Gettng experience with schools/ children

[oldexpat]

The 28 year old woman wants to get some experience with children so she has more chance of getting accepted to do a PGCE. Is it hard/ easy to get experiance in Schools? Even if its voluntary she doesn't mind. What work could she do that would help and most importantly how do you find this work? Are there any special web sites? Do you contact the schools directly?

[sophie_1003]

It all depends on what situation the schools are in- if they have a few NQTs and students already they may not be willing to offer any more experience to people.
The work done by volunteers is mostly group work with children (am basing this on my knowledge of primary schools) reading, playing educational games, cutting things out for displays etc.
I would contact the school directly, have a look on their website first and include a reason why you want experience at their school specifically, e.g. "... your school looks to have very good provision for SEN children, a particular area of interest for me..." in addition to explaining general reasons for seeking experience.

[factor-fiction]

Some schools run a Teacher Taster course (3 days). Just put the term into Google and see what comes up.
However I agree that it's also good to get some experience by doing some voluntary work.

[factor-fiction]

This may help too:
http://www.workingwit...ary-work-schools.html