Secondary Science with Chemistry PGCE

University of Bedfordshire

About the course

This largely placement-based course focuses on developing your practical teaching skills, understanding of educational theory, and subject-specific knowledge needed to be a chemistry teacher at secondary level. The course explores investigational, collaborative and problem-solving activities while giving you the skills to teach a broad spectrum of chemistry-based concepts. You build your awareness and understanding of professional issues the chemistry curriculum the role of technology and aspects of teaching such as planning and assessment.

There is the option to take this course part time over two years, making it easier to balance study with your other commitments.

What will you study?

Studying our Secondary Science with Chemistry PGCE course will equip you with in-depth knowledge and skills to teach science, specialising in chemistry, at secondary level. The Curriculum Specialist (Secondary Science with Chemistry) focuses on developing inclusive and dynamic science teaching that helps develop practical skills in students and promotes engagement in chemistry. We will explore a wide variety of teaching strategies, theories and recent research and analyse the rationale behind using them. You will then be supported in applying this theory in creative ways within your own teaching practice through collaborative planning, weekly progress reviews and evaluations.

The university works closely with various partners including the local Science Learning Partnerships (SLP) and the Royal Society of Chemistry (RSC) with colleagues from both leading training and development sessions on the course, such as teaching chemistry practical skills and developing subject specific knowledge. This course is taught alongside the Secondary Science (Biology) and (Physics) courses allowing a unique opportunity to develop as a science teacher across all three specialisms with a focus in chemistry. The course is predominately taught in a bespoke teaching lab as well as several sessions taking place in alternative learning environments to help consider the role of chemistry in the real world and how these applications can be brought back to a classroom setting. The locations vary each year and range from our purpose-built forest school to a zoo.

The Evidence Informed Curriculum Specialist unit builds on your understanding of current contexts in chemistry, as well as how to apply that knowledge into practice through a variety of methods of delivery including keynote lectures, conference day and cross subject discussion groups. As well as enrichment activities throughout the year to explore beyond the curriculum and promote positive physical and mental wellbeing. Throughout this unit, you will have the opportunity to undertake school placements where you will build your experience to independently plan and deliver lessons based on your observations and learning in our School Experience 1 unit. You will also explore new pedagogical ideas while also learning to align with behaviour management policy in schools. In the second part of this unit, School Experience 2, you will continue to develop and apply your experience from the first unit while also learning methods to adapt teaching, effective use of assessment and to promote good progress. This course is available as both a one-year full-time or a two-year part-time course.

Careers

On graduating you can apply for Qualified Teacher Status (QTS) enabling you to work as a science teacher with a chemistry specialism in a secondary education setting. Many of our graduates go on to rewarding employment in local schools.

As well as Qualified Teacher Status (QTS) completing the course also offers you up to 60 Master's-level credits with opportunities for further study at MA/MSc MPhil PhD and EdD levels.