Secondary Teaching leading to Qualified Teacher Status (QTS) PGCE
ObjectivesKingston’s PGCE course in Secondary Teaching offers an intensive and well-supported year of training that will prepare you to teach children at Key Stage 3, Key Stage 4 and in the sixth form.
Academic titleSecondary Teaching leading to Qualified Teacher Status (QTS) PGCE
Course descriptionWhat will you study?
This is a very practical programme, and 24 weeks of the 36-week course are based in school. You will have assessed practice placements in at least two different schools, so you’ll get an opportunity to experience varied types of school. Mentors within the schools and/or your university tutors will offer support and guidance during the placements. Your university studies will focus on the teaching of your specialist subject, together with professional skills (eg planning work for pupils) that will help you become an effective teacher.
Course structure
Please note that this is an indicative list of modules and is not intended as a definitive list.
Specialist pathways
Business Education Specialist Pathway
The Business Education Specialist Pathway prepares you to teach business studies to the full secondary age and ability range. It helps you to develop your knowledge and understanding of:
the place of business studies within the secondary curriculum; and
GCSE and AS/A2 examination specifications.
You gain a practical introduction to teaching the subject. We examine a range of areas including:
-devising and implementing programmes of study, using a range of teaching styles and activities appropriate to the learning needs of pupils;
-management in the classroom;
-how and why we assess pupils in the subject, both formally and informally; and
-educational visits, case studies and styles of learning and teaching in a range of different environments.
There is a particular emphasis on the development of pupils' business understanding. You will explore:
-the link between business studies and citizenship; and
-the contribution of business studies to the development of literacy and numeracy.
-Special education needs and equal opportunities are integral elements of the programme. Throughout the course, you will also develop your subject knowledge for teaching.
Two-thirds of your time is spent working in schools. The year is divided into:
two weeks’ school-based work at the start of the course;
-a learning block where you spend three days per week at the University and two days per week in school looking at the teaching of your specialist subject. The main emphasis is on planning work for pupils, planning for good discipline/control and developing your skills as a teacher;
-a six-week block spent full-time in the school; after which
-the pattern is repeated at a second school.
Mathematics Specialist Pathway
The Mathematics Specialist Pathway has a very practical focus. It will enable you to teach:
-mathematics up to Key Stage 3
-mathematics to GCSE; and
-some aspects of A-level mathematics.
The course also aims to develop your professional skills to help you gain employment in a secondary school and continue with your professional development. It will provide you with a rigorous training in all aspects of being a secondary school teacher.
Two-thirds of your time is spent working in schools. The year is divided into:
-two weeks’ school-based work at the start of the course;
-a learning block where you spend three days per week at the University and two days per week in school looking at the teaching of your specialist subject. The main emphasis is on planning work for pupils, planning for good discipline/control and developing your skills as a teacher;
-a six-week block spent full-time in the school; after which
-the pattern is repeated at a second school.
Modern Languages Specialist Pathway
The Modern Languages Specialist Pathway prepares you to teach French, German or Spanish at Key Stage 3, Key Stage 4 and in the sixth form. The course also allows you to develop a second teaching language.
-We avoid a rigid syllabus so that we can respond to individual trainee and group needs. However, throughout the course we will:
-provide lectures and handouts with examples of classroom activities in all three languages;
-support your existing subject knowledge and offer opportunities to extend it;
-encourage you to analyse your classroom experiences and relate theory to practice; and
-help you build up collections of resources, forming a good foundation for your future professional work.
Two-thirds of your time is spent working in schools. The year is divided into:
-two weeks’ school-based work at the start of the course;
-a learning block where you spend three days per week at the University and two days per week in school looking at the teaching of your specialist subject. The main emphasis is on planning work for pupils, planning for good discipline/control and developing your skills as a teacher;
-a six-week block spent full-time in the school; after which
-the pattern is repeated at a second school.
Science Specialist Pathway
The Science Specialist Pathway has a very practical focus. It will enable you to teach:
-all three sciences (Biology, Chemistry and Physics) up to Key Stage 3;
-your science specialist subject to GCSE; and
-your specialist subject in the sixth form.
The course also aims to develop your professional skills to help you gain employment in a secondary school and continue with your professional development. It will provide you with a rigorous training in all aspects of being a secondary school teacher.
Two-thirds of your time is spent working in schools. The year is divided into:
-two weeks’ school-based work at the start of the course;
-a learning block where you spend three days per week at the University and two days per week in school looking at the teaching of your specialist subject. The main emphasis is on planning work for pupils, planning for good discipline/control and developing your skills as a teacher;
-a six-week block spent full-time in the school; after which
-the pattern is repeated at a second school.