PGCE Secondary - Outdoor Activities PGCE Secondary leading to the award of Qualified Teacher Status (Wales & beyond through the CaBan partnership)

The Secondary PGCE programme is designed to provide you with a deep understanding of how children and adolescents learn, and equip you with the skills and knowledge needed to develop as a creative and innovative teacher. You will learn about adolescent’s development through the Secondary sector and be supported to become an excellent teacher. Associate Teachers (ATs) will deliver outdoor activities at outdoor education centres, as a component of the PE curriculum, and as a method of complementing the teaching of classroom subjects in an outdoor context. ATs will regard outdoor learning as both a subject area and an experiential learning approach to teaching that adds value to the whole curriculum.

They will understand how teaching strategies are influenced by major learning theories; for example, ATs’ understanding of Dewey’s experiential learning theory will inform learning experience design promoting long-term understanding and reflection. In addition, the importance of context will be discussed, enabling ATs to appreciate the foundations of field work and links with other subjects. Current developments in outdoor learning and pedagogy will be critically analysed, thus ensuring practice is contemporary and relevant. ATs will understand how ODA are situated within the National Curriculum in Wales and the new Areas of Learning, and will teach ODA using ICT and deliver relevant aspects of the Literacy, Numeracy and Digital Competency frameworks within the subject. ODA ATs will embody the four purposes in their teaching ensuring learners understand the importance of being sustainably literate, healthy (both physically and mentally) and able to play a valuable role in society, be that in everyday life or an adventurous context.

PGCE Secondary with QTS is recognised across Wales and England and is often transferable further afield for entry into the teaching profession. It fully prepares you for the demands of teaching in Wales and beyond; Those seeking to teach outside Wales and England should check recognition and transferability of Qualified Teacher Status with the respective country’s Teachers’ Professional Body. The CaBan programmes prepare you for a wide range of roles within education and develops essential leadership skills. There is a growing body of evidence that school leadership has an impact on student outcomes second only to the influence of teachers in the classroom. Within the CaBan partnership we have international expertise and experience of the latest leadership theory and research. This expertise impacts on both the content of this programme and the significant developments across the region and at national level with respect to developing strong and effective leadership teams in our schools; The programme also offers short placements in Secondary and Special Schools, short/full placements in Outdoor Centres and other education related settings to ensure you have enhanced experience specific to your individual interests.