Secondary PGCE

Welcome to the Secondary PGCE website. Here you will find information related to PGCE Entry generally and be able to click onto specific subject areas for detailed information.

Why apply to Southampton?

Southampton University Secondary PGCE runs a secondary PGCE in 10 different subjects. We work with a partnership of over hundred schools in eight local authorities and have a very good track record of moving successful trainees into employment, locally and beyond.

Want to find out more about the programme enrol for one of our open events. Candidates wishing to attend must register their contact details through the email contact.

PGCE Secondary Open Events 2009-10

Event	Where	When	Register
Employment Fair This event is aimed at PGCE trainees searching for jobs in 2010. A stand from the PGCE will be available to anyone interested in teaching to come and ask questions.	Garden Court, Highfield Campus	Wednesday 13 January 2010 12:00-4:00	No need to register - drop in session
Want a taste of a PGCE taught session? Taster sessions in January (possible English, Geography, History, IT, Music, RE, Science) You may be permitted to attend a taught session for one hour.	various rooms	January 4,5 January 11,12 January 18,19 January 25, 26 (morning only)	Numbers are strictly limited and all enquiries will be forwarded to tutors through educate@soton.ac.uk
Teacher Taster day - come and get a sense of what teaching might be like and find out more about the application process	Building 34: Lecture Theatre, Highfield Campus	Monday February 22 2010, from 1:00. E-mail educate@soton.ac.uk for further information.
Teaching in a shortage area? Interested in a career in IT, Mathematics,Music, MFL, RE, Science	Staff club	Wednesday 17 March 2010	educate@soton.ac.uk

Introduction - why choose Southampton?

The Secondary PGCE course at Southampton provides an excellent route into teaching. The course has consistently been rated highly by former trainees, and has been successful in a series of recent Ofsted inspections.

The course benefits from having well qualified and supportive tutors, who have an excellent blend of teaching experience, expertise in initial teacher education and up to date and relevant knowledge of developments in education and the world of educational research. The quality of training provided by this strong team is one of the key features in trainee evaluations during the course.

Aims of the course

We aim to help you become the best teacher that you can be. This involves developing appropriate professional values, being secure in your knowledge and understanding of your specialist subject, understanding how best to turn your subject matter into forms that are engaging and challenging for pupils that will aid their learning.

We also wish to develop teachers who are reflective practitioners. As the futuregeneration of teachers, it is important that you are able to evaluate your own practice, seek ways to improve the experience of pupils in your charge, and contribute to the future development and debate surrounding both your own subject and education in general.

Course Structure

Click here to see a PDF of the Secondary PGCE timetable.

The course is structured around 6 phases. Phases 1-3 occur before Christmas.

Phase 1 - induction into the course and a week observation in a primary / secondary or 16+ setting. Subject tutors advise when offering places where the preliminary experience should be carried out.

Phase 2 - 5 weeks split between university and school; two university days are subject specific, followed by three days in school 1. In addition to subject development work, the university and school offer a professional themes programme that enables all trainees to become better acquainted with cross- curricula issues such as behaviour management, special educational needs provision, health education and other themes.

Phase 3 - a seven week teaching placement in school 1. Phases 4-6 occur after Christmas

Phase 4 - 6 weeks split between university and school 2. One university day will focus on a Special Study topic (this is chosen by you and focuses on an area of general professional interest).

Phase 5 - a 13 week teaching placement in school 2.

Phase 6 - 3 week experience, mainly university based and used to consolidateand extend earlier experiences in the year.

For a Prospectus, please click here

For more information on Funding, please click here.

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

Assessment

You will be assessed formatively and summatively throughout the course. Individual subjects will set their own formative assignments that will deepen your understanding of key issues in your area. There will also be school based work that will build on and/or extend university based work.

During your school placements there will be monitoring of your progress and weekly target setting exercises to work on areas for development. This process will involve both your own evaluation and reflection and that of your mentor. There will be three formal review points of your teaching in the year. The first two review points are formative and outline your achievements and areas for development.

The final review statement is summative. To pass the course, this statement must indicate that your teaching is satisfactory or better.

In addition, to obtain QTS, you must pass successfully complete the computer delivered TDA QTS skills tests in Literacy, Numeracy and ICT. There is a test centreon the Highfield campus. These tests can be taken at any point during the year, and can be taken any number of times; to qualify for QTS prior to starting your first teaching post these tests must be done before the final exam board in June. It is advisable to take the tests early in the academic year. You are also required to submit two 6,000 word assignments. These contribute to the Masters level nature of the course, and if successful will provide 60 credits at M level.

One assignment will be focus on your own subject area and the other will focus on a Special Study topic.

Application and Interviewing

See individual subject areas for their particular application requirements. In general though, applicants will need a good degree in their subject area (or in a related degree).Prior experience of working with young people is not essential but is considered helpful.

At interview applicants will be required to do a short presentation, undertake a written task and be formally interviewed. Some subjects do require that you visit a school prior to interview.

The Southampton PGCE encompases a very broad range of the Secondary School curriculum. This includes: