Another 2 for the price of 1 again today- as these too are linked!
This is the final post in my highlights ‘series’. It’s been great looking back on the PGCE and I hope it’s (or some of it!) has made interesting reading. I’ll be back to normal service (and back in the UK!) shortly!
So without further ado…
The 14th highlight from my PGCE year is…
My final observation.
After having so many observations during the year, you think you’d get used to them- but my final observation was perhaps the most nerve wrecking of them all!
But when I had finally finished my observation lesson and had the (good!) feedback from my UEA tutor the sense of relief was amazing.
It marked the final thing I had to achieve- I effectively knew after the observation that I would be gaining QTS and a PGCE! 
As I’ve already mentioned my children in the class picked up on this and their congratulations made it even more amazing!
It was great also to know that I could (unoffically) escape some of the paperwork which was required by UEA. [I’m not saying though that there was no need for the paperwork during the course!] It meant I was able to spend some time working out how I want to manage my workload and teaching during my NQT year. I was ‘allowed’ to teach without a in-depth daily plan (but instead working from a fairly detailed weekly plan). I felt that my teaching really developed after my final observation and that I started to really feel at home in the classroom.
My last 2 weeks on placement, post final observation were certainly the best 2 weeks of placement.
I can’ wait for my NQT year!
And my 15th and final highlight of the PGCE is…
Finishing!
Finally finishing the course was an amazing feeling. I had survived the year! As I’ve said numerous times it has been a fantastic year but it was a good feeling to have finished!
I’ve reflected more on finishing the PGCE here. so I won’t repeat it here.
I now can’t wait to get started in September on my NQT year- which I know will be full of learning, new experiences and great memories!
TH
Just want to say how much I’ve enjoyed reading your blog after stumbling across it a few months ago. I’m due to start a primary PGCE with language specialism this September and I am both very excited and very apprehensive! It’s nice to read someone’s account of it, especially as you seemed to have so many positive experiences.
Come on Tim, tell it like it is; much of the paperwork on the PGCE is pointless!
Congratulations on finishing. I’m always amazed when you say how your classes knew you were a student and were supported, most classes i have come across would have eaten someone alive if they knew that!
Thanks for sharing your reflections these last few weeks, they’ve been very interesting.
Thank you for sharing your story. I know where you’re coming from. I was in your situation before and I can’t explain the feeling of finishing the course. I hope you find the career that suits you.