Primary PGCE

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To get a view of some of the training aspects of the teaching course .

A course for the 21st century

The Primary PGCE began in 1998. It was designed to meet the needs and challenges of the education environment for the 21st century. We believe that if you come to Southampton you will find the course exciting and inspirational. You will find yourself in a supportive environment, linked to high grade work in research, curriculum development and educational policy. We pride ourselves on the practicality of our course but we also believe that tomorrow's teachers must be committed to excellent standards of achievement for learners. If you would like to be carefully guided, intellectually excited and fully supported by experienced tutors and teachers, then you should join us in Southampton.

High standards

The PGCE programme attains a nationally recognised high standard. Our teacher programmes are regularly inspected by OfSTED. In recent OfSTED inspections (2001 and 2003) we have been highly praised. Teaching was described as "outstanding" and "of very good quality" and trainees were thought to ‘acquire essential knowledge and skills at the time they need them’. They also recognised that there is ”a high level of coherence between university based and school based elements of the course” and that a ‘thriving partnership has developed between the university and its partner schools’ whilst our tutors are “well qualified and provide excellent mentoring." Recent inspections by the QAA have awarded School of Education programmes a maximum score of 24/24 points for the quality of our learning, teaching and support and commitment to students.

Working with schools

Planned and delivered in close collaboration with practising teachers in local primary schools, the primary course introduces you to the whole primary curriculum while providing a secure basis for you to learn how most effectively to plan, teach and assess subjects of the National Curriculum and to organise and manage a classroom. You will be encouraged to develop ‘excellence and enjoyment’ in your teaching and children’s learning as recognised in the Primary National Strategy as well as the National Literacy and Numeracy Strategies. Through a variety of learning contexts you will gain the confidence, skills and knowledge to feel well prepared for your future career in the classroom. You will also learn how to access and assess research and inspection evidence and be expected to use this information as a basis for your approach to teaching.

Special Features

Masters Level Accreditation

The Postgraduate Certificate in Education is accredited at Masters level and we expect most trainees to achieve this. The university based teaching and school based placements both reflect and operate at this level. You will be expected to use research evidence to inform your practice and undertake a small scale research project. You will be supported in this aspect of the course through a specific research training programme led by senior research staff within the School of Education. However we acknowledge that some trainees who may nevertheless go on to be excellent classroom practitioners may for a number of reasons not attain this level of accreditation. Those graduates who do not achieve at Masters level will be awarded a Professional Certificate in Education provided they have met the course requirements and Professional Standards for QTS.

French Specialism

In light of the National Languages Strategy which offers all Key Stage 2 children the entitlement to study a foreign language by 2010, the University of Southampton also offers French as a specialist subject on the PGCE (primary) course. Trainees who have at least A-level or equivalent qualifications/experience in French undertake a course which is designed to develop their skills and their ability to teach French in the primary classroom. Part of the course involves a four-week placement in a French school with a link to a French university. Travel and accommodation costs for this are met for the trainee and a reciprocal arrangement exists for trainees in France.

Please note that all applications for the French specialism must be made using code XR11. Applicants who are interested in the French specialism, but would be happy to follow the generalist course if this is full, should apply for XR11 as their first choice and X100 as their second choice.

Dr Keira Sewell

Joanne Wright
Michael Fletcher
Kathy Mason
Alex Woodgate-Jones
Monty Paul
Deirdre Renwick
Dr Charis Voutsina
Harvey Grout

The essential content of the course is as follows:

1. Teaching and Learning

2. Core Subjects

• English
• Mathematics
• Science
• ICT

3. Foundation and other subjects

• Art
• Design and Technology
• Geography
• History
• Music
• Personal, Social and Health Education (PSHE)
• Physical Education (PE)
• Religious Education (RE)

School Based Training

School based training is central to the course and has been designed to offer you a carefully structured progression in supportive school, environments and forward looking schools. You will have the opportunity to work in two consecutive age ranges with the primary phase (5-11yrs) in at least three schools and spend some time in a Foundation Stage classroom. The PGCE works co-operatively with a range of partnership schools based throughout Southampton, Hampshire, Portsmouth, Dorset, Bournemouth, Poole, Wiltshire and the Isle of Wight.

Please note that we expect that most trainees will have to travel some distance on at least one placement, and are required to fund their own travel.

Click here for a sample timetable of the course.

Your progress and attendance will be continuously assessed throughout the course both in University and on school placements. This takes a variety of forms. You are encouraged to develop your skills in self evaluation and critical reflection. Other assessment includes formal academic assignments, monitored directed activities and your work in schools. By the end of the course you are required to meet the Professional Standards for Qualified Teacher Status and all other course requirements.

You will also be required to successfully complete the computer delivered QTS skills tests in Literacy, Numeracy and ICT. This is a TDA requirement for the award of QTS. Our own test centre is based on the Highfield campus.

Equal opportunities and diversity

The University confirms its commitment to a comprehensive policy of equal opportunities for students, in which individuals are selected and treated on the basis of their relative merits and abilities and are given equal opportunities within the University. The aim of the policy is to ensure that no prospective student or trainee should receive less favourable treatment on any grounds which are not relevant to good academic ability and attainment for students. The University is committed to a programme of action to make the policy fully effective. Those involved in the selection process are required to uphold the policy of the University when considering applications. Additionally, the PGCE (Primary) programme positively acknowledges the value of diversity in the teaching workforce and welcomes applications from candidates from a range of backgrounds.

General Information for Applicants

Your Degree

Before joining the PGCE Course you need to have a good Honours degree. The minimum qualification considered is a 2.2 degree awarded by a British University or by the CNAA, or an equivalent qualification. The majority of students accepted onto the course hold a 2.1 Degree. We consider applicants with a 2.2 degree where they can demonstrate particular strengths in other respects (e.g. other qualifications, extensive experience).

We accept a wide range of degree subjects, but expect applicants to demonstrate the relevance of their degree to primary teaching and the National Curriculum.

We consider strong applicants who have a significant amount of French in their degree or those who can demonstrate their expertise through other qualifications or experiences as suitable candidates for the specialism in French.

If you have already graduated, you will be asked to provide your original certificates at interview. If you are still at University, we would expect you to provide an academic reference from a tutor who is familiar with your work.

Your school-level qualifications

Applicants must have GCE 'O' level or GCSE passes (Grades A-C), or equivalent, in English Language and Mathematics. You also need to have passed GCSE Science (grades A-C) or equivalent, preferably double science. We expect you to demonstrate a range of subjects at this level which will support you in teaching the primary curriculum.

You will be asked to provide your original GCSE (or equivalent) certificates at interview. A level (or equivalent) qualifications are also considered.

Candidates with Access qualifications should provide full details of subjects and level.

Where applicants are currently studying for a GCSE (equivalent) in a required subject, we are happy to consider you, but any place offered would be conditional on a successful outcome.

Applicants with Scottish qualifications should have at least grade 3 at standard grade (from 1986) or C at ordinary grade (until 1985), or C at Higher grade or above.

Applicants with Irish qualifications should have a Leaving Certificate pass at grade C or above (ordinary) or at grade D or above (honours). Please note that we do not accept 'Social and Scientific' as a Science subject.

PGCE Primary Admissions Policy

Your experience

We consider it vital that applicants understand the nature of primary teaching and the extent of the class teacher’s day-to-day work. Applicants must therefore must be able to demonstrate experience of children and primary schools, and be able to discuss this experience at interview. Working with children in a different capacity (such as youth group work or sailing instruction) is very valuable, but we would recommend strongly that some experience of the school environment is also obtained.

Many applicants have extensive and varied work experience in a wide range of fields. This can be very valuable for teaching, and we would encourage you to refer in your application to the skills and abilities that you have gained in other contexts.

You will also be expected to demonstrate on your application form and at interview:

• a basic level of skills in numeracy
• the ability to communicate clearly and effectively in both written and spoken English
• experience in using basic ICT skills.

Applying for a Place on our PGCE course

Submitting your application

As a prospective PGCE student you must contact the GTTR directly for information . All applications are made centrally and we are unable to provide application forms. Course vacancies across the country can be checked from this site. All forms are available for downloading as well as facilities for on-line applications. You can also monitor the progress of your application from this site.

Further general information and application forms are available via the GTTR.

Other useful information is available on the Training and Development Agency (TDA) website.

• Submitting Your application
• Frequently Asked Questions
• Fees related Frequently Asked Questions

For more information on Funding, please click here.

Students are required to have an IELTS level of 6.5 / TOEFL level of 600, or equivalent standard of English.
Click for more information on language requirements

Details on how to apply for the Primary PGCE are available here...

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