Melissa Tindall

The reputation of Edge Hill University is very positive, especially for those wanting to start their teaching careers. I looked around various PGCE providers and Edge Hill felt like the right place to study.

The campus has everything you need, the facilities are excellent and communication at all stages was brilliant.

The team at Edge Hill were very supportive and knowledgeable. You are supported by your tutors when needed. The time they put into placing you into suitable placement schools was also important.

I really enjoyed the specialism part of my PGCE. Mine was English and It lead me to being the English lead for many years. Leading on a core subject was an excellent experience for going into leadership roles later down the line.

As part of my PGCE studies I got to experience all key stages across different types of schools. Some schools in more affluent areas and some that faced the challenge of being in areas of deprivation. It was extremely beneficial to experience all the different types of schools and key stages throughout the PGCE. For me in particular, it made me realise what kind of school and key stage I wanted to work in and where my strengths were.

Doing a PGCE means you need to be adaptable, confident and well organised. I feel these are three key attributes that I still need and use everyday as a headteacher.

I believe that Edge Hill was the first step in my career journey in education. I loved my last teaching placement so much that I said if a job ever came available there that I would apply. A job did become available and I applied and I am still here today. I have worked as a student teacher, class teacher, curriculum lead, wider opportunities lead, subject lead, acting assistant head, deputy headteacher and now I am the headteacher.

Edge Hill has the best reputation for anyone wanting to go into teaching. As an employer of early career teachers (ECTs), I always think highly of anyone who has studied at Edge Hill as they are always very knowledgeable, hard working and they have a good work ethic too.

The best thing about Edge Hill to me was the support during the course. The cohort group that studied the PGCE together are still friends now and we still check In on each other, share successes and try to meet to socialise even all these years later.

Our cohort group were very supportive and even now, years later, we still try to meet up and catch up even though our lives are all busy. It is lovely to see how we have all progressed in our teaching careers, with many taking on leadership roles.

I think that anyone considering going into teaching as a career should highly consider studying at Edge Hill University.

My placement experience was invaluable in preparing me for my teaching career. It gave me the opportunity to develop my classroom practice, build confidence, and gain a real understanding of school life beyond university. The support and guidance I received from experienced colleagues helped me grow as a teacher and refine my skills in planning, behaviour management and adapting lessons to meet pupils’ needs.

Through my placement, I became part of the school community and was able to demonstrate my commitment, enthusiasm and professionalism. When a teaching vacancy became available, I felt confident applying because I already knew the school, its values and expectations. The placement gave the school the chance to see what I could bring to the role, and I was delighted to secure a position there after qualifying.

Looking back, the placement was one of the most valuable parts of my PGCE. It provided hands-on experience that simply can’t be replicated elsewhere and helped me make the transition from trainee teacher to qualified teacher. My advice to current trainees would be to make the most of every opportunity, ask questions, get involved in wider school life, and embrace feedback. The more you put into your placement, the more you’ll gain from it, and you never know where it might lead.