Education and Training with Teaching Maths (Numeracy) Postgraduate Certificate in Education (PGCE)

Course overview

This course specifically trains teachers wanting to teach maths (numeracy) in education and training sector educational settings, such as further education colleges, and adult and community settings.

Due to government changes, if you complete this award you may also be able to gain employment in a secondary school setting, particularly in the post-14 age range - subject to the completion of Qualified Teacher Learning and Skills (QTLS). It is ideal for graduates wishing to teach their degree subject across a range of settings in the education and training sector.

For students who are following the specialist maths (numeracy) route an additional subject knowledge enhancement module is completed alongside the generic PGCE Education and Training modules. This module will ensure that you are fully conversant with the expectations of teaching maths (numeracy) within a range of education and training contexts. It will include enquiry-based learning tasks and ensure that you experience the assessment of maths (numeracy) from the perspective of your students in order to inform your practice as a teacher.

This course has been developed to embed The Professional Standards for Teachers and Trainers in Education and Training, and it combines academic study with substantial placement experience and observation of e course is designed to develop your knowledge and skills and enable you to fully meet the professional standards of the sector. This one year full-time programme comprises five modules across four key strands (professional skills, research, theory and specialist knowledge). These are delivered across the year to allow understanding, skills and practical application to take place over time. The strands of the programme are delivered concurrently to ensure that you make explicit links between all aspects of your learning.

The course begins with a two week intensive block of teaching that quickly provides you with core strategies and a basic understanding of learning and teaching (L&T). This ensures that you are supported to fully engage with your teaching practice placements from the outset. Following the intensive teaching block you normally attend your placement setting for three days per week (Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday) and attend taught/ teaching related sessions over the remaining two days per week (Thursday and Friday). You also attend one CPD session per week and additional specialist subject teaching days during the course.

The exception to this pattern is when trainees undertake two, four-week block placements during which time they are expected to be in their placement setting for the standard working week and engage with all work related activities expected within the teaching practice setting. You also attend two full-day conferences alongside trainees from across the partnership.

How you are assessed

You are assessed on your knowledge, professional skills and ability to integrate the theoretical and the practical aspects of your experience. Approaches to assessment have been designed to align with professional standards for the sector.

The overall assessment load has been carefully considered to prevent overload or the bunching of assessments whilst also ensuring that all aspects of the course remain fully integrated and your experience is a fully holistic one. Throughout the course approaches to assessment are actively modelled for and discussed with you as an essential aspect of the teacher training process.

First degree (minimum of a 2:2). In exceptional cases prospective students who do not meet this criterion but are able to demonstrate suitable significant experience and/or further study may be considered for the programme. GCSE (or standard equivalent) in English grade C (4) or above.