PGCE Secondary (English)

at University of Plymouth

Year 1

You’ll spend two thirds of your PGCE on placement with 24 weeks in secondary school and five days in primary school, supported and supervised jointly by a school mentor and a faculty tutor. In addition to this you’ll cover modules on planning, assessment and teaching and you’ll also focus on the teaching of English itself. You’ll maintain professional development and subject knowledge profiles enabling you to chart your development in meeting the professional standards required by the Department for Education. Assessments are based around school experience and are designed to be learning experiences shared with other students, mentors and tutors. You’ll learn to draw on your experience of teaching as well as provide evidence of reading and reflection.
 

Core modules

Practical Teaching 1 (EPGS413)
This module gives students a wide experience of working with pupils and a greater familiarity with the work of the subject teacher. It will enable students to try out ideas and approaches for planning, teaching and assessing pupils and to gain confidence in themselves as teachers.
 

Introduction to Professional Teaching and Learning (EPGS615)
Induction to Professional Teaching and Learning helps trainees reorientate their specialist subject knowledge towards the requirements of their subject curriculum as well as the gain a perspective of the wider role of the teacher, including the legal and statutory requirements, and on the structures of the wider school curriculum.
 

Practical Teaching 2 (EPGS618)
This module gives trainees the opportunity to further practice and demonstrate their skills as a trainee teacher and to make the transition from 'trainee teacher' to 'beginning teacher' in a second school placement. School Practice will normally be for 17 weeks (five days in a Primary school and 16 weeks in a Secondary school) plus four Faculty days to review and share the experience.
 

Developing Subject Pedagogy (EPGS710)
This module develops the themes introduced in the Teaching & Learning module with greater attention to (i) structures for medium-term planning, and (ii) assessment within the subject curriculum, including the full range of external examinations, through a critical review of the research and literature in the learner's own subject area.
 

Professional Studies (EPGS719)
This module will introduce trainees to essential areas of knowledge and critique of professional values and school practice. It will inform and develop their capacity to reflect on key issues in education and classroom practice. It will also inform their thinking about particular issues that they will pursue in a written assignment.

Academic requirements

• GCSE grade 4/grade C (or equivalent) in English and mathematics.
• 2:2 or above hons degree or equivalent in an English subject or subjects or 50% of degree if joint hons. Must be from a recognised university (masters and PhDs also count towards entry requirements.
• There is also a requirement to pass minimum standards for literacy and numeracy.
   

English language requirements

• If English is not your first language then we’ll need evidence of your proficiency in English as follows:
• IELTS 7.0 overall with 7.0 in all four elements, or accepted equivalent English qualification as listed on our English language requirements.
   

International - £14,600