Recruitment is closed for 2008/09
The Physical Education one-year PGCE is considered to be a high quality course as identified by the Ofsted subject inspection. The course tries to develop a deep understanding of issues and complexities which surround the teaching and learning of Physical Education. We wish to develop you as a thinking teacher who can be aware of choices in how to teach Physical Education and make informed decisions about how you work with pupils.
Contact: Joanne Cliffe
Telephone Enquiries: 0121 414 4805
Email: j.e.cliffe@bham.ac.uk
The course is 36 weeks long of which 24 weeks are spent on placement in a partnership school. There are five phases: Preparation (university and some school-based activities); School Placement 1 (seven week placement in school); Development (university and one week in your second school); School Placement 2 (12 week block placement and some university days); Completion (two further weeks in second school and two weeks in university).
The course will aim to develop your teaching ability to ensure that you can facilitate learning in the pupils in your care. Our sessions will explore different aspects of teaching and will involve a balance of theoretical and practical activities. We will help you become aware of issues related to teaching including planning units of work and lessons, assessment strategies and teaching and learning styles. We will cover the six activity areas of the National Curriculum as well as the examination and vocational opportunities in Physical Education. We will support your development as a teacher and guide you to recognise and correct pupils' common misconceptions. We will introduce you to a range of equipment, resources and technology which you can utilise to maximise learning opportunities. We will spend some time on residential activities and where possible we will host nationally recognised teaching, leading or coaching courses.
Assessment
All students have to complete six modules, five of which require a written assignment. In addition all students complete two teaching placements and have to pass the TDA Standards for the Award of Qualified Teacher Status (QTS).
Progression
As postgraduate programmes, PGCE courses at this university are assessed at Masters level. On successful completion of the PGCE course you will be awarded 120 credits. For those students who successfully complete their induction year there is an opportunity to transfer credits to the MEd course which is awarded on completion of a 60 credit dissertation. (Transfer is subject to a satisfactory reference from your PGCE tutor and induction tutor).
Many local schools have a high regard for Birmingham Physical Education PGCE trainees and we have an excellent record of trainees gaining jobs upon completion of the course. Many of our ex-PGCE Physical Educationalists are now Directors of Sport, Heads of Departments or SSCO's in our partnership schools.
All applicants to the Secondary PGCE course must hold a degree or equivalent qualification in the area they wish to teach. In addition to this you will be required to have a grade C in GCSE mathematics and English, or equivalent. DfES require us to check original certificates; you therefore cannot start a PGCE course unless you already hold these qualifications.
We will expect the components of your degree to be at least 50% Physical Education or sport related. We recommend you hold at least three further qualifications in teaching, leading or coaching in activities which are relevant to the National Curriculum. Experience in state Physical Education departments is also recommended.
When to apply
Applications, via the GTTR (see How to Apply link on the left side), can be made from 1st October for the following September start. There is one intake per year.
Early application is recommended as the places are normally allocated by the end of January. You are advised to use an academic reference first to avoid delay and disappointment.
Fax: +44 (0) 121 414 4865 | School e-mail: education@bham.ac.uk
