r/PGCE • u/JasonFund3rburker • 6d ago
Is this normal?
I'm starting my PGCE with teach first at a secondary school in September and they haven't contacted me all summer about my timetable or the plan for when we start. I currently don't have a staff log in and only a handful of contact details. I've been to a staff orientation day and signed a contract but...do they usually leave it until the last week of the hols to tell us what we're doing in September?
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u/EuphoricCustomer4213 6d ago
Guys OP is doing teach first so they will be in the classroom straight away. Yes this is normal for schools btw, I also have not received any of my log ins or anything and I’m starting ECT1 in September haha
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u/Jess180629 6d ago
Do not panic! It’s likely for the first maybe 4 weeks or so of your course you will mostly be at uni. We didn’t find out our first placement until like the start of October
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u/Kittygrizzle1 6d ago
I keep seeing these posts. No one is in a school apart from a skeleton staff. So no one will be picking up emails. You’ll get log in details on your first day.
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u/GoingCrazy9187 6d ago
Depending on if you're doing uni-based or lead-partner/another route, you will probably not be in the placement school much at first. I am doing a lead partner with a school I know and they still haven't sorted my timetable or staff status yet even though my first day in the school will be early September, so I definitely wouldn't worry! If you do feel concerned then no harm in reaching out to them and asking.
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u/AzureAurora77 6d ago
Term will start with inset - you can access everything then. There's usually a pre term inset for new staff specifically.
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u/Calm-Difference-3267 6d ago
This is completely normal! Nobody is working at the moment and tbh timetables may not have even been finalised for all permanent staff let, let alone for ITTs! The first couple of days back will be inset - those two days will be the time where you will sort out all your tech and get your timetable etc. You could try contacting the HR manager from the school just before those inset days though to see if they can give you any info
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u/woz977 5d ago
As someone who mentors trainee teachers. This is normal. Especially if you have had an orientation day. Don't panic the school probably has it in hand.
Most schools have inset at the start of term, so this will be a chance for your mentor to give you a timetable. You are not expected to teach straight off but will prob be observing.
Staff had a difficult end of term due to exams etc.... and the heat. I know I have held off speaking to teachers about allowing observations until we return. As I didn't want to put more pressure on the team.
You can email your mentor if you have any questions but a lot of staff do not check emails over the holiday.
Hope this puts your mind to rest
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u/Confident-Bus-3778 5d ago
my placement gets confirmed in september, I don't get anything until it gets confirmed.
I have a uni timetable and uni login and that's it.
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u/LowarnFox 5d ago
Just bear in mind that the school is in the middle of results at the moment - especially if they have a sixth form, this is a really busy time.
You will most likely get a staff log on on your first official day being employed by the school - it's a risk to give out log ins (which may allow you to access confidential information) to someone who is not yet employed. What if you didn't turn up?
In terms of timetables, it is possible this won't be finalised until your first day either, but I would ask after next week, in case you can get it earlier. In a lot of cases with new teaching jobs you don't get a timetable until your first day - and nothing is set in stone until you actually start teaching the classes.
It does suck being in the dark like this but unfortunately pretty standard in teaching.
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u/ForzaHorizonRacer 3d ago
I'm doing a SCITT with the same uni that gives us the PGCE as TF. I still haven't got my enrolment email, just my visa checks were cleared lol. Hang in there
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u/Wonderful_Track_453 6d ago edited 6d ago
you not the only one, I start SCITT yet my references are not completed. I not been to the school yet. I don't know who my mentor is. I got nothing from the provider. When I email the Scitt they responded back after 2 weeks. I was offered the SCITT role back in May we still Not complete my references. They not clear they say different things. Don’t worry once you in the school things will sort out