Qualifications needed to do a PGCE?

Question

What qualifications are required after completing a B.A. (Hons)course at University, when applying for a PGCE teaching course.

Answer 1

The best thing you can do is volunteer at a local school ;listening to children read etc.
Also contact you local council and enquire about working at a play scheme over the holidays (you should be payed to do this).
You will probably need a CRB (criminal record bureau) check, it costs about £50 and is valid for 3 years, you can apply on line: crb.gov.uk
Academically you will need to have at least 5 G.C.S.E's grade A-C, which include the core subjects (English, maths, science). A levels in the aforementioned subjects are beneficial.
A degree in one of the core subjects or education studies would be great, the classification is generally irrelevant, the experience you have gained volunteering will be essential.
Beware most likely upon qualification you will find it very hard to find work, you will be competing with people who have been training for 3-4 years. You will be entering the profession realistically having learnt very little, except basic classroom management skills and how to put up a display!
Good luck and think very carefully if this is a career path you really want to take.

Answer 2

You can teach primary with a secondary PGCE and vice versa. Maybe try some primary supply teaching and see how much you enjoy it? Its also worth considering that although it can be stressful being a teacher and there are times when you will be very busy, its nothing like as busy as a PGCE year is. Also, each school will be very different. I hated my first teaching practise with a passion, but then loved the second one. If you decide that teaching really isn't for you, its still worth competing the course. Many employers outside of education will appreciate the fact that you have a post graduate qualification, in the same way that employers look for a degree, even if it is in a subject which is not relevent to the job.

Answer 3

Generally, if you've done a subject appropriate BA, you can get onto the according secondary PGCE. Your BA needs to be a subject that'll be relevant in the classroom though. You also need a C or above in English, Maths and Science.
In addition to qualifications, some experience in schools is usually essential.
However, if you plan to do a primary PGCE, I wouldn't bother.
It's incredibly hard and intensive work, and you tend not to get jobs because the better teachers have done Primary BAs or BEds. Many a teacher has told me that Primary PGCEs aren't worth the paper they're written on.

Answer 4

I'm pretty sure nothing more than an undergraduate degree, but you may need a 2:1. Check with individual courses.

Answer 5

A genuine desire to teach:
in the subject of your choice
to students of the appropriate age group.

Don't do it just to get another qualification or because you are a perpetual student.

Answer 6

2:1 degree in a national curriculum subject (or one with a lot of NC content)

GCSE (or equivelant) Maths, English. Science (unless you are an old codger like me)

Answer 7

You have to have GCSE/O Level in Maths (unfortunately) ... and a BA.

Good luck!