Not quite Billy Bragg...

This week saw what was described as both "the biggest public walkout since the Winter of Discontent" and "a damp squib". Well whatever it was I am proud to say I was involved!

Not only did I strike (well as a relief worker not in a union I technically didn't strike per se, but I didn't go into work), but I also went on my first ever protest march.

It was looking a bit iffy when we first got to the car park where everyone was meant to be meeting; there were hardly any people and they were only trickling in as the minutes ticked by. But then the next time I looked there was hardly room to move there were that many people! Although to be honest you didn't have to look to notice that - the noise gave it away...

Justified noise. The noise of dissatisfied and disillusioned public sector workers who weren't going to let the government screw them over again - at least not without a fight. The pay freeze for the last 2 years (give or take) not enough? The public sector is home to some of the most unwanted jobs, and its workers are undervalued & underappreciated enough without the government twisting statistics to make them look greedy! Public sector pensions are not goldplated - if you heard David Cameron's examples of nurse & teacher during the week then please forget it. He was making the new package seem better by using as few details as possible. For starters under the new conditions public sector workers are expected to work longer, so the pension is bound to appear bigger as a raw number - especially if you do what Cameron did and assume that you start at 25 and work the full 40-year career without any break... How many people is that going to apply to?

Anyway, I digress. The march. Yes, there was quite a bit of standing around at the start making a noise (something that can't be done "in a field" - it's a demonstration, if you're in a field who can you demonstrate to, a cow?), but we did eventually get going. I was a little nervous of the reaction that we would get, but other than one bloke that looked like he wanted to spit at us (and I would've been right in the firing line) it wasn't too bad. Some indifference, some curiosity and quite a few giving us a clap! A load of firemen were even lined up next to their fire engines cheering us on!

The rally afterwards outside County Hall did go on a little too long, given how cold it was, but at least some of the speakers made it worth it - some really inspiring stuff scattered amongst the depressing facts.

I'm not sure how much of a difference it will make, but I'm glad I took part. For my own future and to support my mum (which I think is the least I, or anyone, could do). And I'll strike again & again if needs be - how many times will it take for Westminster to listen?

Trumpets, champagne, balloons, etc.

I may have been waiting almost 4 weeks, but today's email from Bath Spa seems to have arrived in a flash...

I've been offered an interview! Trumpets, champagne, balloons, etc.

Honestly, it's equally exciting and terrifying. I hated not knowing exactly how the interview would be formatted, and now I know what I'll have to do I'm having kittens about it!

But actually the worst thing is that the day starts at 9.45 am, so I'll be faced with the joy of still having to leave the house at my workday time most probably - and relying on my dad to transport me to the campus on time this time... I still get flashbacks to when he ignored my directions to Cardiff University Hospital for my VERY FIRST INTERVIEW EVER and consequently made me arrive late. Not that I bear grudges or anything!!

I'm not going to reveal exactly what I now know about the day that's ahead of me, as I believe everyone else should have to suffer as I have with trying to second guess the university! Harsh, but fair (to me at least).

So yes. I'll be in Bath in a couple of weeks. The preparation begins now...

Taking my first steps...

It seems like an absolute age since I decided that teaching was the direction for me - and now finally my application is complete!

I'd set my mind on getting as much experience as humanly possible, whilst meticulously filling out my application form. I went in for the whole of the first day back, and that was when I got the long-awaited call saying there was a temping placement on offer! Obviously there was no way I could turn it down, despite the knot in my stomach telling me that long-term it may affect my chances...

Looking back now I'm seeing it rather differently! Firstly, I've had plenty of experience over the past few years (gap year reader, Student Associates Scheme, general classroom helper), so it's not like I desperately need to get a year's worth of placement in. Secondly, it's school experience that I'm doing - just from an alternative angle! If the Principal says it could be useful then who am I to argue?

But the real bonus is that, being based in the Sixth Form (sorry, Post 16), I'm in the perfect place to get advice and support. I've managed to find my second referee as well as get offers of reading materials and mock interviews! Plus I had the perfect quiet concentration time prior to work in which I could get on with my personal statement - there just never seemed to be the right time at home! And I'd definitely advise any prospective personal statement writers (PGCE or otherwise) to find some quiet times to really focus on what is one of the most important documents you'll ever write.

To be honest I probably put too much pressure on myself with the whole thing; it makes a good impression being almost a month early, and it's definitely a weight off your shoulders, but looking back I reckon that getting everything submitted a fortnight before the deadline would be enough leeway! Especially as it took nearly a week for the welcome letter to come through from the GTTR, and I'm still nervously twiddling my thumbs waiting to see if my first choice is going to offer me an interview...