PGCE Secondary Science Biology with Psychology

Our Secondary Science PGCE is run by a team of committed, passionate and experienced staff who offer a diverse range of expertise and a genuine conviction that our approach to teacher education is a great way to develop outstanding teachers. Staff have extensive school and university teaching experience, and are active in researching in and working with schools to push forward the frontiers of science education. We train you to be thoughtful, creative teachers who care about children’s development and their capacity to understand and use science in their everyday lives and future careers.

Overview

Psychology remains one of the most popular ‘A’ Level subjects and is also being offered as a GCSE option in some schools. The Biology with Psychology option is designed to provide a pathway into teaching for good psychology or biology graduates who also have a strong background in both biology and psychology.

Psychology graduates wishing to follow this programme will normally be expected to have an upper second or first class Honours degree in Psychology and ‘A’ level Biology at grade A or B. Biology graduates who wish to follow this programme will normally be expected to have an upper second or first class Honours degree in a Biological Science and ‘A’ level Psychology at grade A or B. The programme is designed to prepare students to teach all aspects of science to at least Key Stage 3, Biology to at least Key Stage 4 and psychology teaching at Key Stage 4 and post-16 level.

Development of subject and teaching knowledge and understanding is a priority and the team of science tutors includes specialists in physics, chemistry, biology and psychology teaching.

Topics covered include:

• the aims of science teaching
• the planning, preparation and evaluation of learning experiences for children of different ages and abilities
• school laboratory management
• the use of information and communications technologies to support science teaching and learning

Learning and assessment

Teaching

We are leaders in Initial Teacher Education. Our unique approach to teaching PGCE is praised by OFSTED and cited as an example of best practice on their website.

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.