Pgce - Anyone Studying Now Or About To Embark On A Course?

[Longbow212]

Hi,

I have been teaching almost a year with no qualifications in teaching. I have now decided on teaching as a career and to do that will require me returning to the UK and studying for a PGCE.

Now, because I have been out of the UK for almost 2 years I am wondering if this will effect my application for funding from Student Finance England. I am a UK citizen and have already completed a degree (student loan) and master degree (privately funded). After previewing the website it appears they want to know all about where you have been living etc - i guess this is to ensure you dont just run off to another country with no intention of paying back your fees.

I would really like to hear about experiences from people who are about to or have studied for a PGCE. How did you go about getting funding and did you have any difficulties in your application? what documents did they ask for??

Thanks in advance

[markg]

It may do.

Whatever you do though, don't tell them you've been out of the country for 2 years.

Things you can say are;

(a) i've been living with my mum working on some 'research' and she looks after me so i dont claim dole or anything.

( My personal favourite. I'm a professional gambler. I pay tax on my stake and make just about enough to get by.

© I've had a rich girlfriend for the last 2 years who has paid for everything for me. Unfortunately we've just split up.

Now..........let them prove that any of the above are not true.

[aussiebebe]

You've got your work cut out if you're going to do this; wherever you stay when you return to the UK, that will be the address you use when you apply. Most PGCE course have started now for the 2009/10 year, my step-brother is currently training in Durham, Secondary Mathematics, brave soul.

If you know your address in advance, that will help to apply before you return. Most courses will interview for the 2010/11 course in or soon after January 2010. I don't think that your absence will affect your application, you'll still be on the electoral roles.

The won't worry about you not repaying the fees because there aren't any; the PGCE is free, which is great, and you get a training bursary of 6,000pounds I believe, I think my brother gets a little extra because of his choice to teach Math. You should be entitled to a student loan, uncomplicated because you're British.

You're biggest problem will be where you work, after your interview, and how you move to be near where you are staying, before starting the course. Travel to and from your teaching placements will be another great expense, depending on where your course provider puts you.

If you are thinking of leaving after your PGCE for warmer climes, you should realise that you need to work for a probationary year to become a fully qualified teacher and, should you fail to complete this within 5 years (ie you go work in Thailand) you'll have to repeat the PGCE if and when you return to work as a teacher in the UK. best of luck and I hope it goes well for you!

[paully]

because I have been out of the UK for almost 2 years I am wondering if this will effect my application for funding from Student Finance England.

As I believe I already told you on another forum, the line to take is that you wish to be treated as if you had been ordinarily resident in the UK for the 3 years prior to the start of the course on the basis that you had been temporarily employed abroad.

It's a line which has worked fine for me and many others - perfectly legitimately.

Edited October 16, 2009 by paully

[guru]

If you are thinking of leaving after your PGCE for warmer climes, you should realise that you need to work for a probationary year to become a fully qualified teacher and, should you fail to complete this within 5 years (ie you go work in Thailand) you'll have to repeat the PGCE if and when you return to work as a teacher in the UK. best of luck and I hope it goes well for you!

No.No.No. Completely wrong information.

Once you complete your PGCE with all the standards met for Qualified Teacher Status you are a fully qualified teacher for life. Full stop.

You only need to do the induction year if you wish to work in British state schools. If you were to fail the induction year, (can't be repeated) then you would still be a fully qualified teacher but couldn't work in a British state school.

There is no 5 year limit on completing induction. In fact there is no time limit whatsoever and there is no requirement to repeat the PGCE.

To the OP, I taught in Thailand for years before going back to do a PGCE in 2006. I was completely open with the university and there were no problems whatsoever with regards to funding or anything else.

Edited October 17, 2009 by guru

[aussiebebe]

I don't see how me writing 'best of luck and hope it goes well for you!' should be 'Completely wrong information', guru, but at least we agree that one needs to complete an induction/probationary perior to be qualified to teach in the UK.

I asked my step-brother about his course and I got a few other things wrong; he recieves 9k bursary, but bursaries go as low as 4k for some other subjects and Primary; also there is a course fee for 2010 - it is 3290pounds. He recommended going to www.tda.gov.uk

To be eligible for a training bursary, you must be a home or EU trainee on a TDA funded course and be eligible for student support. More information on the eligibility for student support can be found on Directgov.

[Phatcharanan]

I don't see how me writing 'best of luck and hope it goes well for you!' should be 'Completely wrong information', guru, but at least we agree that one needs to complete an induction/probationary perior to be qualified to teach in the UK.

The lack of NQT does not disqualify you from teaching in the UK. The newbie QTS can still teach in the public schools. Just not the State ones.

I am also pretty certain that there is a 5 year limit on doing the 3 term NQT induction although that time limit does not apply to Wales.

[guru]

Nope. Definitely no 5 year time limit or any time limit whatsoever. Browse tda.gov.uk.

[guru]

I don't see how me writing 'best of luck and hope it goes well for you!' should be 'Completely wrong information', guru, but at least we agree that one needs to complete an induction/probationary perior to be qualified to teach in the UK.

On the contrary, I disagree with you that one needs to complete an induction period to be qualified to teach in the UK. You could teach in independent schools and further education colleges but not state schools.

[Phatcharanan]

Nope. Definitely no 5 year time limit or any time limit whatsoever. Browse tda.gov.uk.

I stand corrected Guru.

I never did get to do my NQT as I went straight from QTS to an overseas school and have been International ever since.

Edited October 18, 2009 by Phatcharanan

[Longbow212]

Nope. Definitely no 5 year time limit or any time limit whatsoever. Browse tda.gov.uk.

I stand corrected Guru.

I never did get to do my NQT as I went straight from QTS to an overseas school and have been International ever since.

Thanks for taking the time to post some advice about studying for a PCGE back home.

I am also thinking of getting the PGCE then getting the hel_l out of the UK, I simply dont want to be a teacher there nor live their out of choice but may just bite the bullet and get on with it if it allows me to move on to the super schools on the international circuit.

How have you found not having the UK QTS status and getting jobs in international schools? do the better and especially British schools inisist on you having it? I will be training to be a science teacher and ideally hope to get a job in one of the best international schools.

Thanks

[Phatcharanan]

Nope. Definitely no 5 year time limit or any time limit whatsoever. Browse tda.gov.uk.

I stand corrected Guru.

I never did get to do my NQT as I went straight from QTS to an overseas school and have been International ever since.

How have you found not having the UK QTS status and getting jobs in international schools? do the better and especially British schools inisist on you having it? I will be training to be a science teacher and ideally hope to get a job in one of the best international schools.

Thanks

You misunderstand. QTS is granted after completion of your PGCE or via the degree route that has QTS as part of the program. QTS is yours for life.

NQT FOLLOWS on from QTS. It is generally a 3 term induction year after you have obtained QTS. On completeion of the NQT you are now able to teach in maintained (State) schools.

Do your PGCE, get your QTS purple paper and then start looking for work overseas.

I have worked at 5 'real' International UK curriculum schools and have never yet been asked about NQT. QTS...sure, they will check your number. NQT.........never.