PGCE Primary
Fees |
Course length |
Entry requirements
Why choose this course?
- Are you keen to teach?
- Do you enjoy working with young children?
- Do you want to make a difference to children's lives?
- Are you looking for a satisfying career in education?
- Are you ready for a challenge?
- Would you like to gain 60 credits towards a masters?
We have achieved 'Outstanding' from the recent Ofsted reports for our PGCE course so you can ensure you'll receive an excellent teaching experience.
About the course
The PGCE programme will prepare you for the award of Qualified Teacher status (QTS). You'll be trained to teach all the subjects in the primary curriculum, including the core and foundation subjects.
The Children's Workforce Development Council (CWDC) have confirmed that our PGCE qualification can be counted in the qualified staff ratio at level 6 if gained in the Foundation Stage or Key Stage One.
Depending on your preference and prior experience, you may choose to specialise in either the 3-7 or 5-11 age range or the 5-11 age range with French. If you would prefer to complete over two or three years rather than the usual one year, you can apply to follow your chosen route 'flexibly'. Our 'flexible' provision means you can develop a personalised training plan which provides opportunities for different patterns of study and attendance.
Here at Derby, we work closely and successfully with our Partnership Schools. Throughout your two teaching placements you'll be supported by trained school mentors and link tutors.
Our course aims to be intellectually challenging as well as completely preparing you for the practical demands of teaching. It takes full account of current national developments in education and the Primary National Strategy.
Our team of tutors enjoy a good national and international reputation for the quality of their training and research.
Find out more about what subjects and modules you'll be studying...
You'll study the following modules:
- Two Learning and Teaching modules (which will give you 60 credits at Masters level)
- Core Subjects module (incorporating mathematics, English and science)
- Foundation Subjects module (covering history, geography, art etc)
- Two Reflective Teaching modules (school-based)
- Enhanced Placement Opportunity module (this allows you to focus on an area of particular interest to you).
Those following the 5-11 French route will complete an additional French module and will spend four weeks in France (currently Corsica) in place of the Enhanced Placement Opportunity module.
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.
Key to becoming a successful teacher is secure subject knowledge. The programme will support and develop your abilities and confidence in this area of your practice, across all primary curriculum subjects and within the context of your teaching. University sessions are highly interactive, intellectually stimulating and professionally supportive, comprising 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 derive from sessions.
You will have lots of opportunity to practise and hone your teaching skills with the support of fellow trainees through presentations and other teaching activities. Assessments are spread across the programme and focus on practical, professional and academic competences. Through them, you will demonstrate the successful development of both your academic and professional skills.
The university-based modules are complemented by two reflective teaching modules. Whilst on your two school experiences (20 weeks in total) and with the support of your mentor and University Link Tutor, you will demonstrate your progress towards the Standards for Qualified Teacher Status. School Experience One allows you to observe experienced practitioners in the classroom, to team teach with your mentor and to begin to take responsibility for the class as a whole. You will put into practise skills of planning, delivery and assessment covered 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 Two 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, however, 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 programme and the Teacher Development Agency's (TDA) Skills Tests for mathematics, English and science.
Your career
A PGCE qualification remains a highly respected qualification and is a recognised passport into primary teaching. The majority of trainees completing our programme are successfully appointed to teaching posts. Many move on quickly to become subject coordinators and Advanced Skills Teachers. The University has strong links with several local authorities, giving a wide range of opportunities for both newly qualified and more experienced teachers.
We have a thriving MEd Continuing Professional Development programme which attracts many PGCE trainees. Our programme incorporates elements assessed at Level seven which, for those seeking to develop their qualifications further in the future, will contribute directly to a Master's diploma or degree.
What our students say
"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
How you'll learn
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 5-11 (KS1 and 2 with French) Flexible (NB: French cannot be dropped)
Lectures, tutorials, seminars, school placements, e-learning and independent study.
How you're assessed
Minimum of 18 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.
Anything else?
Programme commences July 2009 (pre-induction).
Applications should be made through the Graduate Teacher Training Registry (GTTR). Please see www.gttr.ac.uk for further information.
GTTR Course codes
- X110 (Primary 3-7)
- X171 (Primary 5-11)
- XR11 (Primary 5-11 with French)
Fees*
UK/EU students
- Full time: £3,290 (each year)
*These fees apply if you're starting this course between September 2010 and August 2011. We recommend you check fee details with us though, as they can change. Costs can increase each year and there may be extra costs eg for exams, trips or special modules.
Course length
Full time: 1 year (with the possibility of study up to 3 years for those holding a 'flexible' place).
You'll 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. To discuss the possible flexibilities of your programme, please contact the Programme Leader.
Entry requirements
You must apply for this course through GTTR - visit www.gttr.ac.uk for details. You must have a ...
You must apply for this course through GTTR - visit www.gttr.ac.uk for details.
You must have a good UK Honours degree, 2:1 or above (preferable), plus grade C or above in GCSE Mathematics, English and Science (we can't accept the OCR National Science qualification instead of GCSE 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 a 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.
You'll specialise in Early Years (Early Years Foundation Stage and Key Stage 1) or Later Years (Key Stages 1 and 2). You must demonstrate engagement with the relevant Key Stages prior to application. Final placements will normally be in Key Stage 1 and Key Stage 2.
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 specialism, you must have French to A level standard (Grade D or above) or equivalent. There will be a four-week placement in France as part of the course.
We value applications from students with a range of talents, experiences and backgrounds, but only UK residents are entitled to funding.
Standard entry requirements
More about staff, careers, the department...
