My PGCE: Recent Episodes

James B

A podcast documenting my journey as a trainee teacher, with a special focus on mental health.

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My PGCE is finished! I talk about: 

  • QTS (Qualified Teacher Status)
  • ECT (Early Career Teacher)
  • Advice for new trainees:
    • Go with the flow
    • Focus on what matters, namely:
  • -- Good explanations (self-efficacy)
  • -- Students feel cared for (belonging)
    • Constant dialogue with mentors/tutors
  • Mental health:
    • Life is stressful...
    • ... so find a purpose
  • What next?
  • Introducing the Mr Brown Podcast

Twitter: https://twitter.com/mypgcepod 
Email: mypgcepod at gmail dot com 
Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/mypgcepod 

Mr Brown Podcast: https://mrbrownpod.buzzsprout.com 
Mr Brown Twitter: https://twitter.com/mrbrownpod 
Mr Brown website: https://mrbrownpod.com 

Credits: 
Art by OB Graphic Design (Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/obgraphicdesign0) 
Music by JuliusH (Pixabay: https://pixabay.com/users/juliush-3921568) 

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I talk to fellow podcaster Miss Ruddick (https://linktr.ee/hattyeru) about our experiences of the PGCE: 

  • Introductions
  • Picking battles
  • Overcoming a host challenges
  • Mental health

Twitter: https://twitter.com/mypgcepod 
Email: mypgcepod at gmail dot com 
Become a patron: https://www.patreon.com/mypgcepod 

Credits: 
Art by OB Graphic Design (Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/obgraphicdesign0/) 
Music by JuliusH (Pixabay: https://pixabay.com/users/juliush-3921568/) 

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I talk about the last few weeks of my PGCE: 

  • Overview
  • From Year 6 to Year 7
  • Intellectual need
  • Mental health

Twitter: https://twitter.com/mypgcepod 
Email: mypgcepod at gmail dot com 
Become a patron: https://www.patreon.com/mypgcepod 

Credits: 
Art by OB Graphic Design (Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/obgraphicdesign0/) 
Music by JuliusH (Pixabay: https://pixabay.com/users/juliush-3921568/) 

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I talk about the last two weeks of my PGCE: 

  • Three days at a SEND school
  • Why don't we have RSHE specialists?
  • Mental health

Twitter: https://twitter.com/mypgcepod 
Email: mypgcepod at gmail dot com 
Become a patron: https://www.patreon.com/mypgcepod 

Credits: 
Art by OB Graphic Design (Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/obgraphicdesign0/) 
Music by JuliusH (Pixabay: https://pixabay.com/users/juliush-3921568/) 

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I talk about the last few weeks of my PGCE: 

  • It was a fart spray!
  • The value of trainee teachers
  • Necessity - the mother of fast lesson planning
  • A bit of a breakdown
  • A wobbly
  • A quote from Roger Ascham (1515-68)

Twitter: https://twitter.com/mypgcepod 
Email: mypgcepod at gmail dot com 
Become a patron: https://www.patreon.com/mypgcepod 

Credits: 
Art by OB Graphic Design (Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/obgraphicdesign0/) 
Music by JuliusH (Pixabay: https://pixabay.com/users/juliush-3921568/) 

Support the show

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I talk about the last couple of weeks of my PGCE: 

  • Shadowing a Hub Director
  • A smelly observation
  • What value do trainees add?
  • Caffeine withdrawal
  • Post-football panic

Twitter: https://twitter.com/mypgcepod 
Email: mypgcepod at gmail dot com 
Become a patron: https://www.patreon.com/mypgcepod 

Credits: 
Art by OB Graphic Design (Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/obgraphicdesign0/) 
Music by JuliusH (Pixabay: https://pixabay.com/users/juliush-3921568/) 

Support the show (https://www.patreon.com/mypgcepod)

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I talk about the last couple of weeks of my PGCE: 

  • Y7 trip to Birmingham University
  • Pitch and pace
  • A mental health blip

Twitter: https://twitter.com/mypgcepod 
Email: mypgcepod at gmail dot com 
Become a patron: https://www.patreon.com/mypgcepod 

Credits: 
Art by OB Graphic Design (Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/obgraphicdesign0/) 
Music by JuliusH (Pixabay: https://pixabay.com/users/juliush-3921568/) 

Support the show (https://www.patreon.com/mypgcepod)

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I talk about the last couple of weeks of my PGCE: 

  • The Stars competition
  • What do cows drink?
  • The war in Ukraine and mental health
  • Relatedness

Twitter: https://twitter.com/mypgcepod 
Email: mypgcepod at gmail dot com 
Become a patron: https://www.patreon.com/mypgcepod 

Credits: 
Art by OB Graphic Design (Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/obgraphicdesign0/) 
Music by JuliusH (Pixabay: https://pixabay.com/users/juliush-3921568/) 

Support the show

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I talk about the last couple of weeks of my PGCE: 

  • My most instructive experience yet
  • Targeted questioning vs pace
  • Don't stress about stress!

Twitter: https://twitter.com/mypgcepod 
Email: mypgcepod at gmail dot com 
Become a patron: https://www.patreon.com/mypgcepod 

Credits: 
Art by OB Graphic Design (Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/obgraphicdesign0/) 
Music by JuliusH (Pixabay: https://pixabay.com/users/juliush-3921568/) 

Support the show (https://www.patreon.com/mypgcepod)

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I talk about the last couple of weeks of my PGCE: 

  • The deep end
  • My longest day of teaching yet
  • Is respect transitive?
  • The dilemma of escalating too quickly too soon
  • Loose end anxiety

Twitter: https://twitter.com/mypgcepod 
Email: mypgcepod at gmail dot com 
Become a patron: https://www.patreon.com/mypgcepod 

Credits: 
Art by OB Graphic Design (Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/obgraphicdesign0/) 
Music by JuliusH (Pixabay: https://pixabay.com/users/juliush-3921568/) 

Support the show (https://www.patreon.com/mypgcepod)

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I talk about the twenty first week of my PGCE: 

  • New format
  • Looking back:
    • Planning en route
    • Fluid lessons
    • Adapting to student needs
  • Looking forward:
    • Enforcing silence
    • Consistency with sanctions/praise
    • More thorough questioning
    • Thinking before, during and after model solutions
    • End of lesson routines
    • Less time facing the board
    • Checking workbooks
  • Mental health:
    • To-do list mindset

Twitter: https://twitter.com/mypgcepod 
Email: mypgcepod at gmail dot com 
Become a patron: https://www.patreon.com/mypgcepod 

Credits: 
Art by OB Graphic Design (Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/obgraphicdesign0/) 
Music by JuliusH (Pixabay: https://pixabay.com/users/juliush-3921568/) 

Support the show (https://www.patreon.com/mypgcepod)

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I talk about the twentieth week of my PGCE: 

  • Targets
  • Some thoughts:
    • What is the purpose of exam results?
    • "We know what's best for you"
    • The classroomisability principle
    • Unobservable classroom management
    • Teaching students to focus their efforts in exams
    • "Just do the next right thing"
    • Giving students a reason to be quiet
  • Mental health:
    • Reappraising stress

Twitter: https://twitter.com/mypgcepod 
Email: mypgcepod at gmail dot com 
Become a patron: https://www.patreon.com/mypgcepod 

Credits: 
Art by OB Graphic Design (Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/obgraphicdesign0/) 
Music by JuliusH (Pixabay: https://pixabay.com/users/juliush-3921568/) 

Support the show (https://www.patreon.com/mypgcepod)

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I talk about the first week in my new placement school: 

  • [Edit]
  • Overview
  • Zooming in:
    • Best classroom management
    • Best maths teaching
  • -- Style 1
  • -- Style 2
  • Mental health:
    • Some tiredness induced anxiety
    • Not a threat, but a challenge
    • Bonus: oblivious or paranoid?

Twitter: https://twitter.com/mypgcepod 
Email: mypgcepod at gmail dot com 
Become a patron: https://www.patreon.com/mypgcepod 

Credits: 
Art by OB Graphic Design (Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/obgraphicdesign0/) 
Music by JuliusH (Pixabay: https://pixabay.com/users/juliush-3921568/) 

Support the show (https://www.patreon.com/mypgcepod)

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I talk about the final two weeks of the first term of my PGCE: 

  • Overview
  • Zooming in:
    • Failing to create a headache
    • Interview day
    • Football, failure and motivation
  • Mental health:
    • A more detailed sense of purpose

Twitter: https://twitter.com/mypgcepod 
Email: mypgcepod at gmail dot com 
Become a patron: https://www.patreon.com/mypgcepod 

Credits: 
Art by OB Graphic Design (Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/obgraphicdesign0/) 
Music by JuliusH (Pixabay: https://pixabay.com/users/juliush-3921568/) 

Support the show (https://www.patreon.com/mypgcepod)

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I talk about the thirteenth and fourteenth weeks of my PGCE: 

  • Overview
  • Mental and physical health

Twitter: https://twitter.com/mypgcepod 
Email: mypgcepod at gmail dot com 
Become a patron: https://www.patreon.com/mypgcepod 

Credits: 
Art by OB Graphic Design (Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/obgraphicdesign0/) 
Music by JuliusH (Pixabay: https://pixabay.com/users/juliush-3921568/) 

Support the show (https://www.patreon.com/mypgcepod)

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I talk about the twelth week of my PGCE: 

  • Overview
  • Zooming in:
    • The Saga of the Mini Whiteboards
    • What do inspectors really see?
  • Mental health:
    • Maxed out

Twitter: https://twitter.com/mypgcepod 
Email: mypgcepod at gmail dot com 
Become a patron: https://www.patreon.com/mypgcepod 

Credits: 
Art by OB Graphic Design (Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/obgraphicdesign0/) 
Music by JuliusH (Pixabay: https://pixabay.com/users/juliush-3921568/) 

Support the show (https://www.patreon.com/mypgcepod)

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I talk about the eleventh week of my PGCE: 

  • Overview
  • Zooming in:
    • Advice from a Deputy Headteacher
  • -- Shepherding
  • -- Who do?
    • Is learning invisible?
    • My first full lesson
    • Teaching with urgency
  • Mental health:
    • Running on adrenaline
    • Routines

Twitter: https://twitter.com/mypgcepod 
Email: mypgcepod at gmail dot com 
Become a patron: https://www.patreon.com/mypgcepod 

Credits: 
Art by OB Graphic Design (Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/obgraphicdesign0/) 
Music by JuliusH (Pixabay: https://pixabay.com/users/juliush-3921568/) 

Support the show (https://www.patreon.com/mypgcepod)

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I talk about the tenth week of my PGCE: 

  • Overview
  • Zooming in:
    • Which comes first: motivation or success?
    • Creating a headache
  • Mental health:
    • Monday motivation melodrama

Twitter: https://twitter.com/mypgcepod 
Email: mypgcepod at gmail dot com 
Become a patron: https://www.patreon.com/mypgcepod 

Credits: 
Art by OB Graphic Design (Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/obgraphicdesign0/) 
Music by JuliusH (Pixabay: https://pixabay.com/users/juliush-3921568/) 

Support the show (https://www.patreon.com/mypgcepod)

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I talk about the eighth week of my PGCE: 

  • Overview
  • Zooming in:
    • Can problem solving be taught?
    • Leading some starter activities
    • Advice from an expert teacher
  • Mental health:
    • A wobbly before bedtime

Twitter: https://twitter.com/mypgcepod 
Email: mypgcepod at gmail dot com 
Become a patron: https://www.patreon.com/mypgcepod 

Credits: 
Art by OB Graphic Design (Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/obgraphicdesign0/) 
Music by JuliusH (Pixabay: https://pixabay.com/users/juliush-3921568/) 

Support the show (https://www.patreon.com/mypgcepod)

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I talk about the seventh week of my PGCE: 

  • Overview
  • Zooming in:
  • -  "Resilience"
    • Repetitive starter exercises
    • Writing down working
    • Participation and performance
    • Fischer Family Trust
    • The teaching "cage"
    • Making exceptions of ourselves
    • Whose values?
  • Mental health:
  • -  A bump in the road...
    • ... but only a bump

Twitter: https://twitter.com/mypgcepod 
Email: mypgcepod at gmail dot com 
Become a patron: https://www.patreon.com/mypgcepod 

Credits: 
Art by OB Graphic Design (Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/obgraphicdesign0/) 
Music by JuliusH (Pixabay: https://pixabay.com/users/juliush-3921568/) 

Support the show (https://www.patreon.com/mypgcepod)

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I talk about (some of) the sixth week of my PGCE, which continued in self-isolation: 

  • Overview
  • Cognitive overload in trainee teachers
  • Mental health

Twitter: https://twitter.com/mypgcepod 
Email: mypgcepod at gmail dot com 
Become a patron: https://www.patreon.com/mypgcepod 

Credits: 
Art by OB Graphic Design (Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/obgraphicdesign0/) 
Music by JuliusH (Pixabay: https://pixabay.com/users/juliush-3921568/) 

Support the show (https://www.patreon.com/mypgcepod)

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I talk about the fifth week of my PGCE, which was spent in self-isolation: 

  • Overview
  • Zooming in:
  • -  How vs Why
    • Maths anxiety and working memory
  • Mental health:
    • No obligations
    • Losing routines
    • Feeling a bit sad

Twitter: https://twitter.com/mypgcepod 
Email: mypgcepod at gmail dot com 
Become a patron: https://www.patreon.com/mypgcepod 

Credits: 
Art by OB Graphic Design (Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/obgraphicdesign0/) 
Music by JuliusH (Pixabay: https://pixabay.com/users/juliush-3921568/) 

Support the show (https://www.patreon.com/mypgcepod)

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I talk about the fourth week of my PGCE: 

  • Overview
  • Zooming in:
  • -  What is an argument?
    • Starter exercises
    • Mindfulness for teaching: "capacity" and "habits of mind"
    • "No excuses" discipline
  • Mental health:
  • -  A bad Thursday evening

Twitter: https://twitter.com/mypgcepod 
Email: mypgcepod at gmail dot com 
Become a patron: https://www.patreon.com/mypgcepod 

Credits: 
Art by OB Graphic Design (Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/obgraphicdesign0/) 
Music by JuliusH (Pixabay: https://pixabay.com/users/juliush-3921568/) 

Support the show (https://www.patreon.com/mypgcepod)

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I talk about the third week of my PGCE, which was my first week in school: 

  • Overview
  • Zooming in:
    • I have forgotten how to do maths
    • Breaking down problems
    • Teachers can affect student behaviour
  • Mental health:
    • Failing to fight the flow
    • A very positive teaching experience
    • Body clock

Twitter: https://twitter.com/mypgcepod 
Email: mypgcepod at gmail dot com 
Become a patron: https://www.patreon.com/mypgcepod 

Credits: 
Art by OB Graphic Design (Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/obgraphicdesign0/) 
Music by JuliusH (Pixabay: https://pixabay.com/users/juliush-3921568/) 

Support the show (https://www.patreon.com/mypgcepod)

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I talk about the second week of my PGCE: 

  • Overview
  • Zooming in:
    • Lessons as stories
    • Is mathematics harmful?
  • Mental health:
    • To-do list
    • Morning routine
    • Subject knowledge audit
    • The podcast
    • High note

Twitter: https://twitter.com/mypgcepod 
Email: mypgcepod at gmail dot com 
Become a patron: https://www.patreon.com/mypgcepod 

Credits: 
Art by OB Graphic Design (Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/obgraphicdesign0/) 
Music by JuliusH (Pixabay: https://pixabay.com/users/juliush-3921568/) 

Support the show (https://www.patreon.com/mypgcepod)

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I talk about the first week of my PGCE: 

  • Overview
  • Zooming in:
    • Social media cautionary tales
    • Prevent training nightmare
    • Premature teaching philosophy
  • Mental health:
    • WhatsApp group chat
    • To-do list

Twitter: https://twitter.com/mypgcepod 
Email: mypgcepod at gmail dot com 
Become a patron: https://www.patreon.com/mypgcepod 

Credits: 
Art by OB Graphic Design (Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/obgraphicdesign0/) 
Music by JuliusH (Pixabay: https://pixabay.com/users/juliush-3921568/) 

Support the show (https://www.patreon.com/mypgcepod)

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I talk to John Thornby about what makes a successful PGCE student: 

  • Who is John Thornby? And what qualifies him to talk on this topic?
  • What is the PGCE? (including routes into teaching and choosing programmes)
  • What makes a successful PGCE student?
    • Motivation
    • Willingness to learn
    • Taking responsibility and control
    • Trainee/mentor relationship
    • Perserverance
    • Subject knowledge (and planning)
    • Time management
    • Work/life balance and discipline
    • Resisting perfectionism
    • Efficiency
    • Prior experience
    • Personality

Twitter: https://twitter.com/mypgcepod 
Email: mypgcepod at gmail dot com 
Become a patron: https://www.patreon.com/mypgcepod 

Credits: 
Art by OB Graphic Design (Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/obgraphicdesign0/) 
Music by JuliusH (Pixabay: https://pixabay.com/users/juliush-3921568/) 

Support the show (https://www.patreon.com/mypgcepod)

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I talk about my preparation for the PGCE: 

  • Admin (including the DBS check)
  • Academic (including the 'Preparing for a PGCE' MOOC on FutureLearn)
  • Practical (money, clothes, sleep, food, exercise and socialisation)

Twitter: https://twitter.com/mypgcepod 
Email: mypgcepod at gmail dot com 
Become a patron: https://www.patreon.com/mypgcepod 

Credits: 
Art by OB Graphic Design (Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/obgraphicdesign0/) 
Music by JuliusH (Pixabay: https://pixabay.com/users/juliush-3921568/) 

Support the show (https://www.patreon.com/mypgcepod)

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I talk about my experience of the PGCE application process: 

  • Routes into teaching
  • Deadlines
  • Picking programmes
  • Application form
  • Personal statement
  • Referees
  • Assessments and interviews
  • Mathematics Teacher Training Scholarship

Twitter: https://twitter.com/mypgcepod 
Email: mypgcepod at gmail dot com 
Become a patron: https://www.patreon.com/mypgcepod 

Credits: 
Art by OB Graphic Design (Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/obgraphicdesign0/) 
Music by JuliusH (Pixabay: https://pixabay.com/users/juliush-3921568/) 

Support the show (https://www.patreon.com/mypgcepod)

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In this introductory episode, I talk about my motivations: 

  • Why do I want to become a teacher?
  • Why do I want to become a maths teacher in particular?
  • And why am I making a podcast about it?

Twitter: https://twitter.com/mypgcepod 
Email: mypgcepod at gmail dot com 
Become a patron: https://www.patreon.com/mypgcepod 

Credits: 
Art by OB Graphic Design (Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/obgraphicdesign0/) 
Music by JuliusH (Pixabay: https://pixabay.com/users/juliush-3921568/) 

Support the show (https://www.patreon.com/mypgcepod)