PGCE - Secondary - Religious Education

Age phase: 11-16 with post-16 enhancement

This is the ideal time to become a confident, effective and reflective RE teacher. Understanding religion and worldviews is vitally important as they: i) are key to the story of how humans have experimented with ways of living, and continue to do so; ii) aid us to understand culture and politics through exploring underlining beliefs and values; iii) help individuals to form their own coherent and satisfying perception of reality, and RE is helpful in this pursuit.

By taking this PGCE you will:

• Equip young people with the skills and knowledge needed to help them explore life’s deepest questions, as they develop their independence and work out how to live a good life
• Be taught by an enthusiastic, experienced and inspiring tutor who will individually support each trainee.
• Work in an excellent RE department supported by teachers passionate about RE and teaching.
• Experience the collaborative spirit of the course: share your emerging ideas and work together to develop strategies and resources.
• Work in partnership with schools covering a wide geographical area and place you in the most appropriate school for your training requirements.

Training at Worcester

• We have an excellent relationship with the local faith community so work in close partnership with the Mosque, Cathedral, Buddhist temple, Synagogue and more. We visit places of worship to enhance subject knowledge and learn how to organise school visits.
• You are kept up to date on current issues within religious education via relevant research, pedagogical methods and government policy. Use of social media is encouraged in order to keep abreast of debates within the RE community.
• As a trainee RE teacher you will be immediately welcomed as a member of the of the Worcestershire RE Hub. This group of RE teachers meets termly to share best practice, receive CPD and discuss current issues affecting classroom teachers.
• We are noted for our friendly and supportive approach to trainees. Having worked in a variety of secondary schools across the region for over 20 years, the subject tutor is best placed to lead you on this journey through to your NQT year.

Where could it take you?

• Great employment prospects
• Prepare for leadership and your Masters with 60 credits and a strong research foundation
• Many University of Worcester trainees gain promotion within the first few years of teaching

Academic requirements: Honours degree normally (2:2) or higher from a United Kingdom higher education institution or equivalent qualification, in a relevant subject area. Applicants with a 3rd class degree will be considered on an individual basis. All entrants have achieved a standard equivalent to a grade 4 (formerly grade C) in the GCSE examinations in English Language and mathematics (or equivalent) (for 2022 entry, applicants must have these qualifications by the start of the course). Alternatively, we offer equivalency test if you don’t have the required GCSE grade to apply for our courses. Trainees who begin courses before providing evidence of the required GCSE standard (or equivalent) will not be eligible for financial incentives, such as bursaries or grants until they achieve the required standard.