PGCE Secondary Computer Science with ICT

Course Summary

This teaching degree provides graduates with the knowledge, skills and experience necessary to teach the ICT and Computer Science at secondary school level. Time is spent in the University in lectures and seminars and in the classroom on placements, ensuring that by the end of the course, trainees are confident professionals ready to begin teaching in secondary schools. The course aims to develop an understanding of ICT and computer science, the principles involved in the teaching and learning of the subject across the full age and ability range and the professional values and practice, subject knowledge and understanding commensurate with the particular subject specialism. This includes how children learn and how they develop cognitively, socially and physically and the understanding, skills and personal qualities necessary for managing the learning environment.

All trainees undertake a module concerned with the wider context of schools and education. This develops the knowledge, skills and attitudes required for your first teaching post in a secondary school. It also builds a foundation for further professional development. Elements of this module include both whole cohort keynote lectures and seminars, many of which are led by mixed groups of trainees supported by tutors. This allows you to meet the Teacher Standards by making secure connections between issues in school and your own professional practice. ICT continues to be a rapidly expanding area in schools. The PGCE Information Communications Technology and Computer Science course will enable newly qualified teachers to teach ICT and Computer Science with confidence, inspiring and challenging pupils in the 11-18 age phase. The course will include education professional studies, subject application studies and school experience.

The vocational nature of the PGCE Secondary and the fact that successful completion of the course leads to a recommendation for Qualified Teacher Status (QTS) means that graduates are ideally placed to pursue a career as a teacher in a secondary school or college.