Thinking of starting PGCE, what now?

You may have been considering becoming a teacher for some time, or you may just be realising that teaching might be the career for you.

So what are the next steps? What do you need to know? Here are some helpful things to think about going forward.

Do your homework

Where will you study? Will you choose a full-time regular PGCE course or School Direct/Teach First course? Will you teach secondary or primary? What funding is available?

These were just some of the questions I had when I began to look into teacher training.

Luckily there are some good websites and organisations out there to help you. The links are included below.

UCAS. There is lots of information, links, videos and advice available on the UCAS website. Go to the teacher training section. This is where you will apply for courses too rather than through the standard undergraduate part of the site. And the good news? Applying for teacher training is free!

UCAS website

Get into Teaching website. The Department for Education run this service which is full of sound information and advice for potential trainee teachers. I called the hotline and spoke to an adviser who was very supportive and answered my questions. Teach also run ‘Train to Teach’ roadshows which are free to attend and offer advice and support to anyone considering going into teaching.

Get into Teaching website

Student finance and bursaries. Do your homework and find out what support is available to you as soon as you can. I received full support from student finance in the former of a grant and loan as well as a bursary based on my subject choice and degree qualification.

Student Finance England website

Initial teacher training bursary guide

Visit Universities. The University of Worcester was originally a teacher training college so that means it has been teaching teachers for the last 70 years. The next open day is on Thursday 31st March 2016.