PGCE Primary
“I was attracted to the PGCE at Oxford Brookes because of its locality and because it offered the balance between placement and campus time that I wanted in order to be the best teacher I could possibly be”
Prior to starting my PGCE I worked at a children’s centre with children from birth to 5 years. I was also studying alongside working for my BA (Hons) in Early Years, Childcare and Education. I chose the Early Years pathway in my PGCE as it was the area I had the most experience in. Also, it’s an area of education where there is a lack of men taking up posts. This is an area I am really passionate about – encouraging more men to get involved in the specialism.
I was attracted to the PGCE at Oxford Brookes because of its locality and because it offered the balance between placement and campus time that I wanted in order to be the best teacher I could possibly be. I have enjoyed meeting new people and sharing knowledge and experience with them especially as many of those on the course are from different backgrounds and have different specialisms; this gave a varied skills set across the group.
With my fellow students having different skills sets from myself, it made it possible for us to collaborate as a group to make sure when others had weaknesses we can turn them into strengths so ultimately, everyone can reach their goal of becoming an NQT when the course comes to an end.
The best thing about being a student in the School of Education is the level of experience we have been able to gain throughout all our placements, through the people we meet and the staff who deliver the lectures and seminars. Everyone is there to help regardless of how small the problem is; everyone learns and everyone cares.
Once I complete my PGCE and in the next five years my aim is to complete my Masters in Early Years Education. In the next ten years I would like to be a Headteacher in my own school in the Swindon/Wiltshire area.