PGCE Secondary - Biology

Durham University

From lesson plans to the learning environment, motivation to behaviour management, the PGCE Secondary Biology course equips you to become a confident Early Career Teacher with the skills to instil an appreciation and understanding of the natural world into the next generation.The course qualifies you to become a secondary teacher for the 11 to 16 age range and provides training for Key Stages Three and Four. Successful completion of the PGCE leads to a Postgraduate Certificate in Education awarded by Durham University and the recommendation for Qualified Teacher Status. The QTS element is accredited by Newcastle University and awarded by the Department of Education.We pride ourselves on offering a well-planned blend of research and experience in the classroom to start you on your successful career as an Early Career Teacher. We emphasise your entitlement to the Core Content Framework throughout our PGCE course to fully prepare you for the Early Career Framework, which will support you during your first two years of teaching as an Early Career Teacher.We believe that to be able to teach successfully, you must acquire a good understanding of the ‘big ideas’ of science as well as learn about how to teach Biology. We can help you channel your passion for your subject to be able to share your enthusiasm and knowledge with pupils in school, building your understanding of how children learn in science and the sequencing of learning to accommodate potential challenges.Subject pedagogy (how to teach the subject for understanding) is explored through sessions with university tutors and classroom practitioners.The University-based sessions focus on a weekly specific pedagogical theme, integrated with sessions devoted to your subject specialism, delivered by subject specialists in the University and the school partnership. Practical work is a vital part of this subject knowledge development.The Professional Studies sessions explore your understanding of critical concepts and classroom practice, allowing you to reflect on your teacher identity and progress as a developing teacher.