PGCE Primary
Why choose this course?
- We were delighted to receive 'Outstanding' in our most recent Ofsted inspection and were in the top ten for primary education teacher training in the prestigious Good Teacher Training Guide 2011.
- At the end of the course you will receive 60 credits towards a masters degree, such as our MA Education.
- We're one of the major providers in the East Midlands for Initial Teacher Education with opportunities to extend and develop your role as a teacher in today's society.
- Our team of tutors have a strong national and international reputation for the quality of their training and research.
- You will be taught in our Kirtley Building, which has specialist teacher training facilities.
Fact file
Start date: September
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 two days attendance. The timing of those two days (equivalent) and of school placements relates closely to the timetable followed by full time students which will be finalised by July 2013. 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
About this course
This course will give you Qualified Teacher Status (QTS) and will prepare you fully for the practical demands of teaching, including the teaching of all National Curriculum subjects. Depending on your preference and prior experience, you can choose to specialise in teaching Early Years (3–7 year olds), 5–11 year olds, or Later Years (7–11 year olds, with a possible French specialism for suitable applicants).
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.
What you will cover
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.
Entry requirements
You must have a good UK Honours degree, 2:1 or above (preferable), plus grade C or above in GCSE Mathematics, English Language and a Science (we can't accept the OCR National Science qualification instead of the GCSE in Science). You need to have already gained the required GCSE grades when you apply.
Demand for places on the course is very high, so you must also:
- be able to communicate clearly and in spoken and written English, with a good understanding of correct grammar.
- meet the Secretary of State's requirements for physical and mental fitness to teach.
- achieve clearance from the Criminal Records Bureau at the start of the course. You must not have previously been excluded from teaching or working with children
- have recent experience of working with children in an English primary school or nursery (on a paid or voluntary basis)
- meet all the TDA entry requirements for Initial Teacher Education courses including suitability and fitness to teach checks.
- a Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) is required at the point of accepting a place at the University. The Disclosure and Barring Service was established when the Criminal Records Bureau (CRB) and Independent Safeguarding Authority (ISA) merged in 2012 and will now provide the criminal records checking service for this programme.
You will specialise in Early Years (Early Years Foundation Stage and Key Stage 1 and 2, age 5-11) or Later Years. You must demonstrate engagement with the relevant Key Stages prior to application.
It should be possible for a small number of trainees to specialise in the teaching of French at primary school level. While these people will also be generalist primary teachers, they will be important in supporting the national drive to include modern foreign languages in the primary curriculum. If you would like to follow this Enhanced Subject Specialism, you must have French to A level standard (Grade C or above) or equivalent.
We value applications from students with a range of talents, experiences and backgrounds, but only UK residents are entitled to funding.
How to apply
You must apply for this course through GTTR - visit www.gttr.ac.uk for details.
Fees and finance
This is a premium course.
UK/EU students
- Full time: £9,000 (each year)
For September 2013, DfE (Department for Education) 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 £4,000.
*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.
How you will learn
You will have lots of opportunities to practise your teaching skills, with the support of fellow trainees, and you will engage with two assessed teaching placements to provide you with the experience you need. Throughout the placements you will be supported by our ‘outstanding’ trained school mentors and link tutors, and will be provided with a range of experiences in a variety of school settings.
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
How you're assessed
Your professional progress towards the Teachers’ Standards will be assessed in school by your trained mentors. In university, your
academic work will be assessed using a variety of strategies including essays, subject knowledge audits, presentations, posters and viva voces.
Careers and employability
Upon completing this course you will have gained Qualified Teacher Status (QTS). By choosing teaching as a career you will have chosen an important and satisfying profession. When you have completed this course you will have gained 60 credits at masters level. You would then have the option to fast track to stage two of a masters degree, quickly progressing your professional development.
What our students say
Adrian Patmore, current student
"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."
Jo Stringer, 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."
PGCE Trainee
"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."
Leanne Gotheridge, recent graduate
"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."
