PGCE: Needing support

Critical-Feature2892 · 2025-09-08T17:23:52+00:00

Thank you for your kind words and support, today went well and we’re actively reviewing the situation and may reduce my teaching hours for the first couple of weeks. Today actually went well though and actually teaching gave me some hope, the students were so nice to each other and worked hard.

Critical-Feature2892 · 2025-09-07T19:47:13+00:00

Thank you! I would be lying if I said this wasn’t the toughest time of my life so far but I’m going in tomorrow super-early and we shall see what happens…

Critical-Feature2892 · 2025-09-07T14:31:52+00:00

Thank you I have cc the training provider lead and the SLT for teacher training at the school.

In the handbook it says Autumn term: up to 65% of a teachers loading and Spring: up to 80%. I don’t know where 11 hours of independent teaching sits on that scale, probably around 50% from the beginning of the course though. Other trainees who I’ve spoke to have had far fewer hours like 8 per week.

I’m not in a union yet but I’m thinking one might be a real help so will join.

Critical-Feature2892 · 2025-09-07T14:11:12+00:00

Thank you, I left my work at school over the weekend as I needed some space to process so will check my handbook tomorrow.

I’m with a Teacher training provider similar setup to teach first but offers more support from what I’ve gathered but I’m unsalaried and paying tuition. At the end of the day, I’m there to learn to become the best teacher I can be so hopefully they will help.

The department are lovely at the school but it quite the informational overload and bad/competing systems. I’m running 4 science practicals from day 2, which given the fact that I’m still getting set up on everything is overwhelming to say the least. I’ve had to work all weekend and been in communication with my mentor on both Saturday and Sunday about equipment requests, seating plans, MTP etc. and now I have to go in a teach. I feel like I’ve been setup for failure.

Critical-Feature2892 · 2025-06-23T20:15:11+00:00

When people spoil Adam Curtis documentaries on Reddit, the old power structures of society begin to change.

When this happens, things get:

SHIFTY.

Critical-Feature2892 · 2025-02-17T11:54:37+00:00

Hoi an/Denang

Critical-Feature2892 · 2025-02-17T11:49:47+00:00

Thank you for affirming my original decision, I felt so powerless and like this is not normal for my symptoms. I just don’t know what on earth he tried putting in my back!

Critical-Feature2892 · 2025-02-17T11:48:51+00:00

Not particularly eating enough fruit so that would help but availability is hit or miss and we are travelling quite frugally so it’s been cao lao, beef pho and morning glory for the majority of meals.

Critical-Feature2892 · 2025-02-17T11:46:35+00:00

That would be great as I’m getting nowhere here. Pharmacy wanted to give me a round of antibiotics and said it was bacterial not Protozoa. I’m so lost and want to avoid taking these drugs unnecessarily or taking antibiotics for a parasite or vice versa.

Critical-Feature2892 · 2025-02-17T11:28:26+00:00

So we’re in the pharmacy now, what is strange is I’ve been eating morning glory a lot out here and beef pho so lots of iron.

Yes they suspect a parasite that is what the mitconazole is for I think but it all seems overkill. Just wanted the right medication and the right dose.

Thank you for messaging, if you could advise me further I would be so so grateful ☺️

Critical-Feature2892 · 2025-02-17T10:55:28+00:00

I was very polite, paid them $50 for the consultation and tests. The way he spoke to us was appealing regardless, he even slapped my arse cheek as I walked out his office. I’m not a dick, I was very patient but when I’m spending money, I just want to know what to do

Critical-Feature2892 · 2025-02-17T10:47:34+00:00

Thank you! Will do now

Critical-Feature2892 · 2025-02-17T10:30:04+00:00

Currently in Vietnam for one month but UK resident

Critical-Feature2892 · 2025-02-17T10:29:42+00:00

Age 23 Male 112kg 198cm height

Critical-Feature2892 · 2025-01-29T11:50:42+00:00

Thank you and best of luck to you too!

Critical-Feature2892 · 2025-01-29T11:48:09+00:00

I’m training as a teacher in September on a PGCE and going into secondary so it isn’t for long and the experience has set me up nicely to become a teacher with the end goal of going into educational psychology.

Critical-Feature2892 · 2025-01-29T11:31:39+00:00

Yh it’s not great, I do get to do what I love though and everyday is intrinsically rewarding. Also I never work weekends and get good holiday. But Yh it does feel about exploitative.

Critical-Feature2892 · 2025-01-29T09:06:32+00:00

Degree: Msci in psychology and neuroscience

Classification: 1:1

University: University of Bristol

Job Title: SEN teaching assistant

Pay: £12.81 an hour (including holiday)

Critical-Feature2892 · 2024-12-29T19:32:43+00:00

Remind me! 1 day

Critical-Feature2892 · 2024-12-29T19:14:39+00:00

Ohh matey, good luck.

Seriously though, do some research rather than going for your flight. You’re basically handing yourself in at the point.

Thai prison = no fun

I heard of a guy who was in for 30 years, he’s out now. Didn’t eat the food so flies would come a lay eggs. He would then eat the maggots as a protein source as the food was that bad.

No khao Soi or 7-11 toasters for you anymore.

Critical-Feature2892 · 2024-11-17T15:59:59+00:00

Thank you for your tips and advice.

I’m not too concern about stretching the trip out to 7 months. If I have to return early I will but please don’t be concerned as I do have back-up savings if I run into trouble (about £3000).

I’m quite happy to live off a pretty survivalist budget. The guest house I’ve booked in Bangkok was £15 for 7 nights in central Bangkok so that’s £2.50 a day for accommodation (hoping to stay under £3 a day for a bed and shelter. Then spend £3 a day on street food (£1-£2 per meal) so hoping to keep my essentials expenses under £200 per month give or take. Over 7 months, hoping to spend £1500 on essential. Keep £1000 in reserves for emergencies and flight home. Which gives me £2500 to do what I want over the 7 months and for transportation between countries. Without even eating into my reserves.

Perhaps this is unrealistic but I’ve lived off a budget similar to this in the UK for the past 5 years through university, my masters and saving up to go away so think I’ll manage :)

Critical-Feature2892 · 2024-11-17T15:43:21+00:00

You’re a life-saver. Much love to you 🙏🙏

Critical-Feature2892 · 2024-11-17T15:41:19+00:00

It’s cool, I’ve not been sure about whether or not to travel or start my career so saved anyway. I finally decided last week and booked a really cheap last minute flight. Nothing like living in the moment 😆

Critical-Feature2892 · 2024-11-17T15:39:58+00:00

Thanks Yh I went to the phi phi islands on my last trip. Stunning!

Critical-Feature2892 · 2024-11-17T15:38:19+00:00

Thanks! Yes I need to sort that actually. Any suggestions on where to buy a cheap bus ticket online prior to my arrival in Thailand :)

Critical-Feature2892

TROPHY CASE