PGCE Secondary (Science with Biology)

Bring your graduate expertise, skills and enthusiasm to the imaginative and practical teaching of biology to children of all abilities from 11 to 18. Our one year programme aims to prepare you to teach in a way that makes use of the latest developments and technology. You’ll be introduced to a range of modern scientific software and use and develop resources for interactive white boards. The placement experience will sharpen your skills and fully prepare you for your future teaching career.

Key features

• Build your confidence and gain practical teaching experience, with two main placements in local secondary schools and shorter visits to primary schools.
• Access a range of bursary and funding options to help ensure you’re able to focus on your studies and placements.
• Benefit from support throughout your training from both your faculty tutor and school mentors.
• Stand out as a subject specialist with the knowledge, personal qualities and standards of professional competence necessary to stimulate the imagination of children and to maintain and improve standards in schools.
• Learn about the latest curriculum developments, issues and innovations.
• You'll be supported to teach all three sciences to GCSE, with a particular focus on your specialism.
• Deepen your understanding of teaching, and learn about the opportunities for continued professional development and the relationship between educators and society.
• Make use of the latest technologies and developments in teaching and gain experience in developing multimedia resources for your subject.
• Hone your CV, interview and job application skills and attend events that will introduce you to potential employers.
• Leave with the skills, knowledge and experience needed to begin your career teaching biology to children of all abilities from 11-18.
• Take advantage of free teacher training support from the Department for Education’s Premier Plus programme.
• Our PGCE secondary programme is now part of the School Direct initiative, and we offer a wide range of subjects through this route.

Your suitability for the PGCE Secondary programme is judged on a range of factors including academic qualifications, ability to work with other people and a real interest in learning and teaching. When selecting applicants for interview the admissions tutor will consider all parts of the application including a personal statement and references. The UCAS website has useful information on how to provide these. Academic requirements: GCSE grade4/grade C (or equivalent) in English and mathematics; An honours degree (2:2 or above), or equivalent, from a recognised university. Your degree should be closely related to your chosen subject specialism. Please contact a member of the admissions team for further advise. There is also a requirement to pass minimum standards for literacy and numeracy. Masters and PhDs count towards entry requirements. A masters degree will be considered as a second class upper degree and a PhD as a first. This will also apply to international applicants. Non-academic requirements: You'll be required to complete a satisfactory DBS (formerly CRB) Enhanced Disclosure, register with the Independent Safeguarding Authority and complete a criminal convictions self-declaration form. Find all of the important documentation you'll need when applying for this programme; You must be deemed fit to teach; You must be able to reflect on some experience in relevant educational setting(s).