PGCE Primary with Upper Primary Art

Our Primary PGCE offers a specialism in Upper Primary Art - the only course of its kind in the country! You will train to teach all curriculum subjects and also develop particular expertise in primary visual arts education, with a view to becoming an Art Coordinator in the future. Your practice will be informed by international research evidence and contemporary, creative projects. School placements will be in Key Stage 2 classes (ages 7-11), but the taught course covers the 5-11 age range, so you will be qualified to teach across the whole primary phase.

Overview

Trainees following the Upper Primary Art pathway will learn to teach across the primary curriculum and will take an additional specialist module in primary Art.

This pathway features a specialism focusing on developing the knowledge, understanding and skills which are necessary to teach art,craft and design with imagination and confidence to all primary-age children. The course also prepares you for the role of Specialist Leader or Coordinator for Art, and aspects of Creative Arts leadership more broadly. Recent research is used to support the development of a contemporary and critical view of art education in theory and practice. Practical workshops and seminars make up the taught component, alongside off-site visits and collaborative projects with local schools and arts organisations.

School placements will be based in Key Stage 2. However, the programme covers teaching and learning from 5-11 and, once qualified, you will be eligible to teach across the primary age range.

Learning

We provide unrivalled opportunities for trainees to achieve through our highly original Exeter Teaching Model. The programme runs over three terms with each term providing progressively more school-based work training.

By learning on campus for most of the first term you access the tools to rapidly build professional knowledge to underpin your work in school placements. The taught element is made up of timetabled seminars, lectures and self-directed study. You will be asked to work individually and as part of small and larger groups.

Our unique approach gives you opportunities to learn and become part of a community of trainees and teachers who are passionate about education, and will support you during your course and beyond. We carry out a detailed skills audit with every trainee so we understand your particular development needs and can personalise elements of training to strengthen the skills you need to excel as a teacher.

During placements Exeter trainees benefit from the focused support of two School-based Tutors: a Principle Tutor who works as an expert partner, and a Mentor who develops and challenges your thinking about teaching in ways that can be used to enhance performance.

You will be supported in developing the full range of teaching skills and effective reflection that you will need in your first teaching post as a Newly Qualified Teacher (NQT).

The PGCE is a Masters level programme and once you have achieved QTS, you can continue your studies during your first year of teaching and work towards achieving a Masters in Education.