My first day

I was an absolute stack of nerves in the weeks leading up to the beginning of my PGCE course. My interview and accepting my offer seemed so long ago yet the arrival of the start date crept up on me without me realising. I was worried about what was to come but nonetheless excited by the journey I had ahead of me.

The first week of the course was purely dedicated to settling us all in and introducing us to the expectations the PGCE would ask of us. We were split immediately into our Professional Studies groups and the tutors set us off on some ice breaker challenges so that we could become more familiar with our fellow classmates quickly. This made me feel a lot more comfortable and it was really interesting to hear the different places we were all coming from and the reasons why we had decided to go into teaching.

Having just graduated from my undergraduate degree and with less than twenty days experience in a school, I was really anxious that I would be at a disadvantage to those who had had a lot more time working in a classroom environment. But as soon as the PGCE began it was made clear to us all that it didn’t matter that some of us felt under prepared for going on placement as the tutors were really supportive and emphasised how much they believed that we all could do it no matter where we were at with understanding pedagogy.

I value how much effort was put into our Induction Week because in the space of a week the sessions and experiences we gained cleared up many worries that had been playing on my mind. The majority of activities were centred on encouraging new formed friendships and throwing us into working collaboratively as a team. This has proved vital as the course goes on and has reassured me for getting through the year ahead with friends to help me along the way.

How university tutors helped me

The University Tutors offer so much support throughout the PGCE year. This may be pastoral (when having wobbles or issues that need addressing), professionally (setting targets and discussing placements/interviews), and educationally (shaping seminars around responses from students).

It is clear, even from the interview stage at Warwick University, that the tutors want you to succeed in your PGCE year. They offer constructive feedback and are open and honest about the challenges ahead in the coming year. They encourage us to work together and create a supportive year group network in which we can share experiences and offer each other advice.

All of the tutors are very approachable and share contact information early on in the year so that we can get in touch whenever support or guidance is required. It is easy to arrange a drop in appointment to talk to tutors at university and they are happy to help when we are out on placement too.

During the personal tutor appointments across the academic year there are opportunities to really get to know each other which allows your tutor to write an informative and honest reference when you apply for jobs. These meetings facilitate discussions about course work, placement, wider educational interests and targets/advice in order to develop your teaching practice. These meetings are invaluable and really give you the chance to share how you are feeling in order to make the most out of your PGCE year.

Throughout the year the University Tutors signpost you to support services across the university campus and beyond. They are there to support you on placement as link tutors to moderate your progress and ensure that the placement is going well.