PGCE Primary

Institution Nottingham Trent University
Method At the institution
Location Nottingham
Type Postgraduate
Course fee By request

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PGCE Primary

Objectives The course is designed to provide the knowledge and skills needed to meet the demands of a first teaching post in the primary age range (5 to 11 years). You will focus on primary education across both key stages. It is a TDA requirement that trainees are competent to teach in two key stages; this is essential to gain an overview of development and progression throughout the complete primary age phase. However, there may be an opportunity to place an increased emphasis on either Key Stage 1 (5 to 7 years) or Key Stage 2 (7 to 11 years) during your school based training.
Entry requirements Entry requirements * A relevant honours degree, preferably minimum 2:1, which can be related to the Primary National Curriculum. * GCSE/O-level or equivalent in English, Maths and Science. These should have been gained prior to application. * Applicants are expected to have spent some time in a primary school prior to application. A minimum period of around two weeks is sufficient but more and varied experience is encouraged. * You will also need to undergo a Criminal Records Bureau (CRB) check
Academic title PGCE Primary
Course description PGCE Primary

Course content
A distinctive feature of our programme is the curriculum breadth we offer.

We offer modules in:

    * Teaching Primary English
    * Teaching Primary Mathematics
    * Teaching Primary Science
    * Teaching the Wider Curriculum
      The wider curriculum module encompasses an introduction to the full range of foundation subjects along with RE and ICT. We also offer an introduction to the teaching of primary modern foreign languages for all trainees.
    * Applied studies in Education
      This module provides an opportunity to engage critically with a wide range of educational issues, themes and thinking, as well as a very practically oriented preparation for periods of school based training.
      As part of this module all trainees develop their subject specialism for the primary classroom in preparation for the future responsibility of subject leadership.

Programme provision supports trainees in:

    * developing an understanding of the primary curriculum
      you will develop your subject knowledge as well as your understanding of curriculum purposes and progression;
      you will learn how to plan and resource your teaching in ways that engage and inspire young learners
    * developing practical teaching and organisational skills
      you will learn how to plan, teach and assess effectively, and how to support progression in learning, according to the diversity of needs and abilities of all pupils;
      you will learn to create an effective teaching environment that promotes and supports children’s learning;
    * developing knowledge and understanding of the professional requirements for teachers along with an appreciation of the need for continued professional development throughout their career

Assessment
Assessment is by assignment. School based training is also assessed.

Resources and facilities
Facilities include a range of well-equipped learning environments on the Clifton campus. The Ada Byron King building has state-of-the-art teaching rooms and ample work stations.

Study routes
1-year full-time. This course runs for 38 weeks from September to July. Trainees should expect to be on campus Monday to Friday from 9am to 5pm. There are no half terms.

Special benefits
School based training is the central element of the course, with about 60% of the time spent in local primary schools.

There are three block periods of school based training – usually consisting of an extended serial placement during the autumn term, a 6 week period at the beginning of the spring term and an 8 week block at the end of the course.

The school based training may be in city centre, suburban or semi-rural locations. This variety provides opportunities for a wide range of teaching experiences and lays a good foundation for your professional development.

Course members are encouraged to develop increasing levels of self-reliance, independence, enterprise and capability to manage their own learning.

Accreditation
On completion of the course successful trainees will be recommended for QTS (Qualified Teacher Status). This is awarded by the DfES. Before this can be awarded trainees need to pass skills tests in literacy, numeracy and ICT. These tests are administered by the Training Development Agency (TDA) at designated test centres. To find out about the skills tests visit the TDA website.

Interview
Our basis for selecting candidates for interview is the GTTR application form. The selection procedure will include the following elements:

    * A group task – you will be asked to discuss an issue, reach a decision and make a group presentation.
    * Individual interview – you will be asked questions in relation to the selection criteria and information provided on your application form. Each candidate is also expected to talk informally with the interviewer about an educational issue. The choice of issue is entirely up to individual candidates and should last no more than 5 minutes.
    * A written task – you will be asked to write about an issue relating to teaching and learning.

Candidates will be asked to nominate a subject strength, which relates to the National Curriculum within the primary school. Interviews will take between three to four hours.

Qualifications achievable
From September 2007 the current award of PGCE is being redefined nationally and will be retitled the Professional Graduate (rather than Postgraduate) Certificate in Education. Students will have the opportunity to take some modules at Masters level, successful completion of which entitles them to an alternative award of Postgraduate Certificate in Education, along with fast-track entry onto Masters courses offered by NTU and other universities.