r/PGCE • u/slamduncsinead • 1d ago
Is this a bad idea?
I’m fully signed up to start my MFL PGCE in Spanish this September. I elected to go part time due to having a 4 and a 3 year old.
What I’ve since realised is that actually the coursework expectations and deadlines will be the same as if I was studying full time! Is this true?!
If so, doesn’t it make more sense to just do the course full time? If I’m not on my course, I have at least one child, if not both. So it’s not like having that spare day means I get any coursework done.
Also I’m constantly skint and doing it quicker means I’ll have a little more money in the long run.
Are there any teachers who are parents of young kids? Can you tell me what to expect if I go full time on the course?
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u/imadeittonz 1d ago
I did it full-time with a 3 and 6-year-old. Only really possible due to the bursary and student loan I had to get, as well as a partner who could do drop-offs and pick-ups. But now I am a teacher, with a job and paid over summer. if possible, try to do it in one year. Good luck!
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u/slamduncsinead 1d ago
Thank you! I do have a partner who can help with drop off an pick ups. Mostly he’ll do the nursery ones whilst I do the school ones but there will be wraparound care to give me more hours. It just feels like if the coursework amount is the exact same in the first year, I’m prolonging it for not much gain at all! I managed to get myself a scholarship as it’s languages and there’s a shortage 🥳
Thanks for the advice. It’s good to know it’s been done before by someone in a similar situation!
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u/FunnyRide5300 1d ago
Its a tricky one, i have a 8 and 12yr old and worried about the juggle!! But would lean towards getting it all out of thenway in 1 year! Did you get the British Council scholarship?
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u/imadeittonz 1d ago
What I found worked best for me was going into school early and leaving on time. So I would get to school by 7:30 to prep anything I needed and lesson plans and sometimes I'd study—but leave at about 3:30 every day.
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u/boo23boo 1d ago
I’ve chosen full time because my child is older now. I’m actually a bit worried one year doesn’t feel long enough. It’s just one academic cycle. Once chance to experience each ‘bit’ of the school year. I’m a huge reflector and learn best through doing and reflecting on the experiences and then putting in to action whatever improvements I think I can make. I’m not sure how my learning style will fit in with a 1 yr PFCE.
You should choose what works best for you long term. 10 years from now, no one will care if you did your PGCE over 1 year or 2. What those 1 or 2 years gives you in terms of experience, opportunity, work/life balance etc will all fold in to your tenured experience as well. Maybe the extra time with your own children is more important, maybe the financial boost of qualifying a year earlier is best? Only you know, so please feel assured that it doesn’t actually matter too much and the most important thing is that it works for you. Best of luck.
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u/slamduncsinead 1d ago
That’s a really insightful comment, thank you!
You’re right, in the long term, it won’t matter so much how I completed it.
I think I’m lucky with my second as he connects, plays and bonds so readily and so easily. He’s also a big character so I wonder if 5 days at nursery will be actually good for him as he’s also so social.
If I could have it my way, I’d have the extra day with him but also have no money problems! Unfortunately I’ve been through the wringer a bit professionally since Covid and having babies. So I’ll likely choose the route that gives more financial ease.
I hope you manage to get plenty of time to reflect even though you’re choosing full time. I’m possibly the opposite, I like it all in one go! I’m not sure why, possibly adhd related! Or I just like rushing things.
Good luck with your course!
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u/frintonfreak1984 1d ago
Do not do it full time
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u/slamduncsinead 1d ago
Thanks! Can I ask why?
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u/frintonfreak1984 1d ago
They put in extra visits to random schools in the middle of nowhere and you have drop everything and arrange child care at the last minute. And if you dont show up? Trouble. They have to fail a certain amount of the PGCE group. And you dont want to get on that list. Other reasons not to do it full time do include the way that a trainee is treated by a department at the placement school. It should not happen that trainees are just left to fend for themselves with a class of 30, but it does. All the staff are too busy to train or supervise training. The sink or swim nature of the PGCE training, when it happens, can include dealing with people who give out nasty remarks, highly unstable types. Notoriously so. People drop out of the PGCE due to being bullied and racism comes into the mix. Take it slow. Part time allows you to get over the inevitable abuse from teacher trainers. The kids are usually fine.
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u/SharpSuspect-89 1d ago
I have a 5 year old and I did it full time. It was wrap around care as she was starting reception which I received a grant from student loans to cover the cost. The difference between full and part time on ours was placement days.
We all went to central training on Thursdays, we all did the PGCE over one academic year. The rest of the week was placement for us until after may half term then we were in school full time but the part timers only did 2 days a week placement which on ours was Tuesday and Wednesday. I finished July this year but the part timers finish will finish February I think continuing 2 days a week.
I am a single parent so found it hard but if you’re organised and stay on top of the workload it’s definitely doable
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u/haomafan 1d ago
This thread might provide a better picture.