PGCE Secondary Business Studies

Bath Spa University

Skilled teachers make a difference to the lives of those they teach. This teacher training course is designed to enable you to become a qualified, passionate teacher of Business Studies in Secondary schools. We encourage you to embrace the professional qualities and attributes that successful teachers need, including: the ability to inspire, engage and motivate learners in your subject, a commitment to inclusion and your pupils’ wellbeing, impeccable personal and professional conduct, and the ability to reflect on your own progress and continue to develop. With our support, you’ll become an empathetic and skilled teaching professional who is responsive to the needs of all pupils. You’ll have a positive impact on those you teach – from the beginning of your training within schools. Innovation is at the heart of this course, from exploring the ways in which children learn today to developing your own ICT skills and using software creatively. You’ll gain the wide-ranging knowledge and planning skills needed to become a motivating, innovative Business Studies teacher.Course structureThe PGCE Secondary programme covers all subjects and is studied full-time over one academic year.Your first school placement begins with familiarisation, where you observe your Training Mentors teaching the classes that you will eventually take over. You’ll teach parts of lessons before assuming responsibility for them. You’ll also learn about the curriculum in your subject, how schools work and how pupils make progress.Throughout your training you’ll be supported by your Academic Tutor, who is a specialist in your subject. Your Academic Tutor nurtures and develops you as an individual and a professional, while working closely with your Training Mentors and Lead Trainers to provide vital support.Your PGCE Secondary journey culminates in you developing independence and your own identity as a teacher. You’ll create your own resources, style and techniques for teaching, and build the confidence you need to bring your subject to life.Throughout the year, you'll track and reflect on your experiences and gain evidence of your suitability to be recommended for Qualified Teacher Status (QTS).CareersAs a graduate of our PGCE with a recommendation for Qualified Teacher Status (QTS), you can begin your teaching career right away.During the course, we offer support with applications and interviews so that you can give your teaching career the best possible start.As an Early Career Teacher, you’ll be supported by your new employing school for a further two years, after which you might work to become a Head of Department, Assistant Head, Deputy or Headteacher, or take on a more pastoral role such as Head of Year.