Student Profile: Polly Grice, PGCE in Modern Foreign Languages (French and Spanish)

Green Templeton College at the University of Oxford is home to around 600 students from 79 different countries. In our new Student Profiles series, our students will be introducing themselves and letting you know about their studies and life at Green Templeton.

Polly Grice – PGCE in Modern Foreign Languages (French and Spanish), 2018-2019

I chose the PGCE (Postgraduate Certificate in Education) at the University of Oxford because of the quality of the course and its international reputation, and complemented my studies with work experience placements with a Special Educational Needs (SEN) focus, which I’ve found really insightful in seeing how some of the most disadvantaged pupils can be supported in our school system.

My overall experience at Green Templeton has been overwhelmingly positive. Everyone at the college from the Principal Professor Denise Lievesley to the porters in the Lodge to my fellow students has been so welcoming from day one and made Green Templeton feel like my Oxford “home”.

The support available has been truly the best thing about Green Templeton. Whether it’s an academic issue I need to talk through or query about my college room at 10pm at night, the college is such a friendly and approachable place I felt like no problem was ever too big or small. Nothing is too much trouble – and the food at formal is renowned as being the best college food in Oxford so that has really helped my overall experience!

As a PGCE student I think it could be easy to feel like you’re not part of Oxford, but I can honestly say Green Templeton never made me feel like that, and there are lots of activities happening every week.

In Michaelmas, I joined the college choir and we sang at GTC Performs!, a regular showcase of the college’s musical talents. Bops, brunches and pizza nights at the Stables Bar are also a lovely, informal way of connecting with college and meeting new people.

To anyone considering Green Templeton – my advice is do it, you will be made very welcome! The small, friendly nature of the college has made all the difference to me in my year here at Oxford and I will definitely consider myself a part of Green Templeton for life. Come and visit to see it for yourself, and make sure you head to the very top of our gorgeous Radcliffe Observatory – the views from the top make the climb worthwhile, I promise.

I’ll be working in a secondary school in Suffolk from September, a job I secured during my PGCE year. I really love interacting with my students and helping them discover a love of languages and different cultures.

If would like to feature in a Student Profile please contact communications@gtc.ox.ac.uk.