The PGCE Science: Chemistry course is noted for the support that it provides, and the quality of the partnership between schools and the University. This high status extends into the early years of teaching, where demand for trainees from Birmingham is high, and trainees stay in the job for longer than average. The course tries to develop an understanding of issues and complexities which surround the teaching and learning of Science and Chemistry. We wish to develop you as a thinking teacher who can be aware of choices in how to teach Science and Chemistry and make informed decisions about how you work with learners.
Contact: Dr Allan Soares
Telephone Enquiries: 0121 414 4818
Email: a.b.soares@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 addresses the generic and specific requirements essential to becoming an effective teacher of science through workshops, seminars and practical teaching. We will help you become aware of issues relating to planning lessons, assessment, the difference between telling students information and teaching students, standard misconceptions students have about scientific ideas, how different approaches to teaching a topic can change the learning experience for students, how choice of resources and technology can change the sort of science with which students engage. Along the way we will, of course, introduce you to the National Curriculum and the National Science Strategy.
As science teachers are required to teach across the sciences at Key Stage 3 there is a 'science' component in addition to your subject specialism. Teaching the science content to PGCE students is not the primary aim of the course although the generic and specific requirements are addressed through various scientific phenomena. .
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 Science: Chemistry PGCE students and we have an excellent record of students gaining jobs at the end of the course. Many of our ex-PGCE Science: Chemistry students have been promoted to positions of responsibility, including Advanced Skills Teachers.
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 at least of 50% your degree to be Chemistry related and require a good A-level equivalent in a science other than Chemistry.
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. You can apply throughout the year although often the course becomes full well before summer.
Fax: +44 (0) 121 414 4865 | School e-mail: education@bham.ac.uk
