Primary Education

Structure

The PGDE programme consists of four compulsory courses of study: two academic courses and two school experience courses.

• Learning and Teaching in Schools: Beginning to Teach
• Learning and Teaching in Schools: The Developing Professional
• School Experience 1
• School Experience 2

Learning and Teaching in Schools: Beginning to Teach will provide opportunities to focus on learning and learners and beginning as a teacher whilst Learning and Teaching in Schools: The Developing Professional will provide opportunities for students to gain a wider and deeper knowledge and understanding of professional issues and developments relevant to the teaching profession in order to support achievement of all aspects of the Standard for Initial Teacher Education (SITE) as required before entry to the teaching profession as Induction Year Teachers.

The School Experience courses are designed to extend classroom experience, in order to achieve SITE. School experience placements are arranged in close partnership with Local Authorities and will usually take place in two different schools. Students on the PGDE programme may be required to travel outwith the immediate Aberdeen area for school placements.

The School experience placements give students the opportunity to contextualise and make links between the academic course inputs and their developing practice.

Assessment

There are two 5000-word assignments within this programme. The first focuses on how children/young people learn and the role of the teacher in the planning and provision of suitable learning opportunities. The second focuses on developing understanding of becoming an inclusive practitioner.

A Further Professional Study element is included in the course with the principal aim of enhancing students’ development in a particular area.

Duration

1 year, full-time.