PGCE Secondary Education: English

Why choose this course?

If you have a passion for the English language and the exploration of ideas through all forms of written and verbal media, and wish to communicate your enthusiasm with young people, this course will prepare you to do this effectively. The aim of the course is to develop reflective teachers who care about pupils’ language development and who understand how to ensure progression in pupils’ written, reading, and oral skills so that they develop into skilled and critical readers, writers, and speakers. You will be encouraged to develop effective and inspirational practical teaching skills underpinned by a sound grasp of theoretical concepts. As a trainee you will learn how to teach English Language and Literature to pupils in the 11–16 age range within the secondary age phase, with additional primary and post-16 enhancements. You will learn how to develop skills, knowledge and understanding for teaching English Language and Literature through a combination of university-led and school-led training.

Our Postgraduate Certificate in Education (PGCE) in Secondary Education provides a high standard of training for those preparing to take up a teaching post in the secondary school sector. The course complies with the statutory guidance from the Department for Education for Initial Teacher Training courses.

The PGCE in Secondary Education is specifically designed to ensure that those who are successful will be recommended for the award of Qualified Teacher Status (QTS) – the professional award required by all those who wish to teach in a maintained school.

Potential Career Paths

The PGCE in Secondary Education leads to a recommendation for QTS, and enables you to take up a qualified teaching post in a secondary school.

In secondary schools you could be considered for a Teaching and Learning Responsibility (TLR), which may comprise any of the following:

Leading a particular subject as head of department, faculty or curriculum

Leading the achievement of a particular age group as head of year or key stage coordinator

Leading a particular area such as special education needs or pastoral care (i.e. personal guidance)

Later, you could progress to a senior leadership position such as a deputy or assistant head and head teacher - at which point you will have overall responsibility for the leadership and management of a school and the education its students receive.

To hold a first degree of a United Kingdom higher education institution or equivalent qualification. For example Bachelor of Arts (BA), Bachelor of science (BSc) etc. or similar. They are sometimes known as 'undergraduate' or 'first' degrees. To have achieved a standard equivalent to a grade 4 (previously Grade C) in the GCSE examinations in English and Mathematics. We do NOT accept GCSE Short Courses OR GCSE Equivalent Tests from other institutions or organisations, Key Skills Level 2 or Functional Skills Level 2.