PGCE Student Profiles
Use the right menu to see the answers some of our students answer some of the crucial questions about the PGCE, or read the students' comments below.
Tom de Trafford - Physics Teacher Comberton Village College
Having trained with us in 2004, Tom explains how he traded in his career in finance for teaching, and never looked back. See his profile - published by the Institute of Physics Publishing in 'Physics World'.
Mentoring and experience in school
Below: James Ward, Paula Lunn, with former mentor Sara Tulk (middle)
'A mentor gave me reassurance that I was on the right track. Mentors can teach assessment methods on a 'need to know' basis. A mentor is on your side; they give time for discussion and they want you to do well... and mentoring is built into the timetable - its not extra meetings, its protected time. And anybody we need to have time with or talk to a mentor can arrange.'
Kerry Banks, former Art PGCE trainee placement Farlingaye School
'When I was first thinking about being a teacher I didn't realise that the school would provide a dedicated mentor for my first year. Mentors are a good idea because they help you through the standards required, and give you reliable advice and assessment and school procedures. Every half term there are formal observations followed by feedback and discussion - and further informal class observations are always an option if further support is desired.'