so... what's been happening?

On Tuesday I took and passed all my QTS skills tests, so I'm pretty chuffed about that - one less thing to worry about.

Core subject lectures are going well - I'm particularly enjoying maths.

However, I'm not happy about the whole 'masters level' bit of our course. To be honest, I believe it's all but pointless. I have to do 2 6,000 word assignments... one due in at the start of December, and another to be done during my first school placement, and handed in immediately after my 2nd. I generally don't find it hard to write huge numbers of words, but this is just way too academic for me - I don't even understand the question we've been given!! I want to learn to TEACH. I know that as teachers we have to do a lot of research, and stay up to date with current issues, but I really think there's a better way of doing it that investigating how the theories of some 1920s educational researcher impact on the lieracy hour. I'd much rather spend the hours and hours I will no doubt have to spend on this researching stuff for my first placement, and planning some really good activities. but it doesn't look like that's going to happen.

Anyway, rant over. Other than the masters level stuff, the course is going really well, and I've met some really nice people. I have a lot of work to do, but I always expected that. I just need to get on with it and get a good chunk of it out of the way tomorrow... off to visit our wedding venue with Ben and my parents on Saturday! In 9 months and 1 week I'll be a married woman. :)

All's still good in the land of ickle sarah, although as I expected, it's hotting up on the work side of things. I spent most of Saturday getting my folders in order, and doing audits and directed activities, and I really should be doing work now as opposed to writing on here!

I also have all three skills tests booked for tomorrow. I'm feeling ok about ICT and numeracy, although maybe I should feel less confident about ICT, as I can't seem to use my computing skills to find the lieracy practice test on the net!! I'm on the page of the tda website which says "An interactive version of the benchmark test and three interactive practice tests are available to download"... but can I find the 'download' button?! I managed fine with ICT and numeracy.... maybe I'm destined for failure when it comes to literacy!! Actually, the guy who gave as a session on the skills tests says it's not called 'failure', it's called 'deferred success'....!!

My maths, english and science audit tests last week went pretty well - 89%, 70% and 77%... but I need to hit 75% in every section of every test by next March, which I only did in maths (damn biolgy knowledge, or lack of it)! Still, I'm not too worried about that... I know where my weaknesses are (biology, phonics and grammar) and have alreayd planned in my audits how to swot up on them.

On Thursday and Friday last week we had 'proper' lectures/seminars and I really enjoyed most of them, particularly maths. In fact, I'm surprising myself by really enjoying the University-based bit of the course (so far) as I wasn't expecting to find it that great - I just wanted to get into school!

My first day in school is 17th October, so I should find out pretty soon where I am on placement... scary...

3 days down, 38 weeks and 2 days to go...!

Things have been going pretty well so far. I've met some great people, although am a little miffed that now the teaching groups (i.e. the groups that we spent most of our time in) have been announced, i'm not actually with any of my new friends (bar one) for the rest of the year!! Ah well, I'm sure everyone I'm still yet to meet is great too.

So far we've had three 3 hour tests - maths, english and science - and have 3 subject audit booklets to fill out, and personal learning plans to... plan. We also have to audit our into placement with reference to tot he standards, and have a few directed activities for Teaching and Learning to be getting on with.

Tomorrow I actually have the afternoon off, as ICT starts next week, so I'll be spending the afternoon at home practising for my numeracy and literacy QTS tests, which are next week. Just tried to book ICT but Southampton appears to have suddenly dropped off the TDA's list of test centres!

I'm feeling very positive - the people are nice, the lecturers seem good and friendly, and I'm loving being with people who all have pretty much the same career aspirations to me. That makes it feel incredibly different to doing an undergrad degree, where you generally only have an interest/subject in common. It's a good feeling.

Exactly 6 years ago today I started my undergraduate degree...

... and today i start my PGCE!

I'm looking forward to it (particularly meeting lots of new people), am a little apprehensive, but overall I can't wait to get started.

And I'm keeping my fingers crossed this won't be the last time I'll have time to update this before 23rd June 2006!!

Yesterday I spent a day in KS3 as part of my PGCE Introductory Placement... and I really enjoyed it! I went to a school about 2 miles from here, which is seen as being pretty 'average' (41% A*-C GCSEs) - but we all know I don't hold stats in very high regard! I came away very impressed with the teachers and pupils I encountered (particularly the Year 10s) and the feeling that if I were a parent of an 11 year old I'd be more than happy for my child to go there. The school is in dire need of a lick of paint or two, but ignoring all that, the teachers are good, the LSA support is excellent, and I just got a very good feeling about the place.

I spent the morning with 7RM, and their teacher, doing all the 'first day of term' type things - introducing school rules, doing timetables, tour of the school etc etc. The teacher was fantastic with his class, and I learnt a lot - more than I've done from most of the primary teachers I've worked with! The children were great - lots of characters there. In the afternoon I observed/got involved with an RE lesson and an English lesson, both with the lowest sets, which were very interesting to be in. The school streams by ability for all their subjects, right from year 7, which is something I definitely agree with. It means that the teachers can rally target the standard of their lessons, rather than having to cope with a class where some children are really struggling, and others and bored stiff with the 'easy' work.

At the end of the day, after the kids had wandered out of the gates to their waiting parents, I had an interesting chat with the class teacher. He gave me a few good bits of advice, which I really must remember. One of the things he said was "be yourself. You can learn things form other teachers you watch, but don't try to 'be' someone else. Do it your way". He also talked about the importance of going in 'strict' and then mellowing if you need to, as it's ten times harder to do it the other way round.

Yesterday really got me fired up, and it was very useful to observe the teacher's 'first day' routines - hopefully that'll be me in a year's time. I can't wait to get started, although I'm not really going to be spending much time in the classroom before Christmas. :( I have 2 more weeks of 'freedom' before the really hard work starts... bring it on!