Secondary Teaching leading to Qualified Teacher Status (QTS) PGCE: Science (Biology, Chemistry, Physics)

Why choose this course?

Want to make a difference to the lives of young people in the classroom? Train to teach in one year with our PGCE Secondary course. Our small cohorts ensure you have the personalised support you need to succeed in your future career as a teacher. We will prepare you to teach secondary students with additional opportunities to develop your ability to teach at sixth-form level. This course will enable you to become an effective, inclusive and evidence informed teacher. This course combines theory and practice of education to prepare you to teach your specialist science pathway (biology, chemistry and physics) in the 11-16 phase as well as being able to teach across all science subjects.. During the course you will develop your knowledge of how pupils learn science, how to plan effective lessons and practicals; and how assessment can improve learning and teaching in science. You will develop as a reflective teacher who makes informed decisions about how to teach science. You will develop your knowledge of learning and teaching science through research-led innovative practice that will model new approaches to learning and teaching science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) subjects.

What you will study

At the heart of our course is a commitment to personalising your journey to Qualified Teacher Status (QTS). We'll help you to grow in confidence and competence by providing you with outstanding support as you train. We model good teaching as we train you, so you can transfer what you've experienced into your own practice. You'll find a supportive learning environment at the University and in our partnership schools. This will help you develop a deep understanding of the secondary curriculum, including your own specialist subject and acquire a range of teaching methods, based upon the latest research in education. In addition to gaining Qualified Teacher Status (QTS) in accordance with government standards, you will also receive the award of PGCE with 60 credits towards our Master of Research in Education (MRes), which you can continue with beyond your PGCE year.

Teaching and assessment

Your taught sessions will be a mix of seminars, lectures, practical workshops, field trips and work with pupils. Peer-led critical support groups will also feature in the programme. Most of your sessions will be taught by university tutors but there may also be guest speakers, such as headteachers or subject leaders.

After you graduate

The course also aims to develop your professional skills to help you gain employment in a secondary school and continue with your professional development. It will provide you with a rigorous training in all aspects of being a secondary school teacher. Over 95% of our graduates enter the teaching profession after they complete their course. Many go into middle and senior management roles in schools.