Tom’s Blog

Here we are in 2010 and in a few weeks I Will be graduating. I must say the last three years have gone very fast. I remember thinking that 3 years was a long time to go Uni, especially as I was retraining after having been working. And now it’s finally over and I will miss going to Uni, meeting new people and going to lecture.

I have been busy sending applications for job and I am eargerly waiting the answer. It is very hard to find enough time in a day to do all of the things you nedd to do in your final year of a teaching degree. I still have a number of very boring task and portfolio to complete. Why do ou need to find assessment cover sheet from your first year is a mystery to me. So my advice is keep everything as you never know when it will be needed again

I met a friend in the city centre and we decide to go for a cup of tea (for her) and a coffee (for me). For some unknown reason, or at least I can’t remember why we met in front of the Philharmonic Hall. The choice up there is quite large from pub to bar, café and restaurant.. So we decided to go to the Quarter which is mainly a restaurant but also serve drinks coffee and AMAZING cakes during the day.

The quarter is a long established place in Liverpool (judging by the way the wooden floor is worn out in some places) I would describe it as mainly Italian but offers other alternative. The clientèle varies from groups to couple or even families with young children. You can brave the weather and sit outside or choose from 3 different room which give the place a cosy feeling. Inside you will also see some paintings or photographies from local artist on sale which give the place a different look every-time you go in.

The quarter is the perfect place to go if you want to go to a relatively cheap restaurant that aslo offer great pizza and a variety of daily special. I enjoyed my flap jack (still baffled by the coconut but it was lovely) and for once the tea pot was just a normal tea pot size!!

7 Falkner Street, City Centre, Liverpool, L8 7PU

Opening Times:
Mon - Fri: 09:00 - 23:00
Sat: 10:00  - 23:00
Sun: 11:00 - 22:30

It’s been a very long time since I last blog but I have been very busy the last three months. So if you are in your first year ENJOY! I haven’t had a minute to blog since January. I was busy researching for my dissertation (DONE) then writing a few 3,000 words assignments, get some stugg signed off and basically constantly applying for jobs!

You wouldn’t believe how much time you have to spend on each job application just to make sure you match the person specification. I have applied for both primary and secondary jobs (as I am doing a K2/3 course) and I can tell you it is very competitive. There are lots of very good people out there looking for their first job.

I  have started my final teaching practice on Monday, which means I had the joy to plan over the Easter Holiday…

Still 2 months to go till I (hopefully) graduate, just one practice and an assignment in the way and I will be done!

It’s cold, very very cold. Unfortunately this also means that everywhere you go it’s absolutely freezing. The building are cold and the class are just a little bit better.The lake (or very large pond) is frozen and the poor dukes are looking very sad and lost. At the moment the campus is looking more like a ski resort than a University. The snow as now been here for a week and even though it hasn’t snowed since there is still a good 10cm on the ground.

Luckily the staff have been able to clear the snow and if you stick to the cleared passage there is no risk to slip.

You can now book your QTS skills test and take the exam in the LINC building on campus. Currently there isn’t much of a waiting list so it is the perfect opportunity to book them now and get them done. You only need to worry about these if you are in your final year or doing a PGCE.

What are the skill test you might wonder?

Well the QTS skills test are compulsory for anyone who wants to become a teacher. It stands for Qualified Teacher Status. There are three tests ICT, Maths, English.

Are the test hard?

If you prepare yourself and do practice test before hand you will be fine.

What happen if I fail?

Nothing you just have to try again.

How much?

Nothing it’s free

Is the test the same each time?

Nope if you fail once you will have a different test next time.

Where do I book the test?

On-line via the TDA website