Limbo

First, an apology. I've been having serious internet issues. As a result I've been fairly absent from this blog and Twitter and everywhere. Every time I do get to connect (usually via the phone), I realise that I'm missing so much.

Anywho, for the moment- I'm back.

These two weeks where we're not in school are weird. We still have to attend uni, but we have Friday and sometimes Thursday off. I genuinely don't know what to do with myself on these days. Sure, I know I have things to do, but having so much time is a strange concept to me now.

The days off haven't been entirely wasted- I have started writing again. Not having the time or energy to write has been frustrating me during the placement. It's a balance I need to find in my second school.

This week we went to a different school for a media conference. The school wasn't what I expected, and the staff (I think) thought we knew more about media than what we actually did. Nevertheless, I really enjoyed the three days- even if some of language went straight over my head (I genuinely thought an "ident" was typo. It's not.) I started generating ideas as to how I could incorporate some of the media methods and features into my English classroom. If that's all I take away from it, that's fine by me.

Next week we'll be developing ideas for a language conference which we're delivering. Considering we have one language expert in the group and we've had one session about English Language, this should be interesting. I like the "expanding my subject knowledge" part of this course though. It's nice to know I'm still learning and to be actively participating in my learning.

And, on Thursday, I'll visit my second school. I still haven't quite figured out how to get there. Test run tomorrow, I think.

Week 6

So, I'm cheating this week. Officially it's half term, but with uni commitments, I'm not really getting a half term. The university's dropped our seminars and tutorials, but replaced them with a 3 hour lecture on Monday (eurgh) and some project work; and the preparation for the first assignment. Due to all of this, I'm working through my Saturday and Sunday, then popping home for a few days.

So this week's been interesting. A slight schism feels as though it's developing in our group, which is a shame. I really hope that we can work through it as a group, rather than letting it become a big issue, especially as it seems to be one person isolating themselves.

We did our starters on Wednesday. The rest of the group had to pretend to be KS3 students, while we delivered starters on a given aspect of grammar. My partner and I were given 'Conjunctions'. Oh dear, oh dear. The group enjoyed our activities, but we were slightly sidetracked by a couple of people just not understanding how one word could be a subordinating, but not a co-ordinating conjunction. We did get through it, but I felt as though we'd done a really awful job. The feedback, however, was very constructive. I hope the feedback is similar when I'm observed in a real class.

School was great. A lack of sleep on Wednesday night meant that Thursday was a tough day, but I kind of had that 'running on empty' energy. The whole department was anticipating half-term though. Friday was a training day, based around safeguarding children. I'm very pleased I attended.

The rest of the group are bonding well. We're rallying together to share resources and help each other when someone's struggling with ideas. It's great to know that we're all there for each other.

So half term! Whoop! Today I'm gathering information for an assignment and tomorrow I'll be planning lessons that I'll actually get to teach in November. I'm very excited for that. Hopefully after half term I'll get to do some plenaries or starters too. I enjoy being a teaching assistant, but I think it's now time to get stuck in to the teaching. I think it'll help build my confidence and cement my role in the school, both in my own head; and in the eyes of the students.

Now to get my head around some more theory. Every conversation I've had with teachers in my school implies that, really, I only need the theory for this year- they never really use it again. I suspect that actually they are using it, but it's become embedded in their thought process that they don't realise it.

Enjoy the break!

Farewell, life as I know it.

On Friday I registered. From the letter I’d received I was expecting to register in the morning and then spend the afternoon getting an introduction to the PGCE course. Instead it was just a lot of paperwork, and all over by 12.

It wasn’t a complete let down though. I did meet some people on the PGCE course. I’ve met two other students training in PGCE English, and one in Maths. Unfortunately, the English trainees are commuting to university/placements. I do hope to find someone on the English branch of the course that lives in the city. Still it’s nice to finally meet other people on the course. I'm looking forward to getting to know them.

I’ve signed up to all three Unions (thank you responders to the last blog post. Your info put my mind at ease). I now have more free wall calendars and student planners than you can shake a stick at.

I also received a timetable for the next three weeks. In a word: busy.

We’re getting the introduction to the course on Monday morning and after that it’s Go! Go! Go! Almost every day is 9-5 and a mix of subject specific learning and general methods/teaching practice/ theory. They call it “Foundation in Professional Studies” or ‘FiPS’. That’s for the next fortnight. The third week is on placement. Just observing, I think. I cannot wait to get started. I’ve got my lunch boxes ready. I’ve sussed the bus timetables/routes. I’ve registered with Specsavers (a doctor’s surgery will be during this week), and I’m planning anything and everything for Saturdays (the non-PGCE day). I’m excited and nervous at the same time.

I’m trying not to let my experiences with the university’s administration department to date affect my attitude towards the course. I am hoping for a well-organised, highly professional course that will live up to the standards I place on myself. And by that I mean, I always ask the very best of myself – especially during this course- I’d be a fool to waste the opportunity that I’ve worked hard to gain- and I put pressure on myself to do well. I want the PGCE to have that same expectation. I am not/have no intentions of walking into a school with this attitude (although, I hope the mentor I’m assigned is thorough): I understand that I’ll be an alien to the pupils at my placements, but I do want the best from my university. I don’t think I’m asking too much really, although a part of me is preparing myself for disappointment.

Anyway, that’s thinking ahead. I guess I’ll have to review that aspect of the course when I’ve finished. Monday it all begins, and I cannot wait! I am so excited to be learning again, to be busy again, and to be able to go in to schools and observe and then teach. This year is going to be a rollercoaster. I am ready.

This blog shall also revert to its original purpose of documenting the PGCE (and beyond) process. I hope to post at least once a week, on a Saturday. Keep an eye open.

More Monsters

I said in my previous blog that I should expect more monsters (aka unpleasant surprises) to show up during the next two weeks. There was a slight lull, I almost started believing that everything would run smoothly, but then today kicked me in the balls.

This is what happened.

I’ve contacted the University a few times since being accepted on the course. Mostly it’s to verify things: the letters they send I find to be worded oddly, or just vague, and I’m scared of getting something wrong in the ID verification/pre-registration process in case it affects my admission to the course or something similar. Anyway, from my various phone calls, I had successfully mailed all my ID documents, my original exam certificates, my CRB and health check forms, cash for the CRB check; and I’d learnt that term started on 3^rd September, and that I should expect to receive a welcome pack and a book list before then. I’d managed to secure myself accommodation, with a moving-in date of 1^st September. I’ve spoken to my current employer and arranged to finish work this week.  I’ve organised and completed my placement; I’ve written and mailed the report. I’ve sorted finances. I’ve done the all the pre-course requirements and “necessaries” that I can. 

Or so I thought.

Today I got a letter. This letter says that the University hasn’t received my Degree certificate, or my CRB check, or my health check; and that a delay in receiving these documents will delay my registration. Now, I know for certain that the University has received these documents a) because they’ve sent them back to me, b) they’ve taken the cash for the CRB check and c) I’ve received my copy of the CRB check. So, once again, I called the University.

The lovely receptionist checked my file. She said that actually they do have the CRB check, and my GCSE certificates, but not the rest. Strange, given that I sent all the documents at the same time, in the same envelope. The receptionist said they’d had temps in during the summer who must have made an error when logging my details. So, I’ve sent them again. 

I decided to ask about the welcome pack and the book list. Apparently, I’m not getting them. Today’s story is that some tutors have put them together, but not for English. Lovely.

Oh, and the last surprise: term doesn’t start until 17^th September!

Now, I’ve calmed down a bit since reading the letter and re-sending my documents. I’ve realised that the later term-date isn’t such a bad thing: I’ll have two weeks to get to know my new city, and two-weeks to read whatever I want, and to generally get my brain back into education mode. Not having a book list gives me a vast amount of choice over which teaching theory/practice books to read; and no deadline of when to have them read.

However, I’m still annoyed. The University received my documents at the beginning of June, but wait until the end of August to send me a (rather accusatory) letter about not having them. I’ve had absolutely zero contact from the University since the beginning of June when they requested the documents. And, having contacted the University with questions, I learn today that I’ve been given the wrong answers…repeatedly. This is what I’m getting for a £9,000 tuition fee. It’s not just about the fee though. This is supposed to be a professional course, and now, I’ve gone from being excited about starting the course, to having my faith in the course dashed and slightly afraid that my registration process is going to have been hampered by the University’s error; and that I still have the wrong information. Everything just feels too disorganised, too unprofessional, which is worrying for someone who likes things sorted and settled in advance. I really don’t want to be starting this course feeling how I do right now.