Geography PGCE

Working with pupils in the university

The course aims to prepare you to teach Geography to all ages and abilities in the secondary school (KS3 and KS4) with planned opportunities for enrichment in post – 16 contexts.

Who is the course designed for?
The programme will suit people who aspire to become excellent geography teachers and want to combine their learning through practice, with an understanding of some of the theory underpinning effective teaching & learning. We aim for reflective and dynamic practitioners who are committed to promoting the learning of all pupils in their classes and to helping every youngster make progress in geography.

How does the training take place?
The full–time, one year, course starts in early September and continues through to the end of June, with breaks over Christmas and Easter. It aims, through a combined effort from the university and the partnership schools, to develop your subject knowledge in geography and skills for teaching through a range of approaches: workshops, seminars, lectures and demonstrations, fieldwork and micro-teaching activities, independent and group research and through reading and writing activities. Recent trends in teaching and learning approaches are emphasised including the application of information technology, and you will participate in the design of fieldwork, project work and assessment.

Are there any particular features of the course?

• The effective modelling of good practice by the tutors
• The use of small/informal subject seminar and workshop groups
• An intensely practical approach grounded in a sound understanding of the theory
• Professional Themes in mixed subject groups
• A close partnership with a large number of schools
• The support of trained mentors
• Strong and individualised support from the University subject tutors
• Opportunity to gain the ‘Open Country’ Award
• Local fieldwork with pupils

The central focus of the course is on teaching Geography in a challenging yet accessible way, understanding how children learn. At the same time it aims to produce 'reflective practitioners'; and so personal, critical reflection and evaluation form a key part of the course.

If someone is interested in this course, how would you recommend them prepare for the course?

• Spend some time in one or more secondary schools, observing geography teachers and working with pupils. Include a visit to a comprehensive school. Reflect on what makes a ‘good’ lesson
• Broaden your knowledge of geography, especially of areas covered in the school curricula with which you are less familiar
• Read the National Curriculum for Geography and the Standards for the award of Qualified Teacher Status
• Keep up-to-date with your general world knowledge.

Teacher quote

"It was the single most rewarding academic pursuit that I have ever undertaken…. The inspirational tutors made the process highly enjoyable and struck an excellent balance between the study of the theory of teaching and learning and practical guidance" Paul Randell, Daily Express 2008; (currently teacher of Geography at a local school; PGCE trainee 2003 – 2004)

Anne Srokosz

The course aims to prepare you to teach Geography to all ages and abilities in the secondary school with planned opportunities for enrichment in post – 16 contexts. The course aims, through a combined effort from the university and the partnership schools, to develop your subject knowledge in geography and skills for teaching through a range of approaches: workshops, seminars, lectures and demonstrations, fieldwork and micro-teaching activities, independent and group research and through reading and writing activities. Recent trends in teaching and learning approaches are emphasised including the application of information technology, and you will participate in the design of fieldwork, project work and assessment.

The course has two closely linked parts: School Based Experience (two thirds of the total time) and University Based Experience (one third of the total time). During the course, you will spend time in two placement schools from our partnership group. Whilst on placement, you will work closely with your subject mentor and experience lesson observation, team teaching, working with small groups and teaching whole classes of pupils. University-based work is mainly subject-focused but also contains 'Professional Themes' which are common to all subjects and taught in mixed subject groups. Time spent in the University enables us to prepare you for your placements, evaluate your school-based work and plan ahead; and it allows you to share your experiences with other trainee teachers.

Below is an outline of the course:

Fieldwork!

• Preconceptions, personal experiences, why & how school geography is taught.
• The context of geography teaching
• The National Curriculum and National KS3 Strategy
• Planning lessons and creating medium term plans
• Geographical Enquiry
• Using ICT to enrich geography teaching
• Using resources, maps, textbooks, worksheets...
• Coursework at A2 – work with sixth form students
• 14 – 19 curricula & pathways
• Marking / introduction to assessment – formative & summative
• Managing classrooms and pupils behaviour
• Trainee presentations
• Catering for diversity: teaching pupils with English as an additional language, differentiation & 'Every Child matters'
• Literacy & Numeracy
• Teacher talk, pupil talk – instructing, explaining, questioning & discussing
• Evaluating your teaching
• Getting a job
• Planning for fieldwork, local area fieldwork with Southampton School
• Assessment & target setting KS3, KS4, post-16
• Revisiting classroom management issues
• Creativity & cultural geography (inc film, music, poetry, art etc)
• GIS & OS resources
• Enquiry revisited, problem solving, thinking skills
• Geography in the wider curriculum (citizenship, ESD)
• The NQT year and professional development
• More fieldwork!
• Group presentations and course evaluation

Quotes from current and previous trainees

"Amongst other things, I particularly enjoyed working with a great group of trainees."

"I love the ‘practice as you preach’ approach – everything supported with ideas for practical application. This really helped me to internalise

the theory." "The school have made me feel very welcome, supported and encouraged"

"The support and feedback in geography has been great"

"We’ve done a really good mix of activities to use in school along with theory".

"There was plenty of opportunity to reflect and share experiences with others and the availability of support and advice from tutors was excellent"

You will be assessed in a number of ways. This will be based on your teaching, ICT skills, presentations and written assignments. You will receive thorough preparation for these and they are all designed to develop your knowledge and understanding of the why and how of effective geography teaching.

Careers Prospects:

Teaching is a rewarding profession in more ways than one, offering fantastic career prospects and development opportunities. The variety of potential career paths available can see you enjoy all kinds of experiences, roles and responsibilities. In secondary schools you can move up the management structure to gain responsibility as a head of department or head of faculty.

Ultimately, you could progress to a senior management position such as deputy or assistant head and/or headteacher - at which point you would have overall responsibility for the management of a school and the education its pupils receive.

For more information on Funding, please click here.

Click here for a list of "Frequently Asked Questions regarding Applications".

Click here for fees related Frequently Asked Questions.

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

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