www.liv.ac.uk/careers Examples of PGCE personal statements

Examples of personal statements
Primary (example 1)
I believe teaching is an essential profession and that those in it, along with a school’s support staff, have a great
responsibility as educators. Teaching will offer me the challenge and diversity I seek from my career. I feel I have the
right abilities to make that difference in a young person’s life. I also feel I possess the skills that will enable me to
make a positive contribution to teaching.
I have had placements in 2 schools, Liverpool High School and St Helen’s Primary School. Having worked within both
primary and secondary age groups I have found that I got more enjoyment dealing with the formative years. I felt
more satisfaction at seeing younger children grasp the fundamentals behind a topic. For example how a particular
student with encouragement and patience can come to terms with the idea of doubling and halving or how easy it
was for the students in year 9 to use a search engine to find out facts in an I.T. lesson. I particularly enjoyed the
results of instilling confidence and self belief in students, seeing them feel they can achieve and should try to do so.
Watching the teachers at work has illustrated that children respond differently to a variety of teaching methods. I
observed that a teacher’s approach to the class can have a profound effect on the learning ability of those children.
The teacher constantly changed the way she taught the class to maintain their interest and focus on activities. She
encouraged and praised children who were finding activities difficult giving them confidence to try and in many
cases achieve. Her positive attitude towards the children gave them belief in themselves leading to a positive
learning environment. These experiences have also opened my eyes to the demands put on teachers outside the
classrooms: the struggle for financing, pressures on time management and dealing with the teacher/ parent
relationship. There are also clerical duties, which need to be completed whilst not taking away from the teacher’s
effectiveness within the classroom, which is where I believe they make the greatest difference
Providing this variety represents a huge challenge in an environment with more than thirty pupils, but I am confident
that it is a challenge I will be able to meet. Through my role as an admin assistant for my local council and through
being secretary of a drama society I have developed the skills which will enable me to cope with the challenges
facing those in the teaching profession. I have learnt to be organized and to manage my time in order to meet the
demands of my degree and extra-curricular activities. I also ensure that in all my roles I communicate with colleagues
in an appropriate manner.
My studies to date have given me a firm grasp of my subject, examining the ancient history of several civilisations
(including Greece, Rome, Egypt and ancient Britain) which are all relevant to the national curriculum for Key stages 1
and 2. I was also required to study literature and extrapolate relevant information as a core part of my course which
coupled with my previous experience at GCSE and A level has given me a good grasp of English. A module of my
course together with my current employment has also developed my computer skills.
I would like to make a contribution to the wider school community by continuing my interests in sports and music. I
have played netball throughout my time at school and university and feel that sports in schools are essential as they
encourage team work, as well as being crucial for health and fitness. I have qualifications in flute and saxophone and
would welcome the opportunity to develop pupils’ musical education.
From my experience I have seen that teaching provides extensive and sometimes exhausting challenges for which
the rewards more than justify the effort. It is a profession which I would relish, giving me the chance to make a
difference in the lives of others at their most impressionable.
Primary (example 2)
I am passionate about teaching children and my extensive experience in a classroom environment has demonstrated
that I will find working with children extremely rewarding and that I would be well suited to being a primary school
teacher. My studies to date have given me a firm grasp of my subject, examining the ancient history of several
civilisations (including Greece, Rome, Egypt and ancient Britain) which are all relevant to the national curriculum for
Key stages 1 and 2. I was also required to study literature and extrapolate relevant information as a core part of my
course which coupled with my previous experience at GCSE and A level has given me a good grasp of English. A
module of my course together with my current employment has also developed my computer skills.
I have a good understanding of core subjects including Mathematics, English and Science and feel that I would be
able to convey these subjects to children in a creative, enjoyable and exciting way.