Alex McDonald
Alex McDonald has graduated with a PGCE in Business with Economics.
Photo credit: Bromsgrove School
Alex McDonald completed his PGCE Secondary in Business with Economics and is now working as a teacher, but is soon to become a Head of Department. His feat is all the more remarkable as he combined this with six months helping out as a medical secretary.
“I am certainly proud of myself,” said the 24-year-old, of Cheltenham. “I remember the Course Leader saying in the first week of the PGCE that teaching is like a rollercoaster, and I definitely found the PGCE full-on at times. The end goal is always in the back of your mind, and it therefore makes life much more relaxing when you know you are going to be stood in your own classroom and making a difference to your own students in the not too distant future.”
Alex had planned to go into teaching and came to Worcester as he knew of its excellent reputation for teacher training from a previous student. However, when Covid-19 hit last spring, Alex, who was unable to go into his placement school, changed his plans. Having worked as a medical secretary for the last six years in the summer, he answered the NHS call for any staff to come forward and worked full-time as a medical secretary for Gloucestershire Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services from March to August 2020.
He is currently a Business teacher at Bromsgrove School. However, he has already been offered a promotion and will be moving to Monkton Combe School in Bath as Head of Business and Economics from September. Alongside this, he has also been offered a place at Oxford University to study for a Master’s in Learning and Teaching.
Alex added: “The PGCE course at the University of Worcester is very highly respected by schools across the country. I thoroughly enjoyed the level of support and guidance given; I would certainly classify it as a personal learning experience. Moreover, the University and I are very much still in contact and I know that if I ever have any concerns that I can ask for support and guidance.”