PGCE Secondary Science (specialising in Physics)

Our one-year, full-time Postgraduate Certificate in Education (PGCE) Secondary Physics programme will equip you with the skills, experience and knowledge you need to teach physics to pupils aged between 11 and 16 – with the option of additional experience of A-level physics teaching. Upon successful completion of your PGCE, you’ll graduate with Qualified Teacher Status (QTS) and 90 Master’s credits.

Focusing on physics-specific knowledge throughout the course, you’ll be taught in a variety of workshops in our purpose-built laboratories, which have been designed to mimic the workings of a secondary school science lab. You’ll also be taught essentials such as how to ensure pupil safety in the lab, classroom management, working with lab technicians and support staff, and how to use your own practical work and demonstrations to inspire your classes.

Physics-specific workshops will focus on subject knowledge and methods of teaching across Key Stages 3, 4 and 5, giving you the skills you’ll need to encourage your pupils to want to learn, and to help build their confidence.

You’ll cover sessions on forces, electricity, energy, waves, and misconceptions in physics.

In more general science teaching sessions you’ll spend time focusing on pupil assessment and progression, then put this into practice by planning and identifying strategies to encourage positive pupil participation and achievement

Secondary schools are demanding but tremendously rewarding environments to work in. You’ll be teaching pupils as they mature from early adolescence to adulthood. And our programme will teach you how to make an effective contribution to the work of the school beyond your subject.

ABOUT

A great teacher can play a pivotal role in a child’s life. You’ll spend your days stimulating young minds and watching your pupils grow in confidence, so they can achieve their full potential. It’s a challenging career, but also one that’s incredibly rewarding.

Our PGCE Master’s programme closely interweaves school and university-based training. Over 38 weeks, you’ll spend 120 days (24 weeks) on school placement, and 60 study days in structured learning at UEA.

Our course will provide you with the opportunity to research and evaluate the latest thinking in good teaching practice. And it will help you understand how pupils best learn physics, so that you can support and guide them – and optimise your teaching. It will also allow you to develop your own strategies to make teaching physics an engaging and positive experience.

CAREER DESTINATIONS

Teacher, Deputy head teacher, Head teacher, Private education, Tutor and Communications.