PGCE Secondary (Mathematics)

Overview

This PGCE course prepares you to teach Mathematics in either the 11 to 16 (with post-16 enhancement) or 14-19 age phases. It is a very practical course with around two thirds of the time spent in schools, mostly working with teachers and pupils, and around one third spent on directed study, with partnership training in the University and school. It is an integrated academic and professional preparation for teaching, combining study at either postgraduate or professional level with practical training to meet the Teachers’ Standards.

About The Course

You will consider the broader aspects of teaching, contexts for learning, the latest government initiatives and contemporary issues in teaching, learning and assessment. You will also work alongside trainee teachers of other subjects to consider cross-curricular aspects of education. These topics will introduce you to your career in the teaching profession.

Throughout your year of study, you will explore all aspects of your subject. This includes those areas that are your strengths, as well as areas you may need to improve upon. You will study how pupils learn in your subject area, how you need to assess them and how to keep abreast of new developments within your subject. You will learn how to plan and deliver topics in ways that include all types of learners in meaningful ways.

You will spend two thirds of the year in partner schools and other educational settings gaining rich and varied experiences designed to support meeting the standards for Qualified Teacher Status (QTS). Working with peers, tutors and school-based colleagues, you will develop your abilities to promote effective learning among 11-19 year olds. You will also have opportunities to gain experience of the key stages before and after the ones in which you will qualify.

Careers & Further Study

The teaching profession has a well-structured career pathway which moves progressively from initial teacher training through to newly qualified (NQT) status to qualified teacher. Many continue to work in our partner schools, becoming mentors to our trainee teachers, pursing further study to full Masters and Doctoral level at BGU and taking on leadership roles including Headships.

For all PGCE Secondary specialisms you will normally need: GCSEs at grade C or above (or equivalent) in English Language and Mathematics at the time of application; A relevant honours degree at a 2:2 classification or above (Where the degree result is to be awarded in the year of application, we will require a predicted degree classification as part of an academic reference provided on the application); Experience; Skills Tests in Numeracy and Literacy; Declaration of Health; DBS (formerly the CRB) Enhanced Disclosure.