Having never taught before, I did find this course intense. All I had was three weeks of experience volunteering in schools before the start of the PGCE course. I crammed what some of my colleagues completed in three years into less than one year. Completing a Primary Postgraduate Certificate in Education (PGCE) in the British education system is a transformative experience that equips aspiring educators with the skills, knowledge, and passion needed to make a positive impact on young minds. In this blog post, I will delve into what it's like to complete a Primary PGCE in the United Kingdom, exploring the challenges and rewards.
Starting a Primary PGCE programme for me was an exciting and
nerve-wracking moment. The anticipation of
becoming a part of the education sector, inspiring young learners, and making a
difference in their lives filled me with enthusiasm. One of the key aspects of
completing a Primary PGCE is the deepening of your pedagogical knowledge. You
dive into various educational theories, teaching strategies, and classroom
management techniques. My coursework covered subjects such as child development,
curriculum design, and assessment methods. This theoretical foundation prepared me to address the diverse needs of my future students effectively.
A defining feature of a Primary PGCE is the teaching placements.
I had a placement in rural Cumberland and then I went to inner London for
two more longer placements. I was studying at St Martins College Carlisle, University of
Lancaster who also had a site in London so it worked well. These teaching placements were invaluable opportunities to put my theoretical learning into practice. During the PGCE you'll time in real classrooms, working with experienced teachers, and gradually
taking on more teaching responsibilities. These placements allow you to develop
your teaching style, gain confidence, and build strong relationships with your
students.
Completing a Primary PGCE is not without its challenges. The
workload can be demanding, with assignments, lesson planning, and classroom
observations to balance. To be honest, I still find classroom observations
challenging, but during the PGCE my feeling of nerves were much higher.
There will be moments of self-doubt and the need for resilience. I was up
working until around 10pm most nights while on school placements. However, the
support from tutors, mentors, and fellow trainee teachers helps you navigate
these challenges and grow as an educator. My placements in rural Cumberland and
London provided a diverse experience. The schools were completely different. I was lucky to have great mentors, however, on my final
placement I felt a bit like I was left a lot. I was told this was because I was
doing so well, but I did wonder if they just wanted some more cover time!
Throughout your PGCE journey, you'll learn to create engaging
lesson plans, design educational materials, and adapt your teaching methods to
suit different learning styles. The development of this teaching toolkit is an
ongoing process that will serve you well in your future career.
One of the most rewarding aspects of completing a Primary PGCE
is the relationships you form with fellow trainees and experienced mentors.
This network of support is invaluable. You can share experiences, seek advice,
and collaborate on projects. The sense of camaraderie among educators is truly
inspiring and contributes to your personal and professional growth.
As you progress through your PGCE programme, you'll start to
witness the fruits of your labour. The joy of seeing your students grasp new
concepts, overcome challenges, and develop a love for learning is immeasurable.
These moments of success reinforce your commitment to teaching and inspire you
to continue making a positive impact.
Completing a Primary PGCE in British education is a
transformative journey filled with challenges, growth, and rewarding
experiences. It equips you with the knowledge and skills needed to inspire the
next generation of learners, shaping their futures and contributing to the
betterment of society. I felt like I needed more time to study, but I learned
on the job in my first-year teaching in inner London. While the road may be long and challenging,
the sense of fulfilment and the profound impact you have on young minds make it
all worthwhile. So, if you're considering a career in primary education, know
that the journey of completing a Primary PGCE is a profoundly rewarding one. I
recommend getting some experience in schools with children and some short
courses before the PGCE.
Your PGCE can take you around the world if you wish to live overseas!
Some international schools will employ for your early career years, but most
prefer you to have a few years of experience already. In the UK there are
plenty of jobs in cities like London, but they are much harder to secure in
counties like Cumberland and Devon. In my home county primary teachers don't tend to have much movement between schools. It is a beautiful part of the world, so the demand for supply as well school contract jobs is high. If you decide to take the course look at where you want to live, and if there are not many opportunities be prepared to move to get you first teaching job.
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