PGCE Primary Education with Special Educational Needs and Disability

Course Summary

Do you want to be there for those children who need extra support with their learning? Our specialist PGCE Primary Education with Special Educational Needs and Disability (5-11) is for trainee teachers with an interest in special education and SEND pupils.

This course is a direct route to a career that helps pupils in mainstream and special schools to develop confidence and knowledge. The focus is on learning for all. Working in inclusive classrooms alongside expert teachers, you will develop depth of knowledge to support all learners and enhanced knowledge to promote learning for SEND pupils. You'll be trained in a range of teaching styles appropriate to mainstream schools but also specific approaches for the special schools sector.

The aim of PGCE Primary Education with SEND is to prepare trainee teachers for a first appointment as a teacher in a primary or special school. If you want to train to teach whilst having the university experience, then a PGCE is the right choice for you. On this course you’ll be supported as a trainee within the university, at the same time as going into classrooms in our huge range of partnership schools.

You will spend 24 weeks in placements at key stages one and two. Your classroom responsibilities will increase as your confidence and expertise grows. This experience will ensure you are comfortable with your skills and confident of what you are looking for when applying for your first role as a Newly Qualified Teacher.

How will you be taught?

Includes lectures, seminars, tutorials, practical workshops and 24 weeks of placement experiences, in two 12-week blocks (one at Key Stage 1 and one at Key Stage 2). Teaching is intensive and akin to being in a full time job (9 to 5 Monday to Friday).

How will you be assessed?

Based on the same way you will be assessed when you are a qualified teacher and includes: teaching portfolios, assignments, presentations, observed teaching and case studies.

A degree at 2:2 or above. GCSE English, Mathematics and Science at grade 4 or grade C or above (or an equivalent qualification). Candidates must meet the requirements for fitness to teach as detailed in ‘Fit to Teach’ by completing an online medical questionnaire.