If you have an interest in all aspects of science; but in particular the physical sciences associated with forces, energy, electrical effects and enjoy investigating this in a practical setting, then our physics course will suit you.
Our Postgraduate Certificate in Education (PGCE) in Secondary Education provides a high standard of training for those preparing to take up a teaching post in the secondary school sector. The course complies with the statutory guidance from the National College for Teaching and Leadership for Initial Teacher Training courses.
This course looks at the key ideas which underpin the teaching of science in schools today and the way children's understanding of concepts develops. As a trainee you will learn how to teach physics to pupils in the 11-16 age range within the secondary age phase, with additional primary and post-16 enhancements. You will learn how to develop skills, knowledge and understanding for teaching physics through a combination of university-led and school-led training.
This course is designed to meet the NCTL Teaching Standards which assesses all trainees working towards Qualified Teacher Status (QTS).
This postgraduate qualification offers 60 Masters-level credits that can be used towards our Masters degrees in the field of education.
This Physics route sits within an exciting range of Secondary Education subjects we offer within the Institute of Education.
SECONDARY EDUCATION Frequently Asked Questions
This is NOT an appropriate training course for applicants who wish to teach in Primary schools or Post Compulsory Education establishments.
Over the one year course, you will undertake learning at University and other educational settings. You will spend 120 days divided between at least two different school placements across the 11-16 age range within the Secondary age phase.
Your University tutor team is available to assist you throughout your training, supporting development of reflection. Every effort is made to ensure that high-quality school placements are provided to you, facilitating learning through observing, co-teaching and being observed by experienced teachers in the classroom.
All course modules provide examples of good practice in pedagogy which you will reflect upon as you develop your own teaching style - you will be expected to actively participate in your own learning and development.
Teaching on the course comprises a variety of methodologies that will prepare you for life in the classroom including teacher-led discussions, pupil-led exploration, peer-group discovery, problem based learning, e-learning and the provision of individual targets.
You will be assessed in a variety of ways including written assignments; classroom based investigation and other school-based activities, and appraisal of practical teaching skills.
Typical activities may include:
PGCE: Programme Structure
The PGCE course takes place over 180 days, and 120 of those days are spent in a school. You will have one school attachment during the autumn term and another (in a different school) in the spring/summer terms.
One of our strengths is that we have a vast network of high quality partnership schools in which to place you for the extended school placements. We ensure that you receive high quality school-based training by selecting schools with highly trained mentors and a proven track record of excellent trainee outcomes. We will also take other factors into consideration when placing you, such as your geographical location and transportation, to provide you with the best possible experience in a convenient and suitable setting.
The University-led elements of the course take place at our Walsall Campus. Our PGCE starts in early September and ends in June, and it is an intensive academic and professional training course that effectively prepares you for your first teaching post and beyond.
The course comprises of a two day professional placement in mixed subject groups, two extended school placements in your subject specialism and two periods of University-based teaching – September to October and January to February. The programme also includes a short Primary school placement and additional opportunities for a range of enhancements to your course; for example, experience of teaching pupils with special educational needs, teaching pupils at post-16 level or teaching pupils for whom English is an additional language.
Profile of a successful student
Russell completed his PGCE in secondary science last year at University of Wolverhampton, following a number of years working as an avionic technician working on aircraft with the RAF. He had always enjoyed all aspects right from his time at school largely due to the impact of a motivational physics teacher. He completed a part time degree with the Open University following on from a BTEC in Engineering. After a few visits to a secondary school he realised that following the example of the teachers that had inspired him was the way to feel true fulfilment in his career. The PGCE motivated him immediately, with time to discuss his needs and development while given the independence to feel a proper teacher. He learned a lot from the contrasting schools available to him during his PGCE and the committed colleagues who willingly offered advice and guidance during the programme.
Russell easily secured a post teaching in a school close to his home well before the end of the programme. He is now enjoying the challenge of motivating the next generation of scientists.
Our Postgraduate Certificate in Education (PGCE) in Secondary Education provides a high standard of training for those preparing to take up a teaching post in the secondary school sector. The course complies with the statutory guidance from the National College for Teaching and Leadership for Initial Teacher Training courses.
The aim of the Physical Education course is to develop thoughtful teachers who can respond effectively to the learning needs of young people in school by providing a balanced physical education programme. We also want to inspire a generation to become physically literate and active by providing well prepared, high quality physical education experiences for all students. As a trainee you will learn how to teach physical education to pupils in the 11-16 age range within the secondary age phase, with additional primary and post-16 enhancements. You will learn how to develop skills, knowledge and understanding for teaching physical education through a combination of university-led and school-led training.
This course is designed to meet the NCTL Teaching Standards which assesses all trainees working towards Qualified Teacher Status (QTS).
This postgraduate qualification offers 60 Masters-level credits that can be used towards our Masters degrees in the field of education.
This Physical Education route sits within an exciting range of Secondary Education subjects we offer within the Institute of Education.
SECONDARY EDUCATION Frequently Asked Questions
This is NOT an appropriate training course for applicants who wish to teach in Primary schools or Post Compulsory Education establishments.
Over the one year course, you will undertake learning at University and other educational settings. You will spend 120 days divided between at least two different school placements across the 11-16 age range within the Secondary age phase.
Your University tutor team is available to assist you throughout your training, supporting development of reflection. Every effort is made to ensure that high-quality school placements are provided to you, facilitating learning through observing, co-teaching and being observed by experienced teachers in the classroom.
All course modules provide examples of good practice in pedagogy which you will reflect upon as you develop your own teaching style - you will be expected to actively participate in your own learning and development.
Teaching on the course comprises a variety of methodologies that will prepare you for life in the classroom including teacher-led discussions, pupil-led exploration, peer-group discovery, problem based learning, e-learning and the provision of individual targets.
You will be assessed in a variety of ways including written assignments; classroom based investigation and other school-based activities, and appraisal of practical teaching skills.
Typical activities may include:
PGCE: Programme Structure
The PGCE course takes place over 180 days, and 120 of those days are spent in a school. You will have one school attachment during the autumn term and another (in a different school) in the spring/summer terms.
One of our strengths is that we have a vast network of high quality partnership schools in which to place you for the extended school placements. We ensure that you receive high quality school-based training by selecting schools with highly trained mentors and a proven track record of excellent trainee outcomes. We will also take other factors into consideration when placing you, such as your geographical location and transportation, to provide you with the best possible experience in a convenient and suitable setting.
The University-led elements of the course take place at our Walsall Campus. Our PGCE starts in early September and ends in June, and it is an intensive academic and professional training course that effectively prepares you for your first teaching post and beyond.
The course comprises of a two day professional placement in mixed subject groups, two extended school placements in your subject specialism and two periods of University-based teaching – September to October and January to February. The programme also includes a short Primary school placement and additional opportunities for a range of enhancements to your course; for example, experience of teaching pupils with special educational needs, teaching pupils at post-16 level or teaching pupils for whom English is an additional language.
Matt Winzor
Following on from his PGCE with us (during which he had to cope with a severe injury to his knee), Matthew began work as a Newly Qualified Teacher (NQT) at Deansfield Community School in Wolverhampton. In his NQT year, Matthew won a national award for being an 'Inspirational Educator' from the Company of Educators Charitable Trust.
Matthew has been instrumental in developing interest and participation in rugby at the school, including running after-school clubs for the sport. He has also promoted sports such as volleyball, fitness and cricket which had either not been played for a while, or not at all. Due to his commitment to out of school hours work, the school currently has between 50 and 70 boys per week attending sports clubs, playing fixtures and going on sports related trips.
The University will award students with the PGCE in Secondary Education with 60 credits at Master’s level.
All students who have fully met the Teachers’ Standards as set by the National College for Teaching & Leadership will be recommended for the award of Qualified Teacher Status (QTS).
The award of QTS is essential to teach in a maintained school in the United Kingdom and, upon gaining this award, the student becomes a qualified teacher.
The PGCE Primary programme is taught from one of the largest centres of teacher training the UK.
Students can opt to follow either the Foundation Phase route or Key Stage 2 route.
See the website https://www.cardiffmet.ac.uk/education/courses/Pages/Primary-PGCE.aspx
Please note that it is very likely that Standards for Qualified Teacher Status will change in June 2018 to be implemented for programmes starting from September 2018. This is a Welsh Government directive.
Please note: ITE courses in Wales are currently going through an accreditation process. Cardiff Metropolitan University hopes to continue to provide PGCE Primary and PGCE Secondary ITE courses. The outcome of the accreditation process will be known on 30 June 2018. If our accreditation is successful, our intention is to start receiving applications for both of the above courses in October 2018.
All applicants should meet the following essential criteria:
- GCSE grade B or above in English Language and mathematics and a grade C or above in science (or a standard equivalent) on entry to the programme. Students studying to teach in Welsh medium schools will also need a GCSE grade C or above in Welsh (first language).
- Applicants who have achieved a grade C or above in English Language and mathematics or equivalent on application will be considered for interview. Applicants will need to have made arrangements to resit the GCSEs or equivalent in order to obtain a B grade and indicate this on the UCAS Teacher Training application. If successful at interview, applicants will be offered a place subject to the B attainment. Please note, if you are taking a GCSE equivalent qualification, do not choose the option 'Equivalent' on the UTT application as this suggests you are applying to sit an internal test with Cardiff Met which we do not offer, you will need to select 'Other'.
- Good honours degree in an area related to primary education, of at least 2:2 classification; or any honours degree of at least 2:2 classification where an A level grade C or above (or equivalent) has been obtained in a primary curriculum subject area. Access to HE programmes are considered as an equivalent to A level within a relevant subject where 15 Merits have been achieved at Level 3. CACHE Level 3 Diplomas at grade C are also considered as well as Pearson BTEC (QCF)/OCR/NQF Level 3 Diplomas within Childcare at Merit Profile.
- Recent and relevant experience in a mainstream school across the primary age range. This should be for a minimum of ten days and taken place within the 12 months prior to attending interview. Evidence of this MUST be included on the UCAS Teacher Training application. Please include details within the work experience section of the UCAS Teacher Training form. Should applicants reach the interview stage, they will be required to bring evidence of the experience with them. This will be in the form of a reference from the head teacher of the school where the experience takes place, on headed paper and signed off by the head teacher.
- A strong personal statement indicating the applicant's potential to undertake the PGCE Primary Programme. The statement should demonstrate the breadth of knowledge and personal experience gained in primary education to date and how this has equipped the applicant to potentially be an effective primary teacher. A high standard of written English/Welsh is essential.
- The principal referee must be an academic who is most able to comment on the applicant's academic and vocational abilities. An academic reference for those applicants who have undertaken their degree more than 5 years in not required although one is preferred if this can be obtained. For those applicants whose HEI reference is more than 8 years old a reference from a more recent educational professional such as a head teacher is required. Should you have any queries regarding your reference, please contact Admissions.
- School Based Component
The School based component is undertaken in our excellent range of SEWCTET partnership schools and is an integral part of the programme. Students will spend a total of 120 days in school, which is predominantly arranged on a 4:1 split. This means that Monday – Thursday is spent on school placement whilst Friday is spent in university. This allows for clear links to be made between theory and practice and for the skills associated with being a reflective practitioner to be developed.
A key part of the development of the reflective practitioner is enquiry based learning to encourage student teachers to reflect critically on learners, their own practice, and to develop an independent, enquiring approach to their professional development. This is achieved through the completion of “Learning Packages” that focus on key educational priority aspects. The packages scaffold the student teacher in identifying their own areas of interest and to improve their practice in systematic ways, as they are more able to closely examine the issues and acquire newfound knowledge that is readily retained.
- University Based Sessions
The university-based sessions include either experience in the Areas of Learning outlined in the Foundation Phase or the subjects outlined in the National Curriculum orders. All university-based modules are studied at Master's level, allowing 60 credits to be achieved. The module ‘Learning and Teaching’ consists of three constituent parts:
- Learning & Teaching 1: Professional Studies
- Learning & Teaching 2: Literacy and Numeracy
- Learning & Teaching 3: Curriculum focus
All parts of the programme complement each other and specific links are made with the School Experience module. The module as a whole develops students’ conceptual understanding of fundamental principles of primary education and pedagogical aspects related specifically to Foundation Phase or Key Stage 2 (depending on route chosen).
- Time commitment required
The school-based element requires students to be in school for the normal working school day as well as additional time before and after school for preparation and meetings.
The Further Education and Teaching PGCE provides a formal teaching qualification for people working, or wishing to work, in the further education sector. This could include a college of further education, a sixth form college or an organisation such as a private training company.
The programme has an excellent reputation and in 2007 we became the first post-compulsory teacher education provider in the country to be awarded an Ofsted Grade 1.
The programme is delivered through a partnership stretching across East and West Sussex that includes full-time courses at the University of Brighton (Falmer campus) and Northbrook Metropolitan College, and part-time courses at Brighton Metropolitan College, Sussex Downs College in Lewes and Eastbourne and Sussex Coast College in Hastings.
If you already hold a degree, it is anticipated that you will graduate with a Professional Graduate Certificate in Education (PGCE), and there may also be an opportunity to gain masters-level credits. Applicants without a first degree will graduate with a Certificate in Education.
Students who opt for the part-time route must be working in the post-16 sector, and are normally expected to continue teaching for at least 50 hours per academic year for the duration of the course.
For the part-time in-service route you will be required to attend one half-day session per week during college term times, in addition to your regular teaching commitments. The full-time route is aimed at those who are not currently teaching and is a combination of taught sessions at the university and a teaching placement at an appropriate institution.
The full-time route is taught on our Falmer campus. The part-time route takes place at our partner colleges; Sussex Coast College Hastings, Sussex Downs College (Lewes and Eastbourne) and Brighton Metropolitan College.
The programme is delivered through seven modules on generic teaching and learning issues relevant to the post-compulsory sector, and reflecting the key areas identified in the new standards. It is endorsed under the Equipping our Teachers regulations 2007 originally managed by the Standards Verification UK (SVUK) but now under the control of the Institute for Learning (IfL). It meets the new Professional Standards for Teachers, Trainers and Tutors in the Lifelong Learning (post-compulsory) sector.
The course is part of the university's continuing professional development provision, designed to enhance the knowledge and skills of teachers and others involved in training or development, whether professional or voluntary.
Credit-rated routes to the various awards enable students to build from certificate-level through diploma, first degree, postgraduate certificate and postgraduate diploma to masters level.
Positions held by recent graduates include:
The teachers we train are:
This course supports those working in HE, Further Education and Skills Sector and broader educational settings to critically engage with their professional practice as part of their continuing development. The PGDip is a separate exit award and is also the first part of the MEd route. It is possible to either work towards achieving the PGDip in Professional Practice as an end goal or take it as the first part of the MEd. The PGDip is delivered at the Preston Campus. This course is an internal progression route for our PGCert LTHE and also for our well established teacher education partnership, which offers PGCE and Cert Ed awards in post-compulsory education. The overriding aim of the course is to support professional development as a reflective researcher within a collaborative research community made up of peers and tutors. It will build research confidence to enable progression to further research activity and reflection.
Assessment methods include: written assignments, presentation, academic poster, professional writing, dialogue, critical review and working with curriculum documents.
The course is delivered by experienced staff with relevant research or practice in FE and HE in the areas of teaching and learning, professional development and education. Members of staff also teach on the MEd and EdD.
The over-riding aim of the programme is to support professional development as a reflective researcher within a collaborative research community. It builds research confidence to enable progression to further research activity and reflection.
Further subsidiary aims of the programme are defined as:
Increasingly the PG Diploma is welcoming staff from secondary, primary and other educational settings seeking to develop their practice as professionals and as practitioner researchers..
The Practitioner Enquiry MEd offers teachers, school leaders and other educators the means to engage in enquiry and research related to their own practices and contexts. Practitioner enquiry is associated with school improvement, teachers' professional development and educational innovation.
There is a general pathway and a leadership pathway – the latter requires you to focus on modules and a dissertation related to educational leadership and management.
Course participants come from across educational phases (early years to HE) and between educational sectors (schools, museums, colleges and universities, and educational consultancies). This diversity helps to create a dynamic and supportive learning environment in which you learn considerably from each other as well as from the course leaders.
The courses encourage you to take a practical and informed approach to the 'plan, do, review' cycle, and helps you to become more critically reflective to develop approaches rooted in evidence.
You will complete taught modules, to suit your interests and complement your career progression. There are also specific modules designed to support early career and leadership progression. In each module, appropriate professional learning is based on exploring the links between practice, theory and research.
Modules can be taken in any combination and order, allowing you to create a tailor-made course to suit your professional needs and interests.
The modules develop innovative approaches to meeting the demands of your work, whether just starting out in your career or taking significant responsibilities for educational excellence and actively supporting other professionals.
The knowledge and skills you develop through taught material will be consolidated and extended through completion of a dissertation.
Course tutors are active researchers and all teach and supervise across a range of courses. This provides them with a wide knowledge base and a genuine concern for the challenges of educational contexts, both in the UK and abroad.
The close relationship between the teaching and contemporary research activities based at Newcastle University has been identified as evidence of exemplary practice.
The MEd in Practitioner Enquiry is led by Pam Woolner, and the Leadership pathway by Rene Kolgbauer.
The course draws on the expertise developed in the North Leadership Centre and the Research Centre for Learning and Teaching which are based in the School of Education, Communication and Language Sciences.
Most students complete these part time courses over three years, although some enter with PGCE (or other) Masters level credits and can complete more quickly. It is recommended that you complete 60 credits per year.
Modules are selected according to your professional development interests. They are taught in a number of ways to accommodate part-time study. For example some are taught on Saturdays, some during half-term holidays, and some are scheduled for afternoons and evenings.
Teaching is fairly intense, and the learning from the modules extends into practical and reflective engagement with the workplace.
Assessed work requires you to use both reflective and enquiry-based techniques in your own professional context to construct a portfolio.
The final year is the dissertation, which is supported by supervision. It provides an opportunity for you to conduct bespoke research related to your professional and academic interests.
You are expected to work or volunteer in a professional educational setting. This provides the context for much of your practitioner enquiry.
There is a general pathway and a leadership pathway – the latter requires you to focus on modules and a dissertation related to educational leadership and management.
You are taught in the King George VI Building. You have access to the Education Resource Centre and associated borrowing rights
The aim of the MA Contemporary Theatre and Performance course is to produce graduates who possess a systematic understanding and a critical and creative awareness of practice and theory at the forefront of the discipline.
During the course, you will critically evaluate the current practice and theories and apply a comprehensive range of techniques to develop your own work. You will develop an understanding of philosophies of performance and consider the ethical implications of performance practice. You will investigate a line of experimental performance practices that inform and define the discipline. You will be given opportunities to apply knowledge in original ways, for instance through a significant individual research project which can include a practical component.
The modules you will study include: Advanced Performance Making, Performance: Body, Space and Identity, Advanced Research Methods and Professional Practice.
You will receive support for your learning from: your personal tutor, the subject librarian, the Performing Arts technicians, the Drama department administrator, departmental careers support.
Learning activities in Drama will support your personal development, enable you to apply your learning to a range of different contexts, develop your understanding of how you might manage your future career, support your acquisition of subject-specific and generic skills, and help you to develop an understanding of how to deal with risk and uncertainty.
The course provides an opportunity to develop a specialism in contemporary performance, in both practice and theory. The choices open to you within modules will allow you to develop your own creative and academic voice across the course, but will also give you a firm grounding in the breadth of contemporary performance practice. A particular feature of the course is the integrated exploration of theory and practice.
We continue to develop state of the art facilities which will greatly enhance your learning experience.
Our state-of-the-art performing arts and learning centre; The Performance Hub is the home for all of our performance courses. The hub features two bespoke drama studios that are ideal for rehearsals and small performances. The studios feature audio/visual equipment and facilities for hanging lighting for performances.
"As a teacher it has given me more knowledge and practice which I have used in my own teaching practice as well as challenging my own perceptions of drama and performance". Lenny Love, Head of Drama and Theatre Studies at Cardinal Griffin Catholic College.
You could use the MA to develop your career as a teacher or lecturer, or as a youth/community worker. You could use your skills and knowledge as a performer, director, writer, or create your own small-scale touring theatre company. As a practitioner, you will have a deeper understanding of your craft and a qualification recognized by FE and HE establishments.
Those aiming to apply their skills in the heritage industry, probation service and/or personnel development will have acquired strategies and techniques appropriate to such applications. Schoolteachers will be qualified for posts in Further and Higher Education, in addition to gaining a qualification to enhance their prospects in their current institutional base. Freelance artists will have additional skills and techniques to offer in the arena of arts projects in schools, theatre educational outreach work and community arts.
You could continue your academic studies by progressing on to a PhD. You could go on to train to teach, through either a PGCE course or a Graduate Training Scheme, or study a vocational course in, for example, dramatherapy.
At the end of this course you'll be able to:
1. demonstrate a systematic understanding of the field of drama, and a critical awareness of current problems and/or new insights at the forefront of the academic discipline
2. apply a comprehensive range of techniques relevant to their own research, scholarship and practice
3. apply knowledge in original ways, together with an understanding of how established techniques of research and practice are used to create and interpret knowledge in the discipline
4. evaluate critically current practice, research and advanced scholarship in drama
5. deal with complex issues both systematically and creatively, make sound judgements in the absence of complete data, and communicate their conclusions clearly to specialist and non-specialist audiences
6. demonstrate self-direction and originality in tackling and solving problems, and act autonomously in planning and implementing tasks at a professional or equivalent level
