 applicants. Contact a few local
schools (not just 1 or 2) and ask them.

FYI I gained over 60 days experience working in 6 different primary
schools prior to starting my course. There were 2500 applications for
about 100 places, 250 were interviewed and I fully expect to be
unemployed when I finish.

Steve

Toby · Joined: 05 Aug 2007 Posts: 3

Steve wrote:
> I would not be surprised if you are already too late to apply for the
> course starting in Spetember 2005. The closing date for applications
> for many courses is before Christmas.

That's probably true. I had to get my application in by late December.
I think you can apply later, but it depends on there being unfilled
spaces, dropp-outs, etc.

> In addition, primary jobs are in very short supply
> although there are large regional variations - you need to try and
> assess what the job market is like in your area before considering
this
> seriously, most jobs in the Cheshire/ Staffordshire/ Stoke-on-Trent
> area get anything between 60 and 120 applicants. Contact a few local
> schools (not just 1 or 2) and ask them.
>
> FYI I gained over 60 days experience working in 6 different primary
> schools prior to starting my course. There were 2500 applications for
> about 100 places, 250 were interviewed and I fully expect to be
> unemployed when I finish.

Is it really that bad where you are? I asked at my interview about job
prospects. The Tutor said that whilst there will be many applicants per
post, virtually all the previous years graduates found places.

Toby (in Worcester)

Kate · Joined: 05 Aug 2007 Posts: 2

I'm applying this September to start September 2006.

The job market seems pretty good in Hampshire at the moment, especially
as I know of 2 new Primary schools due to be built which should
complete around the time I graduate.

Thanks for all the advice (from everyone) about how much experience I
will need to get prior to applying.

Kate.

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