PGCE Primary Education Institute of Education Ucas code: X100 Location Study mode Duration Start date Walsall Campus Full-time 1 year(s) 03/09/2018 Walsall Campus Full-time 1 year(s) 02/09/2019 Employability The PGCE in Primary Education leads to recommendation for QTS, and enables you to take up a qualified teaching post in a UK primary school and beyond. A national survey conducted by the Centre for Education and Employment Research has ranked Wolverhampton as the second most successful UK Higher Education Institute for graduate teacher training employment. 88% of primary NQTs in 2012 rated the overall quality of their training as very good or good. Following successful completion of this award, you could also use your 60 Master s level credits towards any of our Master s degrees in the field of education. Aims Our Postgraduate Certificate in Education (PGCE) in Primary Education provides a high standard of training for those preparing to take up a teaching post in the primary school sector. The course complies with the statutory guidance from the Department for Education for Initial Teacher Training courses. The PGCE in Primary Education is specifically designed to ensure that those who are successful will be recommended for the award of Qualified Teacher Status (QTS) - the professional award required by all those who wish to teach in a maintained school. You will focus on the teaching of the National Curriculum for primary schools and specialise in teaching Key Stages 1 and 2 whilst also having valuable opportunities to experience alternative educational settings such as Early Years, Secondary, SEND and transition. Successful completion of the course will lead to recommendation for the award of Qualified Teacher Status (QTS), along with 60 credits at Master s level. Entry requirements
To hold a first degree of a United Kingdom higher education institution or equivalent qualification. To have achieved a standard equivalent to a grade 4 (previously Grade C) in the GCSE examinations in English, Mathematics and Science (Biology, Chemistry, Physics or Combined Science). To have taken part in a rigorous selection process designed to assess your readiness to train to teach. To have taken and passed the professional skills tests prior to entry. Please note we do not accept GCSE Equivalent Tests from other institutions or organisations and be aware that not all equivalency tests are accepted, if you unsure please contact our Admissions Department admissions@wlv.ac.uk for clarification. You will be required to provide evidence of your original GCSE qualifications. You will be required to provide evidence of your original qualifications. Interview and Selection The interview process for PGCE Primary will be in two stages. First Stage: All applicants that are successful with their application will be invited to complete written audit. These will provide us with some information about your existing strengths as well as indicate any areas where you need to develop your knowledge and understanding. These are for formative assessment purposes only and are not used as part of the criteria in making a decision regarding an offer of a place on the course. Second Stage: You will engage in a face to face interview; this will provide an opportunity to share your knowledge of the Primary Classroom. Pre-entry Professional Skills Tests Applicants for initial teacher training (ITT) courses are required to have passed the professional skills tests in Literacy and Numeracy before the start of the course. Further information is available on the Department for Education website. You can register for the skills tests before applying for teacher training. You must take the tests after you have applied and you will need to provide evidence of your application when you attend the test centre. If you are offered a place following interview, you will have to pass both the Numeracy and Literacy skills tests as one of your conditions of acceptance before the course starts. We also offer support with the taking and passing of the professional skills tests. To find out more about the kind of support we offer, please follow this link to our webpage. Please note that:
Application forms should be able to demonstrate not only your depth of knowledge of the role of a Primary teacher but also your enthusiasm and commitment to a career in teaching. Once you have a Conditional Offer, you will need to complete a current enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check, a medical declaration clearance and a prohibition check prior to starting the course. We wish you every success with your application. Why Wolverhampton? Aspiration, Attitude, Achievement The University of Wolverhampton is one of the West Midlands largest providers of teacher education, with many of our graduates going on to work within the conurbation. Our tutors are all experienced teachers who have worked with our partnership and family schools for many years. We are proud of our long-standing tradition of training teachers of Early Years, Primary, Secondary and Post Compulsory Education. Access to free Professional Skills Test Support. High quality learning facilities, including well equipped teaching rooms, cutting edge learning spaces, lecture theatres and a social learning environment. A clear progression to Master s degree study, with opportunities to use PGCE credits to embark upon further study following successful completion of the course, including a fully tailored Newly Qualified Teacher module that can be completed during your induction year. Access to leading research in the field of Education that enables trainees to develop as reflective practitioners. What do Ofsted say? The University of Wolverhampton provision is particularly effective in developing highly professional teachers with the skills to reflect critically on the quality of their teaching in order to improve it. They are valued highly by the schools, colleges and other settings where they secure employment in the region. The university has an excellent reputation that enables it to build strong partnerships across the region to support high-quality teacher training and educational improvement. Employment rates in all phases are high, with many former trainees working in the region. Ofsted (2013), Initial Teacher Education Inspection Report, London: Ofsted Outcomes If you are successful you will be recommended for the award of Qualified Teacher Status and you will be prepared to teach pupils in the 3-11 age range within the primary age phase with
alternative education setting enhancement. You will also gain a Postgraduate Certificate in Education (PGCE) which includes 60 Master s level credits. You will also be given help to find your first post in school. The course will provide you with an excellent start to your teaching career as you experience teaching in two separate primary schools with trained school-based tutors to aid your development. You will have the opportunity to help develop the teaching within this fast-developing subject and have a real impact on children s education. You will be enabled to become a critically reflective teacher with high levels of subject knowledge and a wide understanding of educational theory and practice. You will also develop the professional skills required to achieve outstanding results in relation to student progress including lesson planning, assessment methods, data analysis, and communication. Accreditation The University will award students with the PGCE in Primary Education with 60 credits at Master s level. All students who have fully met the Teachers Standards as set by the Department for Education will be recommended for the award of QTS. The award of QTS is essential to teach in a maintained school in the United Kingdom and, upon gaining this award, the student becomes a qualified teacher. Course Content Over the one year course, you will undertake University-based learning at Walsall Campus, and you will spend at least 120 days divided between two different schools across the 3-11 age range within the Primary age phase. Your University tutor team is available to assist you throughout your training, supporting development of reflection. Every effort is made to ensure that high-quality school placements are provided to you, facilitating learning through observing, co-teaching and being observed by experienced teachers in the classroom. Teaching on the course comprises a variety of methodologies that will prepare you for life in the classroom including teacher-led discussions, pupil-led exploration, peer-group discovery, problem based learning, e-learning and the provision of individual targets. You will be assessed in a variety of ways including written assignments; classroom based investigation and other school-based activities, and appraisal of practical teaching skills.
Typical modules may include: An Introduction to Foundation Subjects and RE Developing Information and Communication Technology Skills for the Primary School Classroom Primary English Placements in Primary Schools Primary Maths Primary Professional Studies Primary Science 120 days (24 weeks) of the 36 week PGCE course will be spent in schools. You will undertake two assesed placements in two different schools. We try to take your geographical location into account when placing you in schools but our first concern is to ensure that you have a high quality school placement that can provide a range of experiences. Additional training will therefore take place in partner schools other than your 'attachment' schools. Support is available from your University Tutor throughout your training, plus from experienced teachers accredited by the University as school based tutors.