PGCE Secondary Education Science with Biology

Course content

What will you study on the PGCE Secondary Education Science with Biology?

At the start of the course you will be shown how to audit your subject knowledge across the curriculum and you will develop an action plan to address gaps in subject knowledge. You will analyse research data and critically evaluate how research has contributed to the knowledge and understanding of how to teach your subject effectively.

For the major curriculum assignment you will develop original teaching resources and creative ideas in order to revise an existing scheme of learning in the placement school. You will be required to analyse the planning of a sequence of lessons, showing how they draw on reading and study to develop effective teaching and assessment in biology and how the school context affected your decisions.

What will you gain?

In addition to developing the knowledge and skills required to teach your chosen subject, you will be able to identify and evaluate effective strategies for assessing children's learning through formative and summative assessment strategies. You will critically evaluate the effectiveness of a wide range of resources and your own lesson plans. You will also understand the importance of literacy, numeracy and ICT in delivering an effective, all round curriculum. At the end of the course you will be able to provide evidence that you have developed the appropriate subject knowledge and pedagogy to meet the required teaching standards.

This module aims to prepare students during their first school experience. It develops their preparation skills and enables collaboration with their fellow students, subject mentors, and professional coordinating mentors. Students learn to address and meet the expectations specified by the statutory teaching standards. The school-based element of this module lasts for approximately 50 days.

This module encourages students to build on the experience gained in School Experience 1. It aims to provide an extended, individual school experience across the age ranges 11-16, 11-18 or 14-19. Students undertake 74 days of teaching across a six-month period, so that they can address the standards specified by the Teachers' Standards.

You can find more information about this course in the programme specification. Module and programme information is indicative and may be subject to change.