Postgraduate Certificate in Education Professional Graduate Certificate in Education

Transcription

1 School of Education Postgraduate Certificate in Education Professional Graduate Certificate in Education

2 2 University of Leicester School of education Why choose the University of Leicester? Contents The Fielding Johnson Building on campus. 2 Why choose the University of Leicester? 3 Welcome to the School of Education 3 training to Teach Partnership The University of Leicester is a leading teaching and research university. Founded in 1921 and receiving its Royal Charter in 1957, it is one of the United Kingdom s older universities. 4 Qualifying to Teach 5 Primary PGCE 7 secondary PGCE 10 how to Apply 12 financing your studies 13 additional Government Support Available to PGCE Students 14 about the University and the City of Leicester Leicester is a great place to study. Over half of our students are postgraduates, which contributes to a vibrant and diverse campus community. We have been recognised for the quality of our teaching. Leicester was ranked top after Oxbridge in the 2011 National Student Survey amongst 120 mainstream public universities in the UK. Leicester s levels of student satisfaction have been consistently in the top-10 since the annual survey commenced in We are ranked in the top 20 of the major 2012 University League Tables, including the Times and the Guardian. Not only that, we are ranked in the top 2% of universities in the world by the QS World University Rankings 2011, Taiwan World University Rankings and THE World University Rankings. Our high quality teaching is founded on world class research. You will be taught by academics at the cutting edge of their fields. The research conducted by the University has the strongest impact of any Midlands university measured by citations per academic. Our citation levels place us amongst the top 1% of universities in the world are the 7th highest in the England (QS World University Ranking September 5th 2011).

3 pgce 3 Welcome to the School of Education The University of Leicester School of Education was formed in 1962, when the Department of Education and the Institute of Education merged. Our experience has helped us to build an enviable reputation for being at the forefront of educational research and the professional education of teachers. We offer an extensive programme of education and training for prospective and experienced teachers, as well as teaching assistants and other professionals. Our two vibrant and successful PGCE programmes (primary and secondary) produce highly sought after graduates with excellent skills. We also offer a wide range of masters and research degrees in education, and have one of the largest Doctor of Education (EdD) programmes in the country. responsibilities grow during the year. Our tutorial support and guidance will enable you to call upon appropriate sources of support to match your needs. Our partnership schools and colleges are mostly located in Leicester, Leicestershire, Northamptonshire, or Rutland, with some on the fringes of neighbouring local authority areas. The schools have a contractual relationship with the University, and the allocation of student teachers is governed by the need for appropriate varieties of experience as well as travel arrangements and proximity to residence. Training to Teach Partnership Our PGCE programmes are at the forefront of developing partnerships with serving teachers in schools in the design and operation of initial teacher education. We have well established close working relationships with local schools and colleges in the provision of training for student teachers. How will I be taught? You will spend at least half your time during your PGCE course gaining experience in three different schools. This practical experience is supported by campus-based study providing a strong foundation for you to develop your understanding of the complexities of teaching and learning. Teachers in your partnership schools will contribute to your training and assessment and will support you as your

4 4 University of Leicester School of education Qualifying to Teach The PGCE course is linked to the demands of UK schools. It is therefore partly governed by the current curricular requirements of UK primary and secondary schools, and has to comply with certain requirements of the DFE. From September 2012, a new set of Standards, laid down by the Secretary of State will form the basis upon which all teachers in the UK receive qualification. These Standards will have a close connection with the assessment scheme of the PGCE, which means that those who achieve the PGCE award are then recommended for the award of Qualified Teacher Status (QTS), a requirement for obtaining a permanent teaching post in a British school. Holders of QTS may teach in Wales, Scotland or Northern Ireland after a further administrative procedure. The professional bodies concerned with teaching have responsibilities for maintaining the standards of the profession. There are other measures which affect student teachers in this regard. Before registering as a PGCE course member, a student teacher agrees to abide by a Fitness to Practise code. Before being able to visit a school while on the course, a student teacher must have obtained an acceptable Enhanced Disclosure through the Criminal Records Bureau. Arrangements for this begin during the selection process and are explained to those invited for interview. Awards From September 2007, it has been possible to graduate with a PGCE with one of two awards. The Postgraduate Certificate in Education provides 60 credits at Masters level, which can be carried forward to contribute later to the award of a Masters degree in Education. The Professional Graduate Certificate in Education does not include Masters level work. Both qualifications lead to recommendation for QTS.

5 pgce 5 Primary PGCE Our Primary PGCE course combines campus-based sessions, which critically engage you with the principles that underpin practices, with school-based work, enabling you to apply this knowledge and extend your skills in a range of classroom situations. We work with 180 partnership primary schools, fully representing the culturally diverse communities of Leicester, Leicestershire and neighbouring counties. You will work in a minimum of three different schools, with support from skilled, experienced teachermentors and university visiting tutors. Curriculum Studies in the Core and Foundation Subjects Much of the Curriculum subject work during the year is organised in strands focusing on the Core National Curriculum subjects of English and Mathematics and also includes an important focus on Science. However, the course also prepares you to teach across the full range of the Primary Curriculum. The Connecting the Curriculum strand promotes a cross-curricular approach, and includes study of such issues as Literacy across the Curriculum, Language, Communication and Identity, Enhancing the Classroom Environment and Using the Local Environment. Professional Development Studies The Professional Strand introduces you to the wider context of primary teaching, covering issues such as: responding to diversity in the school, community and wider society citizenship and values in education meeting the inclusion agenda in respect of Special Educational Needs the teacher as manager (supporting the work of other adults in the primary school) the legal duties and responsibilities of the teacher In addition to these key professional issues, the Professional Strand provides an overview of the generic pedagogical issues covered in the curriculum courses, such as classroom management and planning, effective teaching strategies and assessment for learning. The strand is mainly delivered to Lower and Upper Primary student teachers together, but some elements are taught separately. Professional tutors will act as your Personal Tutors, helping support you in taking increasing responsibility for your own professional development. Professional tutors also act as the direct link between the University and school-based elements of your course, visiting you during your teaching placements to support your development and assess your progress. Specialist Options The Primary PGCE is primarily designed to support student teachers in developing as high quality primary practitioners who can teach confidently and competently in all areas of the Primary National Curriculum. However, we feel that it is important that you are able to focus on a particular area of specialism, and so a small part of the course is devoted to this. You can currently opt to undertake your own independent study, supported by some taught sessions (including optional seminars); guided reading, and/or visits to schools/other educational settings. The range of specialist options available may include: Early Years Mathematics Citizenship and Social Inclusion Science English ICT History PSHE You are required to prepare a short presentation to your peers on your chosen specialist area, and to write an assessed assignment based on your specialist study work.

6 6 University of Leicester School of education Placement Working with our Partnership schools, mainly in Leicester, Leicestershire and Rutland Local Authorities, we aim to provide a variety of placements in schools of contrasting character and location. We are proud of the breadth and variety of schools working in our partnership, which enables us to ensure that you experience as wide a range of placement experience as is possible. Your placement schools will be decided by your Professional Tutor following discussions about your professional development needs. Upper Primary student teachers (specialising in the 5-11 age range) are placed in a range of Key Stage One and Two classes, and Lower Primary student teachers (specialising in the 3-7 age range) work in Key Stage One and Foundation Stage settings. You will undertake three block teaching placements in three different schools, and will also visit different schools as part of a series of focus days, studying specific subject and professional topics in an intensive school-based context. Primary (French) Although Primary with French is a separate route, the majority of the teaching will be undertaken with other Primary PGCE students. Further details about this route are available on request from the Primary PGCE Office. Assessment All successful students at the University of Leicester will attain a PGCE and Qualified Teacher Status qualification. Embedded within the teacher training course are two distinctive programmes: The Professional level programme open to all applicants and leading to the award on Professional Graduate Certificate of Education and QTS; The Masters level programme The vast majority of students are expected to complete both an introduction to research methods (offered within the course) and the appropriate readings/assignment work for the M level programme. This programme will lead to the award of a Postgraduate Certificate of Education and QTS plus 60 credits which can be put towards a full Masters qualification (requiring 180 credits). Continuous assessment is used throughout the course and there are no examination papers set by the University whichever programme you follow. Interview and Selection Process The Primary PGCE is a very demanding course, and we are looking for applicants with a wide range of skills, knowledge, experience and aptitude including the ability to form relationships, good communication skills, commitment to teaching and awareness of the impact of the social context of education on learning. You will be assessed on the quality of your written application, your reference and your performance during the selection and interview procedure. Referees should know you in an academic or professional capacity. Not all applicants are invited for interview, but all who are offered places will have been interviewed. Please refer to our website for more extensive information about our selection procedures and guidance on what we are looking for in candidates. education/pgce Applicants wishing to specialise in the teaching of French must also have an appropriate level of proficiency in the language. Evidence of this may take the form of a formal qualification, for example a degree or a very good A-level pass in French, and/or may include experience of speaking the language, for example through having lived in the relevant country. Proficiency in French will be tested at interview.

7 pgce 7 Secondary PGCE First Subject You will choose one of the following subjects as your main teaching specialism: English Mathematics Mathematics with Physics Citizenship Studies Biology with Core Science Chemistry with Core Science Physics with Core Science Physics with Mathematics Co-ordinated Science Geography Social Science Modern Languages If you choose a science subject course, you are also required to follow a second subject course in a complementary science. This will occupy an extra half day of your time in the University, and provides you with a specific additional qualification if you are successful in the course as a whole. Subject work You will benefit from: Extended placements in two schools or colleges, normally in Leicester, Leicestershire, Rutland or Northamptonshire. Close links between the University and its Partner schools / colleges, so that your experiences in the different institutions draw upon and inform each other; there are opportunities to discuss matters of practice and principle wherever you are working. Individual Action Planning to chart your way through the training year; you will be required to identify your own needs and make appropriate plans to fulfil them, with the support of University tutors and school-based staff. A number of sessions, particularly in the early part of the course, concentrating on fundamental matters such as lesson planning, the preparation of resources, adapting to various levels of ability and the importance of assessment, recording and reporting achievement. Emphasis on the crucial importance of secure subject knowledge. Familiarity with the National Curriculum and with post-14 and/or post-16 provision in your subject. Opportunities and encouragement for you to develop expertise in using Information and Communications Technology in your teaching. Encouragement for you to develop your own critical perspective on all aspects of education. Expectations that you will aim to experience as wide a range of school and departmental activities as possible, to demonstrate enthusiasm and commitment throughout, and to work hard to develop your personal and social skills.

8 8 University of Leicester School of education The Teacher Development Course The University Teacher Development course explores a central core of issues which are of concern to all teachers, such as class management and control, the psychology of learning and equal opportunities issues. Attendance at these core sessions is compulsory. These are supplemented by an extensive programme of additional optional sessions, often run by visiting experts, such as assertiveness, voice production, counselling skills, dyslexia, providing for gifted and talented pupils and teaching sport. Blackboard, the University s Virtual Learning Environment (VLE), is also used to support your professional development not only though access to more resources but in encouraging you to contribute to further discussion of key issues with your peers. The VLE also allows you to share your developing resources and ideas with them. Together, these support your progress towards successful completion of the course. The University has won Times Higher Awards in 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010 and It is the only university to win five consecutive awards. Subsidiary Courses Students in Maths, English, Languages, Citizenship, Geography and Social Science can choose to complete an optional course focusing on Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages or learning beyond the classroom.

9 pgce 9 Placement You will be able to complete your two secondary teaching placements in very diverse inner city and rural environments and work with learners from a wide range of ethnic backgrounds. We will try to place you in contrasting schools to ensure you have a rich experience in your initial training year. While in your placement school you will have the privilege of working with highly experienced teachers from our ITT partnership, many of whom are former Leicester PGCE students themselves. While you will work with many professionals during your placement you will work closely with your subject co-tutor who will take day-to-day responsibility for your development as a subject teacher. You will also work with the school s co-ordinator for ITT, normally a very experienced teacher and member of the senior management team, who takes overall responsibility for all the trainees placed with them and also co-ordinates a school-based teacher development programme. Assessment All successful students at the University of Leicester will attain a PGCE and Qualified Teacher Status qualification. Embedded within the teacher training course are two distinctive programmes: The Professional level programme open to all applicants and leading to the award on Professional Graduate Certificate of Education and QTS; The Masters level programme normally open to those with a minimum 2.2 first degree who complete both an introduction to research methods (offered within the course) and the appropriate readings/ assignment work for the M-level programme. This programme will lead to the award of a Post Graduate Certificate of Education and QTS plus 60 credits which can be put towards a full Masters qualification (requiring 180 credits). Continuous assessment is used throughout the course and there are no examination papers set by the University whichever programme you follow. Interview and Selection Process You will be assessed on the quality of your written application, your reference and your performance during the selection and interview procedure. Your reference should normally be written by someone who knows you in an academic or professional capacity. Not all applicants will be interviewed, but everyone who is offered a place will have been interviewed. Interviewing is often undertaken by experienced teachers in addition to University tutors. If you are offered a place, it will be provisional until such time as confirmation of your graduate status and a satisfactory medical report are received.

10 10 University of Leicester School of education How to Apply Entry Requirements Entrants to PGCE courses must hold a degree of a British university or a recognized equivalent qualification. All entrants to initial teacher-training courses must have attained in Mathematics and English the standard required to achieve a grade C or above in GCSE. Primary applicants must possess these GCSE qualifications at the time of application, and also require a grade C or above in a Science subject at GCSE level or equivalent. Primary applicants must already possess or expect to receive a 2.1 degree or above. Experience of work with Primary age children is also essential. Secondary candidates may apply without the basic qualifications in Mathematics and English, but they must have them by the time they begin the course. Applicants must already possess or expect to receive a 2.2 degree or above to be considered for the course. Special tests in lieu of GCSE Mathematics and English are available for Secondary candidates lacking the requisite qualification. For further subject specific entry requirements, please refer to our website. Experience of work with Secondary age children is a recommendation for Secondary applicants. Non-Academic Requirements Admission to the course is subject to a satisfactory medical report. CRB Enhanced Disclosure. It is also a requirement that prior to taking up their place on the course and starting working in schools all trainee teachers must apply for and receive, a satisfactory Enhanced Disclosure from the Criminal Records Bureau (CRB). Students who are offered and accept a place on a PGCE Course are asked to complete the official forms and provide the appropriate supporting documentation and application fee, currently

11 pgce 11 The Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (1974) and Joint Circular Protection of Children have implications for anyone wishing to enter the teaching profession. The GTTR website and the Guide to applicants booklet provides more detailed information. If you do have a criminal record you are strongly advised to follow the guidance prior to completing and submitting your application. Application Procedure Applications need to be made online through the Graduate Teacher Training Registry via the GTTR website: Our GTTR Institution Code is LEICR L34 Applications should be submitted to the GTTR. In view of the demand for places for most courses at Leicester we strongly advise you to apply as soon as possible after the beginning of September of the year before you plan to start to give yourself the best chance of obtaining a place. Interviews are arranged starting in late October. Your reference is part of the application form, so you are advised to check that your main referee (normally an academic reference is required) is in a position to deal promptly with the request. For additional information and guidance on completing your application and preparing for interview visit the TDA website at: gov.uk/get-into-teaching/apply-forteacher-training.aspx The GTTR operates from this address: Graduate Teacher Training Registry Rosehill, New Barn Lane, Cheltenham, Gloucestershire, GL52 3LZ t: Applicants are strongly advised to read the individual subject pages on the School of Education website and study the University of Leicester s Institutional Profile on the GTTR website before completing their application for the PGCE. These set out in detail the selection criteria for courses and full information about the activities carried out during the interview and selection process. Each course provides snapshots of students from a range of academic and work experience backgrounds who have been successful on our courses. Commitment to Increasing the Diversity of the Teaching Community The University of Leicester has a strong commitment to increasing the diversity of its student and staff community and to implementing its equal opportunities policy from the application stage through to course completion. We welcome applications from a wide variety of academic, social and ethnic backgrounds. We consistently recruit a significantly higher percentage of entrants from minority ethnic backgrounds over and above the target set us by the Teaching and Development Agency for Schools. We also recruit significant numbers of mature entrants and career changers onto our courses.

12 12 University of Leicester School of education Financing your studies* Training Bursary This is a tax-free payment for UK and EU students, intended to support living expenses during the course. There is no need to apply for this bursary which is paid through the University in nine equal monthly instalments, the first early in October of the year of study. Course Fees UK and EU PGCE students will be liable for the personal contribution to tuition fees of 9,000 ( ). This applies to all students whether they start a teacher training course immediately following a degree course or not. For most students, however, you will not have to pay the tuition fee upfront. Instead you will be allowed to apply for a low interest loan from the Student Loans Company to pay the fee. You can apply for the exact amount of the cost of the tuition fee and the Student Loans Company will pay the money direct to the University. Any student who does not apply for a loan to cover the full cost of the tuition fee will be required to pay the tuition fee at the start of the course to be able to complete registration. International Students pay the full fee of 11,450 for Training Bursaries PGCE Subject / Specialism PhD/EdD Masters 1st Class Degree 2:1 / Masters Degree 2:2 Degree Primary 9,000 5,000 9,000 5,000 0 Physics Physics with Mathematics Mathematics 20,000 15,000 20,000 15,000 12,000 Chemistry Modern Foreign Languages English Geography 9,000 5,000 9,000 5,000 0 Biology Core Science Citizenship Social Science * All figures are for unless otherwise stated, and may be subject to change.

13 pgce 13 Additional Government Support Available to PGCE Students Student Loans Students may still apply for loans even though they are receiving a training bursary tuition fee loan of 9,000 paid direct to the University maintenance loan of up to a maximum of 5,500 All loans are liable for repayment once earnings rise above 21,000. Student Grant Students may apply for a maintenance grant of up to 3,250 depending on their circumstances. You can apply through your main student finance application. You can only get a maintenance grant if your household income is assessed. This means Student Loans Company will look at your household income and work out how much money you will be entitled to. You can find further information and application details for these student loans and the maintenance grant online Council Tax Full-time PGCE students are exempt from Council Tax.

14 14 University of Leicester School of education The University and the City of Leicester The University Library is a major research library, providing access to over a million printed volumes and a wide range of electronic journals and information resources via the web. The University s David Wilson Library. About the City of Leicester Leicester is lively and diverse city and the tenth largest in Britain. It has all the activities and facilities you would expect, with a friendly and safe atmosphere. The city centre is just a short walk from campus so you ll never be far from the action. Leicester s diverse heritage is reflected in a dazzling array of festivals and cultural experiences including the largest Diwali celebrations outside India, the UK s longest running Comedy Festival, the eclectic Summer Sundae Music Festival, and the University s hugely successful book festival Literary Leicester. Recent developments have led to the opening of the world-class Curve Theatre and Phoenix Square Independent Arts Centre in the new Cultural Quarter, which complement Leicester s existing array of cinemas, theatres, museums and galleries. The sparkling Highcross complex features 110,000 square metres of retail therapy, bars, cafés and restaurants. For those with independent tastes Leicester Lanes houses a variety of boutiques and specialist shops. As you would expect from a true student city, there is a huge range of bars, clubs and live music venues that cater for all kinds of tastes. Food lovers are treated to a fantastic selection of restaurants, with specialities available from every corner of the world. We are passionate about our city and so are our students, many of whom settle here after graduation. About the University Some universities consider their primary purpose to be high quality research, others concentrate on excellent teaching. Here at Leicester we think that the two are not only complementary, they re inseparable. We believe that teaching is more inspirational when delivered by passionate scholars engaged in world-changing research and that research is stronger when delivered in an academic community that includes students. We think that a university should be about empowering people to explore what they don t know. We achieve this through passionate, dedicated research and teaching. When we were named University of the Year for by the Times Higher Education, the judges

15 pgce 15 applauded Leicester s very different approach, calling us elite without being elitist. Of Britain s top 15 universities only one Leicester exceeds its government benchmarks for inclusivity. Highcross Leicester. Our dedication to providing an excellent student experience can be seen in our consistent performance in the National Student Survey. Since the launch of the survey in 2005, Leicester has consistently featured amongst the top-10 universities in England for student satisfaction. With these ideas at heart, Leicester is reframing the values that govern academia and redefining what a university needs to be in the 21st century; we are constantly finding new ways of being a leading university. The Showcase Cinema at the Highcross Leicester.

16 Contact Details If you have an enquiry which the webpage does not answer, please contact the appropriate PGCE office: e: t: e: t: and 3689 f: w: All information in this brochure was correct at the time of going to press. However, changes and developments are part of the life of the University, and alterations may occur to the programmes and services described in this brochure. University of Leicester Leicester LE1 7RH UK This brochure was printed by Print Services, University of Leicester, using vegetable based inks on FSC certified stock 4198_02/12