PGCE Interview

Soldato
Joined
21 Apr 2003
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4,328
Slowly getting more nervous, it's in a month today...

Have a 3min presentation to plan on how I'd introduce a new KS3 topic to a bunch of mixed ability 13-year-olds, but I think I'm OK with that.

Anyone got any tips, stories or warnings for me?

(going for PGCE in Secondary Physics btw - which will be mostly mixed science but specialising in teaching Physics - coming from an electronic engineering background)
 
You'll be fine, this is the easy bit. :D
After the PGCE is done it's all down hill.
Only joking, my wife is a AST in English. She loves it and i'm sure you will too.
 
As with all presentations, make sure you run through it with unbias people a good few times before the actual day so you can iron out potential problems with it and not look like a plank on the day!
 
Good luck. Just an idea but maybe the presentation isn't all that different to how you'd introduce the KS3 topic to a new class - you've got to gain their interest, show them a bit about the subject, explain (some of) the usefulness of what you are doing, come to a conclusion that highlights the main points etc etc.
 
Have some visual aids for your presentation and a handout to give to the interviewer(s). Give them this towards the end though (I know its only 3 minutes long) or they'll be reading it while your talking to them.

This may seem obvious but in your interview, when discussing your skills and abilities (from study and your workplace experience) you really need to get across how this relates to teaching, how your skills are transferable etc.
 
Ive got an interview for a PGCE at Manchester Met on 9th December. Really nervous, they haven't sent anything through the post to me yet though with things I need to prepare etc. I've just got the interview date from the GTTR website.

Really nervous though as I really want to get on the course!
 
Good luck CDj-Rossi, we'll have to compare notes after... Or commiserate a messy interview :P

Nitefly - yes hopefully at the UoB assuming they take me on!

I'm thinking for the presentation I base it around the 4 main points of I would do with my class... i.e:
1) Introduce the new topic verbally, maybe with a picture
2) Connect it somehow to the real world/daily life
3) Demonstrate from the front or lead a practical experiment
4) Give an exercise to do in connection with the topic

Obviously the above would vary depending on the topic itself and how easy a practical demonstration would be (i.e. astrophysics might be tricky!) - and depending on the complexity of the topic we may find the exercise becomes homework rather than a class exercise... but meh! Just need to decide which topic to use as an example. Considering conservation of energy...
 
Crap. Need to get my application in if people are getting interviews already!

Wish I was still a student so I had time to do it.
 
Good luck CDj-Rossi, we'll have to compare notes after... Or commiserate a messy interview :P

Nitefly - yes hopefully at the UoB assuming they take me on!

I'm thinking for the presentation I base it around the 4 main points of I would do with my class... i.e:
1) Introduce the new topic verbally, maybe with a picture
2) Connect it somehow to the real world/daily life
3) Demonstrate from the front or lead a practical experiment
4) Give an exercise to do in connection with the topic

Obviously the above would vary depending on the topic itself and how easy a practical demonstration would be (i.e. astrophysics might be tricky!) - and depending on the complexity of the topic we may find the exercise becomes homework rather than a class exercise... but meh! Just need to decide which topic to use as an example. Considering conservation of energy...

Cheers Sara! Good luck to you too, lets hope we dont have to commiserate anything :D

I've not found out what I'm going to have to do for it yet though.
My friend who has just qualified this year had an interview for Man Met last year is going to help me get sorted and prepare. She didnt get in at Man Met but she got on at Edge Hill and she's newly qualified this year teaching at college :) Bonus is that the school she has just started working at has someone from Man Met on placement doing PGCE so she is going to try and weasel some info out of her!

Really apprehensive though, I really want to do this, and just hope I don't fluff it!
 
If it helps, I know someone who fluffed their interview but got in anyway - if you're going for one of the understaffed subjects, I think they bite your hand off...
 
Im applying to Cambridge for History- most difficult uni to get into and most popular course. I have no chance.
 
Highlight any prior knowledge they already may have itll show you have a good knowledge of the curriculum which will obviously impress. Also be sure to highlight the differentiation you would include - as it's stated mixed ability and also to ensure they know you can cater for everyone. Good Luck!! :)
 
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