PGCE Music (11-18)

Music is a vital and dynamic aspect of a school curriculum and is an important human practice throughout the world. The 11-18 PGCE Music course prepares students to teach this challenging and fulfilling subject in a way which reflects the essence of music itself, i.e. a unique practical and creative discipline in which we can understand and express our ideas. The course allows student teachers to develop their musicianship in the context of the classroom and thus empower young people to use music as part of their lives. The aims of the course are: to challenge assumptions about the nature of music and music education to analyse the various theories and practices of music education through active learning to place listening, composing and performing, in a wide range of styles and genres, at the centre of the student teacher’s learning experience to experience working alongside teachers in music departments to give access to the latest teaching and learning resources to develop the student teacher as a reflective and enthusiastic practitioner to develop skills which complement the student teacher’s existing expertise to help student teachers develop a well-principled philosophy of music education which they are able to use in the profession as the basis of their practice. The course is organised in partnership with schools in Kent and beyond. We use the expertise of teachers in partnership schools and tutors in University sessions todevelop the knowledge, skills and understanding required for teaching music to young people, across the full secondary age and ability range.