Why choose this course?
If you have a passion for the English language and the exploration of ideas through all forms of written and verbal media, and wish to communicate your enthusiasm with young people, this course will prepare you to do this effectively. The aim of the course is to develop reflective teachers who care about pupils’ language development and who understand how to ensure progression in pupils’ written, reading, and oral skills so that they develop into skilled and critical readers, writers, and speakers. You will be encouraged to develop effective and inspirational practical teaching skills underpinned by a sound grasp of theoretical concepts. As a trainee you will learn how to teach English Language and Literature to pupils in the 11–16 age range within the secondary age phase, with additional primary and post-16 enhancements. You will learn how to develop skills, knowledge and understanding for teaching English Language and Literature through a combination of university-led and school-led training.
Our Postgraduate Certificate in Education (PGCE) in Secondary Education provides a high standard of training for those preparing to take up a teaching post in the secondary school sector. The course complies with the statutory guidance from the Department for Education for Initial Teacher Training courses.
The PGCE in Secondary Education is specifically designed to ensure that those who are successful will be recommended for the award of Qualified Teacher Status (QTS) – the professional award required by all those who wish to teach in a maintained school.
You may be eligible to study for a Subject Knowledge Enhancement course (SKE) in order to prepare you for the PGCE in Secondary Mathematics. If you are invited to interview, the subject tutor will discuss this with you.
Successful completion of the course will lead to recommendation for the award of Qualified Teacher Status (QTS), along with 60 credits at Master’s level.
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If you are successful, you will be recommended for the award of Qualified Teacher Status and you will be prepared to teach pupils in the 11–16 age range within the secondary age phase with primary and post-16 enhancements. You will also gain a Postgraduate Certificate in Education (PGCE) which includes 60 Master’s level credits.
You will also be given help to find your first post in school. The course will provide you with an excellent start to your teaching career as you experience teaching in two separate secondary schools with trained school-based tutors to aid your development. You will have the opportunity to help develop the teaching within this fast-developing subject and have a real impact on children’s education.
You will be enabled to become a critically reflective teacher with high levels of subject knowledge and a wide understanding of educational theory and practice.
You will also develop the professional skills required to achieve outstanding results in relation to student progress including lesson planning, assessment methods, data analysis, and communication.
What Ofsted says about our course (July 2021):
‘Trainees use their university-based learning and experiences in school well to shape their understanding of how to teach their subject. As a result, they are ready to take the first steps in their career.’
‘Leaders have constructed a coherent ITE curriculum that is well-designed around subjects. Trainees explore aspects of pedagogy and models of learning, engaging with up-to-date and relevant research. Subject tutors provide the necessary subject specificity to contextualise trainees’ learning. Alongside this, trainees are taught the practical knowledge needed to plan learning and manage a classroom environment.’
‘Trainees are taught about social disadvantage and inclusion. As a result of leaders' expertise in these areas, trainees are exposed to the social and cultural implications of educational disadvantage and the role of the teacher in helping to overcome these. This is a strength of the course.’
