Exciting or turmoil: the highs and lows of teaching practice

For those taking the Post Graduate Certificate in Education (PGCE), the teaching practice environment can be a daunting one. Trainee teachers need to adjust to the demands of a new workplace and a complex professional role. They are faced with a range of potentially challenging interactions with pupils, parents and staff colleagues. The profession requires a rapid mastery of multiple roles such as delivering subject knowledge in well-planned lessons, preparing schemes of work and pastoral duties.