• Introduction
• PGCE Secondary subjects
• Support
• Course structure
• Course content

Introduction

There are approximately 300 students on the programme, studying across the ten different subject courses. Please use the links below to read more about the subject courses offered.

This programme is offered in partnership with local schools and combines all the practical advantages of school-based work with the expertise and experience of a team of university staff who specialise in initial teacher training.

School and university staff have developed the course together to capitalise on the strengths which each can bring to the partnership.

As we work with a number of schools within the West Midlands, students have the opportunity of working with people from a wide range of social and cultural backgrounds, across the age and ability range.

There may be an opportunity for students who have a knowledge of French, equivalent to 'A' level, to spend four weeks in a French school (in Versailles) as part of their PGCE course.

PGCE Secondary subjects 

Information on subject specialist work can be found on the following pages:

• English (recruiting for 2009/10)
• Geography (recruiting for 2009/10)
• History and Citizenship (recruiting for 2009/10)
• Mathematics (recruiting for 2009/10)
• Mathematics (2 year) (recruiting for 2009/10)
• Modern Foreign Languages (recruiting for 2009/10)
• Physical Education (recruiting for 2009/10)
• Religious Education (recruiting for 2009/10)
• Science - Biology (recruiting for 2009/10)
• Science - Chemistry (recruiting for 2009/10)
• Science - Physics (recruiting for 2009/10)

Support

The Secondary PGCE has a well-established system for offering students support through trained subject mentors in schools. These mentors are themselves supported by a Senior Mentor and are in close contact with your university-based tutor. Your tutor will work closely with the mentor to ensure that you receive the most appropriate training and guidance for your development as a beginning teacher.

In addition schools, tutors and students are each served by an efficient administrative and managerial team within the university. In this way your academic and professional needs are well catered for during the PGCE course.

Course structure

The PGCE Secondary course is a postgraduate 36 week modular programme, of which 24 weeks will be spent in school.

The school experience includes block placements in two different schools.

Below is the outline of the structure for a typical year.

Autumn Term

• One week observation in a primary or middle school close to your home or in Birmingham
• Four weeks university-based work which will include introductory work in schools
• One week in school to familiarise yourself ready for block placement
• One week of university-based work
• Seven weeks of block placement

Spring Term

• Four weeks of university-based work
• One week in your second school to familiarise yourself ready for second block placement
• One week of university-based work
• Six weeks of block placement

Summer Term

• Six weeks of block placement
• One week university-based work
• Two weeks of school-based work
• One week university-based work

Course content

Teaching Subject Specialisms

During the university-based elements of the course you will study a main teaching subject from the following:

English; Geography; History; Mathematics; Modern Foreign Languages (French, German, Spanish with French); Physical Education; Religious Education; Science (Biology, Chemistry, Physics).

All subject-based work aims to equip you with a high level of competence in teaching the secondary age range, to give you the confidence and ability to work with pupils from widely differing cultural backgrounds, and to take up the challenge of working with pupils of varying ages, abilities, interests and needs.

All students must study ICT and understand Key Stage 3 literacy and numeracy strategies as well as the citizenship curriculum.

A typical university based week would include two half days main subject work, one half day main subject work in school and one half day Whole School Issues.

Whole School Issues

The Whole School Issues programme covers specific aspects of education and schools from a broad perspective.

The themes for this programme include:

• Equal Opportunities
• Pupils with Special Educational Needs
• Assessment
• Pastoral Care & Citizenship
• School Based Work

School based work involves a partnership with a wide variety of schools within the West Midlands conurbation, most of which are easily reached by public transport. Students will have the opportunity to work with pupils from a wide range of social and cultural backgrounds across the age and ability range.

Each subject department has a mentor, trained at the university, who oversees the student's progress. A senior mentor is responsible for all students in the school and organises Whole School Issues sessions during the placement.