PGCE Primary

Start date: September (UK and EU students only)

Course length: Full time: one year (with the possibility of study up to three years for those holding a 'flexible' place). Our Primary PGCE Flexible Route allows students on any of the phase pathways (3-7, 5-11 or 7-11) to complete approximately half their modules in Year 1 and half in Year 2, with one assessed placement in each year. For at least 12 weeks in each year (during induction and school placements) 'flexible' students are required to attend full time. During the remainder of the years, standard university weeks will demand the equivalent of 2 days attendance. The timing of those 2 days (equivalent) and of school placements relates closely to the timetable followed by full time students which will be finalised by July 2012. Applicants are not required to express interest in our Flexible Route until and unless they are invited to interview. You will complete a training plan, which outlines the length and content of your programme (in most cases this will cover the full range of modules). If you take the flexible route, you will be able to tailor your programme within the opportunities offered at the University.

Campus: Kedleston Road site, Derby Campus

You're on the threshold of making one of the most exciting decisions of your life - to teach! Studying our PGCE Primary will prepare you for Qualified Teacher Status (QTS) allowing you to move straight into a teaching career once you've graduated. You will be trained to teach all the subjects in the primary curriculum, including the core and foundation subjects.

Depending on your preference and prior experience, you can choose to specialise in either the 3-7 or 5-11 age range or the 7-11 age range with French. To fit your studies around your other commitments, you can choose our 'flexible' route which can be completed between two and three years. This means you can develop a personalised training plan which we'll put together with you, to fit study around your needs and our teaching schedule.

School experience is a key element of the PGCE course and we work closely with our partnership schools in the East Midlands to provide you with effective and practical experience. On the course you will go on two main teaching placements where you'll be supported by our outstanding trained school mentors and link tutors.

Our course aims to be intellectually challenging whilst fully preparing you for the practical demands of teaching. It takes full account of current national developments in education and the Primary National Strategy. You'll be taught by a team of tutors who have a good national and international reputation for the quality of their training and research.

You'll study the following modules:

• Two Learning and Teaching modules (which will give you 40 credits at Masters level)
• Core Subjects module (incorporating Mathematics, English and ICT)
• Foundation Subjects module (covering Science, History, Geography and Art)
• Two Reflective Teaching modules (school-based)
• Enhanced Placement Opportunity module (this allows you to experience different educational settings such as a Special Educational Needs School).
• Enhanced Specialist Subject (20 credits at level 7)

If you choose to take the 7-11 French route, then you will focus on French in your Enhanced Specialist Module. Your enhanced placement will take place at a secondary school in which language teaching is a specialism.

We aim to promote your understanding of the nature and theories of learning as well as of child development. At the same time, we will challenge you to become a creative classroom practitioner in all subject areas and give you the skills to respond positively to the wide range of learning needs of the children you teach.

Becoming a successful teacher

Key to becoming a successful teacher is secure subject knowledge. We will support and develop your abilities and confidence in your area of your practice, across all primary curriculum subjects and within your teaching. University sessions are highly interactive, intellectually stimulating and professionally supportive, with regular seminars, tutorials and workshops as well as more traditional lectures. You will be expected to prepare thoroughly for all sessions in order to be able to engage fully and to maximise the benefits you gain from sessions.

What will I do?

You will have lots of opportunities to practise your teaching skills with the support of fellow trainees through presentations and other teaching activities. Assessments are spread across the course and focus on practical, professional and academic competences. Through them, you'll demonstrate the successful development of both your acacdemic and professional skills.

What are the modules?

You'll complete two reflective teaching modules. Whilst on your two school experiences (20 weeks in total) and with the support of your mentor and link tutor, you'll progress towards Qualified Teacher Status. 'School Experience 1' allows you to observe experienced practitioners in the classroom, to teach alongside your mentor and to begin to take responsibility for the class as a whole. You will practice the skills of planning, delivery and assessment that you'll cover in your university-based training. At the same time, you will gain the wider professional skills demanded of a teacher such as dealing with parents, contributing to after-school activities and planning school trips.

For 'School Experience 2' you will be placed at a different school or setting and will be given the opportunity to work with a different age group of children. At first, you will be given time to observe other teachers and to get to know your class. You can expect to move more quickly on to taking fuller responsibility for the class. All placements are organised by our Partnership Office which works closely with over 300 schools.

In order to successfully achieve Qualified Teacher Status, you will need to pass all modules of the PGCE course and the Teacher Developmemt Agency's (TDA) Skills Tests for Mathematics, English and ICT.

Full time UK/EU students

• This is a premium course and will cost £9,000 per year

For September 2012, TDA bursaries are to be re-introduced for all Primary PGCE programmes. Successful applicants with First class honours degrees will qualify for £9,000 whilst those with a 2.1 degree classification will be entitled to £5,000.

*These fees apply if you're starting this course between September 2013 and August 2014. We recommend you check fee details with us though, as they can change. Costs can increase each year.

Possible routes through the PGCE course:

• PGCE 3-7 (Early Years Foundation Stage and KS1)
• PGCE 5-11 (KS1 and 2)
• PGCE 3-7 (Early Years Foundation Stage and KS1) Flexible
• PGCE 5-11 (KS1 and 2) Flexible
• PGCE 7-11 (KS1 and 2 with French) Flexible

Lectures, tutorials, seminars, school placements, e-learning and independent study.

How you're assessed

• Minimum of 20 weeks in total in different schools.
• Two placements organised by the University (according to the age range for the training).
• Each placement a new school, in a different key stage.

By choosing teaching as a career, you'll have chosen an important and satisfying profession as well as a challenging and rewarding journey through life. Having a PGCE qualification remains highly respected and 97% of our trainees are successfully appointed to teaching posts six months after graduating. We also have strong links with several local authorities, giving a wide range of opportunities for both newly qualified and more experienced teachers.

During your PGCE you'll complete elements which are assessed at postgraduate level so your PGCE can contribute directly to a masters degree such as our MA Education course. This means that you can fast track to stage two of a Masters degree, allowing you to quickly progress your professional development and further your educational career.

Recent graduate Leanne Gotheridge comments about the course:
"The PGCE Primary course at Derby is fantastic! There are so many opportunities to widen your knowledge and experience of teaching here. The staff are extremely supportive in the experience, and helped me to realise and reach my full potential."

"I really enjoy the challenges that this course brings. It has helped me to develop my confidence and I have made lots of great friends."
Adrian Patmore, current student

"I felt nervous about giving up my job of the last seven years, but I needed a new challenge. This course certainly provides that. It is hard work but ultimately, very rewarding."
Jo Stringer, current student

"The commitment shown by the lecturers really gives you the support and motivation you need to get through."
PGCE Trainee

"When I actually came to Derby, they gave you the confidence to tackle areas you might not have thought were your best, like doing presentations to groups or working in teams - all the kinds of things you will use in teaching."
PGCE Trainee