Primary with Qualified Teacher Status PGCE

This course is designed to help you become a creative classroom practitioner across all primary curriculum subjects, with the skills and confidence to respond positively to children’s wide-ranging learning needs. At the same time you will gain a deep understanding of child development and theories of learning.

As part of the course, you can choose to specialise by studying:

• PGCE 3-7 (Early Years Foundation Stage and Key Stage 1)
• PGCE 5-11 (Key Stages 1 and 2)
• PGCE 7-11 (Key Stage 2)

You will study modules such as:

• Professional Practice: Becoming a Teacher
• Professional Practice: Aiming for Excellence
• Professional Studies: Understanding Aspiration and Achievement
• Curriculum Studies: Principles of the Primary Curriculum
• Professional and Curriculum Enhancement - for this module, you will choose a subject such as Maths, English, Science, Wider Curriculum, PE, Inclusion or Primary Modern Foreign Languages

With the support of your mentor and link tutor, you will undertake two assessed school experiences as well as shorter placements, adding up to 24 weeks in total.

For 'Professional Practice: Becoming a Teacher' you will observe experienced practitioners in the classroom, teach alongside your mentor and begin to take responsibility for the class as a whole. You will put into practice the skills of planning, delivery and assessment that you cover in your University-based training. You will also gain the wider professional skills demanded of a teacher such as dealing with parents, contributing to after-school activities and planning school trips.

For 'Professional Practice: Aiming for Excellence' you will be placed at a different school or setting, with the opportunity to work with children from another age group. At first, you will be given time to observe other teachers and get to know your class. You can then expect to progress more quickly to taking fuller responsibility for the class.