Music is more than just being creative. It is a powerful outlet for personal expression.
Both our Postgraduate Certificate (Level 7) and Professional Graduate Certificate (Level 6) seek to develop flexible and creative teachers. We produce musicians who can make a real impact in schools and other educational settings.
Our innovative programme attracts graduate musicians from diverse musical backgrounds. With our training, you will become a confident, qualified teacher gaining both PGCE (professional or postgraduate) and Qualified Teacher Status (QTS).
The quality of teacher training in Secondary education was rated as "Good" in the Ofsted report for Initial Teacher Education 2016. The report stated that "all trainees were highly complimentary about the quality of the subject training they receive."
As a student on our PGCE you will be taught at both the University of Greenwich and one of the country's leading conservatoires, Trinity Laban Conservatoire of Music and Dance, based in Greenwich. So not only will you benefit from a renowned teacher education provider, but you will also draw on the expertise of the conservatoire.
We believe the key to success in providing an effective music education for young people is collaboration. This is between different partners as well as teachers/leaders who understand young people's interests, passions and motivations.
Our teacher training programme promotes joined-up thinking across young people's musical experiences, both in and out of school. We aim to develop your subject knowledge as a student teacher, as well as your musicianship and teaching skills. We thoroughly prepare you for teaching music in a wide variety of educational settings. You will also develop a critical attitude to different pedagogies and the statutory curriculum.
Our PGCE comprises two elements: subject and professional training (60 days at the Avery Hill Campus or Trinity Laban in Greenwich) and school-based experience (120 days). The latter is spent mainly in two contrasting secondary schools. You will also spend a short time during term two working in alternative music education settings.
Both our postgraduate and professional certificate enables you to gain an academic qualification (PGCE) and recommendation for Qualified Teacher Status (QTS).
Year 1
Students are required to study the following compulsory courses.
You will be assessed on your written assignments and observation of teaching in relation to the Teachers' Standards. The postgraduate certificate offers an opportunity for Master's level credits to be gained through submission of appropriate assignments.
Graduates will be recommended for Qualified Teacher Status (QTS).
The majority of our graduates become secondary music teachers, although there are opportunities to work as an instrumental/vocal teacher or as a workshop leader.
You will be taught at both the University of Greenwich and one of the country's leading conservatoires, Trinity Laban Conservatoire of Music and Dance. You will receive 60 days of subject and professional training at our Avery Hill Campus or Trinity Laban in Greenwich.
Pedagogy is explored in small subject groups; techniques are examined for making each subject accessible and stimulating in a classroom environment.
Dance
The Dance route is designed to build on prior experience to equip all students with the specific subject knowledge and skills that will enable them to become effective teachers of Dance across Key Stage 3 and 4 and Post 16.
English
The English route is designed to equip students to teach language and literature across Key Stages 3 and 4 of the national curriculum and to A Level. The two subject study modules, which are based at our Bognor Regis Campus, involve active learning and all students lead sessions at different points of the year.
History
The History routes is designed to equip you to teach the subject across Key Stages 3 and 4 of the national curriculum and to A Level. This course aims to produce reflective and effective classroom practitioners, who are conversant with current discourses on history as it relates to secondary education.
Mathematics
As with all the PGCE Secondary subjects, this group is relatively small so that your tutors can recognise your particular strengths and needs, and there’s excellent support and academic advice. A team of mathematics tutors with complementary expertise contribute to the university-based sessions and are also subject tutors for school placement visits.
Modern Languages
The PGCE Secondary in Modern Languages aims to develop the necessary skills to teach modern languages effectively and make learning experiences for young people enjoyable and varied. In the University subject sessions you’ll develop your understanding of how children learn and appropriate modern languages teaching, including the use of target language and assessment.
Physical Education
This course aims to develop professional knowledge, understanding and skills in the subject material and curriculum required to teach PE, both within practical and theoretical domains.
Religious Education
The Religious Education (RE) route draws on your own prior experiences and skills and develops them to make you into a reflective, analytical and effective classroom practitioner; who can engage with current ideological and pedagogical debates surrounding the distinctive place of RE in the curriculum.
Science
(Biology, Chemistry or Physics)
The Science route is designed to equip you to teach national curriculum Science at Key Stage 3. At Key Stage 4 and A Level you’ll concentrate on your subject specialism – Biology, Chemistry or Physics. The subject specific element of the course is delivered at a partner school and is complemented by a Professional Studies programme, which is based at our Bognor Regis campus.
Over the past few years, we’ve redeveloped both of our campuses so that you have the best facilities available for your degree. We pride ourselves on the quality of the learning environment we can offer our students.
At Bognor Regis campus there is an integrated approach to the provision of learning resources and support. We offer a substantial collection of books, journals and other materials to help you further your research. A range of study areas for group and quiet study including Wi-Fi areas for laptop use are available, or you can use our open access PC and Mac areas. We use an electronic learning environment with an expanding portfolio of online library resources from anywhere at any time.
Our award winning Learning Resource Centre is at the heart of the campus. It hosts a modern library service with areas for quiet and silent study on both floors. Also situated in the LRC is the Support and Information Zone, Costa Coffee and over 80 open access work stations. An equipment loans centre offers laptops, tablets and other electronic devices for short and long term loans.
This programme prepares you for a career as a secondary school teacher. At the end of the year you will be recommended for Qualified Teacher Status and will be ready for the next stage of your development as a Newly Qualified Teacher in school. Our students are highly successful in gaining teaching posts, many in our partner schools.
In addition to your subject specialism, you’ll study a Professional Studies element of the course, which includes:
The programme’s delivered full-time over 38 weeks with 70% practical school experience in established partner schools and 30% university-based time, divided between Professional Studies and subject study. This experience provides you with the opportunity to work alongside serving teachers, learning about the broader roles and skills of teachers and other school staff.
