PGCE (Postgraduate Certificate in Education) for Independent Schools 2022/23 entry
Overview
A teacher training course tailored specifically for trainee teachers in independent schools (junior, preparatory and senior) in the UK.
The Postgraduate Certificate in Education teacher training course is tailored specifically for trainee teachers employed in independent schools (junior, preparatory and senior) in the UK. It has been designed to sit alongside the national Teachers’ Standards in England and upon successful completion could significantly reduce the amount of time it takes to gain Qualified Teacher Status (QTS) at a later stage. Qualified Teacher Status is the recognised award to teach in state-maintained schools in England.
If you are interested in the opportunity to gain Qualified Teacher Status, see our PGCE with QTS course or our Assessment-Only Route to QTS.
If you instead want to study your PGCE in a school abroad, head to our PGCE for International Schools.
The PGCE course is school-based, which means that you will study while in employment in a school as a trainee teacher, teaching assistant or learning assistant, under the supervision of an in-school mentor and university tutor. It combines the flexibility of online learning with practical in-school experience, which aims to provide you with relevant study to complement your work in-school. You can choose to study solely online but also have the opportunity to attend up to six days of face-to-face sessions at the university.
The course is designed to be highly practical in nature because we believe that learning the craft of the classroom is best done on the job. It is also grounded in applicable pedagogical research and aims to provide successful teaching practice that is geared to enable you to become a first-class teacher upon successful completion.
We offer multiple start dates throughout the year, so you can start at the right time for you. The course is usually studied over an academic year, but is also flexible and can take longer to allow for individual circumstances –for example, if you work part-time or simply wish to take more time to complete the course. Whenever and wherever you choose to study, our aim is to help you become not just a teacher but a great teacher.
Course information
The Postgraduate Certificate in Education (PGCE) is a teacher training course tailored for trainee teachers, teaching assistants and learning support assistants, who are employed in independent schools (junior, preparatory and senior) in the UK, and wish to have the opportunity to train on the job.
The course aims to develop teachers who are confident, inspiring and highly effective in transferring knowledge and skills to their pupils. In doing so, the course aims to:
- Enable you to explore wider perspectives in education and have the opportunity to deepen your understanding of codes of practice and contemporary issues affecting schools.
- Equip you with the skills to reflect on your personal and professional development and respond positively to feedback through critical analysis of your practice.
- Support you to develop an inquiry-led approach to research of your own practice and reflect on strategies for effective teaching and learning.
- Foster a culture of independent learning and self-awareness so you can take responsibility for your own professional development while understanding your strengths, weaknesses and how to progress your own teaching.
Course Specifcation
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Modules
In more detail...
If you have been thinking about teaching for a while and aspire to be a teacher who is respected and remembered by your pupils, our Postgraduate Certificate in Education (PGCE) may be the course you are looking for. It combines the flexibility of online study with practical in-school experience, which is designed to help you train on the job under the supervision of skilled school-based mentors and experienced university tutors.
The online segments are designed to be studied at your own pace, which should fit more naturally with the changing patterns of life and work, while the in-school and optional face-to-face components offer hands-on teaching opportunities and collaborative learning experiences.
Start dates are flexible too. Whilst most trainee teachers will start in September and complete their study in July, some may decide, for example, to start in January or April. Study can also be extended to take longer than a typical academic year to support personal or professional circumstances.
- Personalised on-the-job training
- Available in a location that suits you
- Aims to provide highly practical learning experiences
- Built around the craft of the classroom
- Available for both primary (including preparatory/junior) and secondary (senior) phases in all school subjects
- Multiple start dates
- 24/7 access to online learning materials
- Day-to-day guidance from a school-based mentor
- Face-to-face sessions/seminars optional
- Designed to provide varied and engaging assessments
This is designed to be a highly practical course, in which trainee teachers have the opportunity to develop their craft in schools, under the supervision of skilled school-based mentors and experienced university tutors.
The course maintains that there is no one way to teach, and encourages teachers to engage with a variety of teaching methods to develop their own best practice. It promotes the principle that continued professional development is fundamental to outstanding teaching and aims for its graduates to carry forward this belief throughout their careers.
There are four modules of study comprising Behaviour and Classroom Management, Curriculum Delivery and Assessment, Development of the Teachers’ Standards, and Practical Teaching Practice.
The Practical Teaching Practice module culminates in a summative assessment at the end of the year via a portfolio of evidence. Trainees are required to collate evidence for this throughout the course and the portfolio is assessed formatively across the first three modules of study.
The course comprises four modules and is typically studied on a part-time basis over one academic year (three school terms). You’ll receive day-to-day guidance from a school-based mentor trained by the university, and will also be assigned a university tutor who will visit you in your school up to twice a year.
The modular structure of the course is blended in approach. It combines online distance learning with practical in-school support. There are also optional face-to-face sessions, which aim to provide valuable peer support and a collaborative learning environment for trainees to have the chance to learn from one another while sharing and reflecting on experiences away from school.
For trainees teaching outside the British Isles, all travel, accommodation and reasonable sustenance costs of two tutor visits are charged in addition to the course fees.
Assessment throughout the PGCE aims to be varied, engaging and designed to stimulate learning. It includes lesson observations, case study research, oral presentations and written assignments.
The Practical Teaching Practice module culminates in a summative assessment at the end of the year via a portfolio of evidence. You are required to collate evidence for this throughout the course and it will be assessed formatively across the first three modules of study.
The PGCE is a standalone formal teacher training qualification resulting in 60 Level 7 Master’s credits that may be transferred as prior learning credits for future study at Master’s degree level.
While this course does not provide Qualified Teacher Status (QTS) – the recognised award to teach in state-maintained schools in England – it has been designed to sit alongside the national Teachers’ Standards in England and national guidelines for Initial Teacher Training (ITT), as prescribed by the Department for Education. Evidence collated for the course is rigorously assessed, which may substantially reduce the amount of time it takes to gain QTS at a later stage. If you would like the opportunity to obtain Qualified Teacher Status, see our online PGCE with QTS course or our Assessment Only Route to QTS.
On successful completion of the course, you should be able to:
- Teach effectively and skilfully so that all pupils in your lessons progress and learn well
- Develop a reflective and self-critical approach to analyse and foster skills in teaching that promote your self-efficacy and confidence
- Critically evaluate pedagogy to adopt relevant strategies and teaching methods that promote high-quality behaviour and learning within your individual context
- Adapt to new environments according to the needs of children
- Critically reflect on what impacts pupil learning, and exercise independent judgement, using evidence from your own teaching as well as relevant educational research, to inform and improve your own teaching
- Analyse your own teaching, and research both teaching theory and practice to identify opportunities for future development, and put improvements into practice
- Develop critical self-awareness from mentoring, and respond positively to feedback to develop greater resilience that will help you to enjoy longevity in a teaching career
- Demonstrate that you understand the relationship between theory and your own practice, and meet the minimum level when assessed against the Teachers’ Standards
- Synthesise and critically evaluate pedagogical theory and literature in support of an argument and present evidence of effectiveness in relation to your own teaching
A 15-credit module consists of 150 hours of learning, which comprises a mix of directed and self-directed study.
During your study, you will have access to an experienced team, including associate lecturers, progression coaches and student experience officers, who will support your studies through regular feedback and dedicated live seminars.
Entry Requirements
We pride ourselves on offering competitive tuition fees which we review on an annual basis and offer a wide range of scholarships to support students with their studies. Course fees are calculated on the basis of what it costs to teach each course and we aim for total financial transparency.
We pride ourselves on offering competitive tuition fees which we review on an annual basis and offer a wide range of scholarships to support students with their studies. Course fees are calculated on the basis of what it costs to teach each course and we aim for total financial transparency.
For trainees teaching outside Great Britain, all travel, accommodation and reasonable sustenance costs of two tutor visits is charged in addition to the course fees
Career prospects
The course is designed for teachers, teaching assistants or learning support assistants, who are employed in independent schools in the UK but have not undergone any formal teacher training. The course aims to prepare trainee teachers for the ongoing changes and demands in schools, as well as the need for continuous professional development in teaching, upon successful completion.
While this course does not provide Qualified Teacher Status (QTS) – the recognised award to teach in state-maintained schools in England – the course has been designed to sit alongside the national Teachers’ Standards in England and national guidelines for Initial Teacher Training (ITT), so may significantly reduce the amount of time it takes to gain QTS at a later stage.
Successful completion of the course will result in 60 Level 7 credits that may be transferred as prior learning credits for future study at master’s degree level.
Disclaimer
1Accreditations
The majority of our courses have been formally recognised by professional bodies, which means the courses have been reviewed and tested to ensure they reach a set standard. In some instances, studying on an accredited course can give you additional benefits such as exemptions from professional exams (subject to availability, fees may apply). Accreditations, partnerships, exemptions and memberships shall be renewed in accordance with the relevant bodies’ standard review process and subject to the university maintaining the same high standards of course delivery.
2UK and international opportunities
Please note that we are unable to guarantee any UK or International opportunities (whether required or optional) such as internships, work experience, field trips, conferences, placements or study abroad opportunities and that all such opportunities may be subject to additional costs (which could include, but is not limited to, equipment, materials, bench fees, studio or facilities hire, travel, accommodation and visas), competitive application, availability and/or meeting any applicable travel COVID and visa requirements. To ensure that you fully understand the visa requirements, please contact the International Office.
3Tuition fees
The University will charge the tuition fees that are stated in the above table for the first Academic Year of study. The University will review tuition fees each year. For Home Students, if Parliament permit an increase in tuition fees, the University may increase fees for each subsequent year of study in line with any such changes. Note that any increase is expected to be in line with inflation.
For International Students, we may increase fees each year but such increases will be no more than 5% above inflation. If you defer your course start date or have to extend your studies beyond the normal duration of the course (e.g. to repeat a year or resit examinations) the University reserves the right to charge you fees at a higher rate and/or in accordance with any legislative changes during the additional period of study.
4Facilities
Facilities are subject to availability. Due to the ongoing restrictions relating to COVID-19, some facilities (including some teaching and learning spaces) may vary from those advertised and may have reduced availability or restrictions on their use.
Student Contract
By accepting your offer of a place and enrolling with us, a Student Contract will be formed between you and the university. The 2022/23 Contract is currently being updated so please revisit this page before submitting your application. The Contract details your rights and the obligations you will be bound by during your time as a student and contains the obligations that the university will owe to you. You should read the Contract before you accept an offer of a place and before you enrol at the university.
