Geography, PGCE

Staffordshire University, the United Kingdom

Study options for this course

The award	How you will study	Study duration	Course start	Domestic course fees	International course fees
PGCE	Full-time	1 year	September	GBP 9250	GBP 10900

About Geography, PGCE - at Staffordshire University

This Teacher Training course allows graduates with an appropriate honours degree to train at postgraduate level to become school teachers in Geography.
Our course puts learning at the heart of what we do. This means that your learning, as the Associate Teacher, is at the centre of the PGCE just as, when you are teaching, the learning of your school students must be at the centre of your work.
The course is distinctive because it involves a mix of university input and school experience every week of the course, close attention to your individual needs and a genuine sense of partnership with the schools that we work with.
Staffordshire University has consistently achieved top marks in OFSTED inspections.

Staffordshire University achieved top marks in the last OFSTED inspection report for its PGCEs in Design and Technology and in Information and Communications Technology. This course, delivered by the same team, is designed to allow graduates with an appropriate honours degree to train at postgraduate level to become a secondary school Geography teacher.

You will leave this Teacher Training course with a PGCE qualification. This can be awarded at 3 levels dependent upon performance during the training year, either 30 (Professional) or 60 or 90 (Postgraduate) level 7 credits, in addition to Qualified Teacher Status (QTS), the required qualification to teach in England.

The PGCE at Staffordshire University offers specialist support and expertise from tutors who are at the forefront of developments in Geography. It is characterised by small class sizes allowing effective links with the schools in our partnership.

The course aims to develop your professional competencies in the creation and delivery of programmes in secondary education, and to develop the wider professional knowledge and skills expected of a qualified teacher.

This is a 36 week course. The equivalent of 24 weeks (120 days) is spent in 2 carefully selected placement schools and 12 weeks in the university.

Course content

After a two week Induction Programme, you will be in school on serial and block placements to gain a supported understanding of the role of the teacher. Within a school, you will receive expert support from a subject or class mentor who will hold weekly meetings with you to help you to prepare, teach and review lessons and develop your subject knowledge.

Each school or college will have a professional mentor who will help you to understand the organisation of the school, pastoral care systems and the legal and social framework of school including supporting services.

Associate Teachers have a phased introduction to teaching that will reflect your personal needs. Initially you will observe the regular teacher, help with group work and then move towards sharing classes with the teacher before eventually taking classes yourself. As well as teaching your subject, you will be required to contribute generally to the life of the school.

The university element of the course is designed to engage Associate Teachers in critical reflection on the nature of education. We also aim to develop your knowledge of the curriculum for Geography. Group and individual tutorials in the university will give you an opportunity to discuss your ideas and the challenges you may face.

The university aspects of the course take place on the Stoke campus and will draw upon the experience of practicing teachers as well as highly experienced tutors. The school experience is based in local, carefully selected partnership schools.

The blend of practical experience and university study will be evidenced by the compilation of portfolios and the production of short written academic papers.

Graduate destinations

On completing your Teacher Training course (PGCE) and starting your first teaching job, you can join our Newly Qualified Teacher course and, after your first year in teaching, move on to our MA in Education course. Because of your PGCE and NQT awards, you will be fast tracked and can gain a full MA in Education by the end of your third year in teaching.

Entry requirements

To apply for the course you will need a minimum 2:2 honours degree, at least 50% in an appropriate subject.
Mathematics and English GCSE grade C qualifications.
A good general education.
You will also need to demonstrate a good understanding of the education system gained from work or placement in schools or experience of working with secondary school aged pupils.
You will be required to successfully complete a Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) application and be certified fit to teach.
You must be ICT literate.
We recommend you submit a well considered personal statement on the UCAS application form as this is a key part of the short listing process.

For further information please contact the PGCE Course Administrator, Cath Hickling, at c.hickling@staffs.ac.uk or telephone 01785 353830.

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Geography, PGCE

Study options for this course

About Geography, PGCE - at Staffordshire University

Entry requirements

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