“I was already at the University of Plymouth studying for my undergraduate
degree. I really liked the University and surrounding countryside/coastline
so I decided to stay and study the PGCE Secondary Mathematics programme so that
I could be a maths teacher in a secondary school.
The placement element of the programme was a really good experience as it
allowed me to see how a school functions; it allowed me plenty of opportunity to
teach whilst being observed by an experienced teacher and I was able collect
lots of useful resources. I was also able to gain experience in Ofsted
inspections as they visited both of my training schools.
I thought that the tutors were really good and had a wealth of experience. I also enjoyed the mixed lectures which enabled us to discuss generic teaching ideas with students studying other subjects.
I was placed into schools for two days a week within the first month and as such was able to experience teaching in a classroom and then go back to University three days a week to discuss my experiences and share good ideas. My second placement allowed me to practice and consolidate everything that I had learnt. As such, I was able to start applying for jobs in January as I already had a substantial amount of teaching experience.
After two years teaching at Eggbuckland Community College I’m now teaching maths at Plymouth College.”