mary-anne lincolnMary-Anne Lincoln

Deputy Curriculum Area Leader MFL, Jack Hunt School

Why did you decide to become a teacher and why did you choose Cambridge to do your PGCE?

After having graduated from my languages degree, I decided to spend a year working as a Foreign Language Assistant with the British Council in Germany. It was during this year that I realised my passion for teaching and applied for the PGCE. I chose to apply to the Cambridge PGCE course as the structure of the course gave me a lot of practical experience whilst being academically rigorous, involving action research.

How has you career progressed since your PGCE?

After completing the PGCE course I started work at the Languages College, Prince William School, teaching French and German. At the end of my NQT year I was accepted onto the Fasttrack programme and through this built the skills needed to apply for promotion at the end of my second year at Prince William School; I started the third year at Prince William School with the TLR responsibility for Alternative Accreditation Pathways in Languages. I spent my third year leading Asset languages and VIPS at Key Stage 4 as well as CBLC at Key Stage 5, effectively managing a team of teachers to successfully deliver the courses. I also spent my third year completing the NCSL course Leadership Pathways, which required me to effect a change at a whole school level and present it to a group of NCSL assessors, as well as completing several on-line modules. By the end of my third year I had a successfully applied for a job as Deputy Curriculum Area Leader in MFL at Jack Hunt School. I started this year, my fourth year teaching since completing the Cambridge PGCE. My current role requires me to take an overview of the Key Stage 3 curriculum across the whole department, as well as taking responsibility for FLAs amongst other things.

What do you feel you have gained from the PGCE that has helped you in your career to date?

The rigorous nature of the Cambridge PGCE gave me the confidence to apply for the Fasttrack programme. In turn this provided me with a lot of departmental, as well as whole school, opportunities and experience. Whilst applying for my first position of responsibility I drew on these experiences. Leadership Pathways is designed for professionals aspiring to management positions, my application for this was supported by my Fasttrack distant mentor as well as Prince William School. Whilst completing the Leadership Pathways course I had the opportunity to effect a change at a whole school level, building on my departmental responsibility. My current role requires me to use a lot of the strategies I developed during this course. Each step in my career links back to my early days as a teacher and the support and mentoring I received throughout my Cambridge PGCE.

What advice do you have for current trainees and people thinking about coming to the Cambridge PGCE?

Be prepared for the intense and rigorous nature of the course. Although it is very rewarding and the support and mentoring given is widespread, it also takes commitment and dedication to complete. However, if successful, this course can lay the foundations for a successful career.