We’re recognised as one of the leading institutions in the country for teacher training. Enjoying a strong national and international reputation, we have a long and distinguished record of training teachers dating back to 1839. Our PGCE Secondary programme, with recommendation for Qualified Teacher Status (QTS), offers high-quality training for those wishing to teach in the secondary age range.
The Science with Biology, Chemistry or Physics routes are designed to equip students to teach all three sciences to key stages 3 & 4 together with a special emphasis on their specialism at KS 5.
The Science with Biology, Chemistry or Physics routes are designed to produce highly-skilled and outstanding science teachers who will enthuse and inspire children with a love of the subject and an ability to achieve in it at the highest levels.
Trainees with be trained to teach National Curriculum Science at both Key Stage 3 and Key Stage 4 and their subject specialism (Biology, Chemistry or Physics) to KS5.
The subject specific element of the course is delivered at a nearby partner school and is complemented by a Professional Studies programme, which is based at our Bognor Regis campus.
The subject studies focuses very much on turning a good understanding of educational theory into outstanding performance in the classroom.
- How do children learn? - How do we know they have learnt? - How can we increase their achievement? - How do I plan for learning and then how do I know if the children have achieved the desired outcome?
To develop these skills and many others we use a mixture of input from the course leader, from your peers, visiting speakers, group work and tasks, practical sessions and use videos of you teaching your peers.
You will learn about learning and how to plan and achieve the best progress for the children you teach.
Format and assessment
In addition to your subject specialism, you’ll study a Professional Studies element of the course, which includes:
- Professionalism in Education - Identity, Equality and Inclusion - Closing the gap in access and achievement - Reflective practice - Positive behaviour management - Working with learning support assistants - English as an additional language - Child protection and Prevent - Pastoral care in schools - Literacy and numeracy across the curriculum - Research skills - The relationship between theory and practice - Special Educational Needs - Vocal skills - Applying for teaching posts - Personal, Social and Health Education - Building rapport and resilience
The programme’s delivered full-time over 38 weeks with 70% practical school experience in established partner schools and 30% university-based time, divided between Professional Studies and subject study.
This experience provides you with the opportunity to work alongside serving teachers, learning about the broader roles and skills of teachers and other school staff.
The course is assessed through observation during teaching placements and written assignments.
To gain a Postgraduate Certificate in Education (PGCE) students need to complete three 4,000 word assignments at FHEQ level 7 (Masters), and two blocks of School Experience.
This programme prepares you for a career as a secondary school teacher. At the end of the year you will be recommended for Qualified Teacher Status and will be ready for the next stage of your development as a Newly Qualified Teacher in school. Our students are highly successful in gaining teaching posts, many in our partner schools.