Postgraduate Certificate in Education (PGCE) Primary 5-11 (with QTS)

Study modules

Compulsory modules

Introduction to Professional Learning (20 credits)

This gives you an introduction to practical theories of learning and curriculum before you begin your first experience of substantive teaching. You’ll develop your knowledge and understanding of pedagogy and its evidence base so that you’ll be ready to apply this to your own practical classroom skills.

Key Issues in Teaching and Learning (20 credits)

You’ll look at key issues, themes and debates in education. You’ll focus on a selection of issues that are relevant to your pathway/age phase, and you’ll have the option of reflecting on your own developing classroom practice. This will allow you to be better supported in entering your NQT year.

The potential issues and themes include:

• assessment
• behaviour for Learning
• SEND/Inclusion issues
• supporting learning with TAs
• socio-economic and cultural issues
• working with parents and carers.

Supporting Evidence-Informed Practice (20 credits)

You’ll focus on the role and importance of research in education, with the ultimate aim of improving your teaching and your student's learning. You’ll gain a grounding in issues and debates surrounding educational research. You’ll move on to undertake your own literature-based research project, choosing an area of education that fascinates you. Through this module, you’ll strengthen your research skills as well as build a deeper knowledge of your topic area.

Professional Studies

This is your chance to learn more about the full professional life of a teacher. You’ll examine issues and challenges related to:

• why and how schools work as they do
• why and how teachers teach as they do
• why and how children learn as they do.

The learning links with all your other modules, to help you explore the processes of planning, teaching and assessment. Your own experiences are important here as you develop your reflective practice. We aim to help you build the self-esteem and confidence you need to become a really effective teacher, able to meet children’s needs in imaginative and stimulating ways.

English

You’ll work on the knowledge and skills you need to teach language and literacy effectively. Reflecting on your own learning will be an important part of the process. You’ll explore topics like:

• your own self-awareness as a language user
• developing and assessing children’s communication skills in reading and writing
• learning about languages: how they work and the links between them
• talk for learning
• using media technologies in developing children’s language and literacy
• literature in the primary classroom
• using drama strategies in developing children’s language and literacy.

Mathematics

Here you’ll develop your knowledge, skills and confidence in mathematics. You’ll gain the grounding you need to help children progress and enjoy maths across the Foundation Stage and primary years. You’ll enhance your understanding with cross-curricular work linking mathematics with other subjects.

You’ll improve your own knowledge and confidence in mathematics and your understanding of numbers, algebra, geometry, measures and data handling, as well as exploring topics such as:

• applying mathematics across the curriculum
• understanding how children learn mathematics, and how to address their misconceptions
• the role of reasoning and communication in teaching, learning and doing mathematics
• developing creative, inspirational and challenging approaches to teaching mathematics across the attainment range.

Science

You’ll develop your knowledge, skills and confidence in science and understanding of the world. You’ll gain the knowledge and understanding you need to help children progress and enjoy science in the Foundation Stage and primary years. You’ll enhance your understanding with cross-curricular work that links science with other subjects.

We’ll focus on the importance of planning lessons that use purposeful, practical science to stimulate children’s higher-order thinking. And we’ll consider topics such as:

• the integral role of practical activities in early years and primary science
• the importance of pupil talk in developing their understanding of scientific concepts
• understanding pupils’ common misconceptions in science, and good ways to address these
• using ICT applications such as data logging and digital microscopes
• provision for SEND, Gifted and Talented and EAL pupils
• working safely in science.

Humanities

Here you’ll gain a foundation in the three humanity subjects: RE, geography and history. Practical workshop sessions and project-based work will help to build your confidence and enjoyment of these subjects. We’ll investigate topics like:

• national and local initiatives to support humanities teaching
• learning outside the classroom
• using the expertise of educational officers and tutors in a variety of venues
• embedding active citizenship, cultural diversity and cultural heritage
• using ICT effectively in the humanities
• cross-curricular approaches.

Arts

You’ll gain a grounding in the two arts subjects: art and music. You’ll take part in practical workshops, aimed at building your enjoyment of art and music and your confidence in teaching them. You’ll explore topics such as:

• aspects of learning outside the classroom
• using the expertise of educational officers and tutors in a variety of venues
• embedding global citizenship, cultural diversity and cultural heritage
• Introducing cross-curricular approaches
• the effective use of ICT in arts.

PE, Health and Wellbeing

You’ll draw on your own experiences and gain a grounding in Physical Education and Health and Wellbeing. Practical workshops and lectures will help you build your confidence and enjoyment of these aspects of the curriculum.

We’ll investigate topics like:

• national and local requirements for Physical Education
• local and national initiatives for Physical Education
• using the expertise of educational officers and tutors in outdoor venues
• develop an understanding of relevant cross-curricular links
• the effective use of ICT in PE

You’ll also have the voluntary optional residential visit to an outdoor centre in South Wales - cost details can be found in the additional costs section above.

Design and Computing

You’ll participate in practical and interactive workshops to develop your teaching of Design Technology. You’ll use a mix of technical learning skills and consider pedagogy. You’ll have the opportunity to attend a computing conference day and you will receive an extension computing reading list, to help assist you in using technology in the classroom environment.

You’ll explore:

• national and local syllabus requirements
• using the expertise of educational officers and tutors in a variety of venues
• the effective use of ICT
• cross-curricular approaches to the subject

School-based curriculum

Compulsory modules

School-based curriculum 1

This is the first of three main blocks of school-based training placements (SBT) that you’ll undertake. You’ll be based in one of the University’s partnership schools. You’ll engage in introductory activities based on the classroom environment, where you’ll consider how learning takes place.

Through this module, you’ll gain insight into the full professional life of a teacher. You’ll put into practice your skills of planning, teaching, maintaining behaviour and creating a suitable ethos for learning.

You’ll explore issues such as:

• diversity, inclusion, equal opportunity
• teachers’ professional duties and statutory frameworks, including safeguarding
• planning, teaching and assessment for children’s learning with an emphasis on Assessment for Learning (AFL)
• the school and classroom as an environment for learning
• class management and children’s behaviour.

School-based curriculum 2

In your second placement, you’ll develop activities based on the classroom environment, where you’ll consider how learning and assessment take place.

Through this module, you’ll discover more about the full professional life of a teacher. You’ll develop your skills of planning, teaching, maintaining behaviour and creating a suitable ethos for learning.

School-based curriculum 3

In your final placement, you’ll be delivering sustained teaching across the curriculum. You’ll take on the full role of the classroom teacher in preparation for your first teaching post.

You’ll be aiming to demonstrate good subject knowledge in all the primary curriculum subjects, and your ability to plan and teach great lessons for your age group. You’ll have a professional approach to your working relationship with colleagues, pupils, parents and carers.

Teaching is a career where you can make a real difference in children’s lives. And you’ll finish this course with the skills and confidence to become an outstanding primary teacher, ready to start your teaching career.

You’ll develop strong relationships with teachers and school leaders at multiple schools during your placements. And you’ll graduate with a solid professional network, that will help you secure your first teaching role.

Professional Accreditation

This course is accredited by the Teaching Regulation Agency to grant Qualified Teacher Status (QTS) in the UK. You will be provisionally registered with the Teaching Regulation Agency at the beginning of your course. Students who successfully complete the course will be recommended for QTS.

Please be aware that following the UK's departure from the European Union, QTS awarded by UK higher education institutions are not currently recognised in the EU.