PGCE iQTS Secondary Mathematics (11-16)

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For Secondary (11-16) you should typically meet the following criteria:

• A standard equivalent to a GCSE grade C/4 in Mathematics.
• An undergraduate degree, or a recognised equivalent qualification. This is typically 2:2 or higher but we will look at all applications against the demands of the course.
• You need to have robust prior knowledge, skills and understanding of mathematics appropriate to teaching at 11-16 level in order to enrol on this course. This may have been as part of your undergraduate degree studies, but we may also consider other qualifications and experience as evidence of subject knowledge. We suggest that you explore the content in the current English National Curriculum for Mathematics for key stage 3 (11-13yrs) and key stage 4 (14-16yrs). Prior subject knowledge will be addressed through the admissions process, including a subject knowledge audit, and at interview.

You must meet all of the iQTS Teachers' Standards, including those that relate to subject and curriculum knowledge, by the end of your training. Full support will be provided to ensure you are clear on the requirements of the iQTS Teachers' Standards.

When applying to this course students should upload a personal statement which explains why they want to do this course and what they hope this course will allow them to achieve once completed.

To enrol on the course, you'll also need:

School: This is a practice-based course. To enrol on the course, applicants need to be working in a school who will support their full engagement on the course and be able to confirm that the student has any safeguarding clearance required in that education system/context.

This will usually involve at least 120 days in teaching practice, including an intensive teaching block at the end of the year. At least two weeks of this teaching practice will need to include experience in an alternative school setting. If this is not possible we will explore alternative ways of ensuring trainees have experience and understanding of a different school context.

We'll usually ask trainees to video record some of their teaching (the trainee as teacher, not the learners) to support self-reflection and tutor and mentor evaluation. The school will need to approve this feature of the programme.

We'll liaise with the school, and provide full information, along with a contract of engagement detailing specific features and requirements of the course. The school will need to be able to deliver the school-based elements of the qualification. This needs to be agreed and signed by the Headteacher or delegate at the school, and by UWE Bristol. We may also need to undertake checks to ensure there are no barriers to undertaking an international teacher training course in the country the school is located in.

Mentor: To ensure each trainee is fully supported and co-evaluated with UWE Bristol, in advance of the course start, each trainee needs to be assigned a named in-school mentor in the trainee's placement school who can support the student's progress to achieve the iQTS qualification. UWE Bristol will liaise with the applicant and the school to ensure this, and mentors will receive full training.

Selection process

Applicants who meet the entry criteria will be invited to an online interview, which will include some tasks.

A general interview for primary and subject interview for secondary will be conducted. Additionally, each applicant will be required to give a short presentation - full details will be provided on invitation to interview. A subject knowledge audit linking to the English National Curriculum in the chosen secondary subject or primary phase will be required prior to the interview and used to form a discussion during the interview process.

Additional criteria

• All schools will be required to provide information about the safeguarding clearance required in that education system/context, and evidence that the applicant has achieved this in the appropriate timeframe for the course. This must include a check to ensure the trainee has not been disqualified from a childcare role.
• If the applicant has recently been resident in the UK, UWE Bristol will require a clear Enhanced DBS Disclosure including check of children's barred list. These checks would also be carried out prior to working in the UK.
• Criminal records checks overseas. If you have lived, studied or worked overseas for five months or more in the last five years you'll need to provide a Certificate of Good Conduct from the country of residence will be required even if you are a UK applicant.
• Two satisfactory references received directly from the referees, relating to work with children, including one from the host school.
• Assurance that the applicant has the health and physical capacity to train to teach. Applicants will be required to complete a fitness questionnaire.

All information will be treated in confidence.

Standards and requirements

Our PGCE courses have been designed to be compliant with the latest relevant Initial Teacher Training standards and requirements.

Deferrals

We do not accept deferrals for this course.

Due to a high level of placement-based learning and working with children, all applicants should have an effective command of the English language and be able to use it appropriately, accurately, and fluently in a school setting.

To demonstrate proficiency in the English language, International and EU applicants are required to have a minimum overall IELTS (Academic) score of 6.5, with at least 6.0 in each component (or approved equivalent*).