PGCE Secondary Computing

University of East London

This course leads to the award of Qualified Teacher Status (QTS) for the 11-to-16 age range, which qualifies you to be a teacher in secondary schools in England and Wales. Where possible, we also give you the chance to gain experience in the 11-to-18 age range. The way computing is taught in schools has changed. Children in schools now learn about programming and information technology from the age of five. The new computing curriculum is a blend of traditional ICT and computer science.We will support you to develop as a great computing teacher who can bring the subject to life by devising and delivering a diverse range of engaging lessons that educate and excite all pupils. You will develop the skills to devise and deliver enlightening lessons and teach pupils about our planet's people, places, landscapes, processes and fascinating natural history. The subject studies element of the course will show you how to break down barriers and find ways to help both struggling and high-achieving studentsThe university-based training initially consists of weekly lectures on themes that are then developed in seminar groups. You will work both in subject-specific groups and in mixed-subject groups.We organise our training so that it feels like a school. We teach students mainly in small groups of 30 rather than in large lecture halls of 150 or 300 because it is important that you have plenty of time in your subject groups.The Secondary PGCE course at the University of East London was designed in 2001 in conjunction with the local authorities to address the secondary education teacher shortage in East London.The partnership works with input and support from the London Boroughs of Barking & Dagenham, Newham, Tower Hamlets, Hackney, Waltham Forest and Redbridge.It means that our graduates are represented in virtually every secondary school in east London. Some are now deputy heads or in senior management roles in schools that are taking our current trainees for their placements.