English
The English course is a research-led, reflective and exciting course presenting a balanced approach to language and literacy development.
We encourage critical reflection which will enable teachers to develop their own rationale for English in school. Fiction, drama, poetry, media and cultural studies, as well as elements of language study, are all given an important place on the course. There is an emphasis on academic reading and critical enquiry, as well as upon practical experience in the classroom; student teachers frequently share the benefits of their experiences and research with their peers in both formal and informal situations.
What are we looking for?
As this is an 11-19 course you will train to teach up to A Level. We will normally take into account the balance of your degree content and your profile of GCSE and A Level (or equivalent) subjects and results to assess your suitability for the programme.
You will need a degree that is predominantly English based, either in Language or Literature. If you have other related degree qualifications (such as in Law or in Journalism), we would like evidence of a strong engagement with literature and/or language-related work and that that you have read widely across a range of literature types, including Shakespeare.
Geography
Geography is an important and dynamic subject and has an important role in educating young people to live successfully in a diverse society and a changing world. This course will help you to develop teaching strategies and skills so that you can use your enthusiasm to interest and motivate pupils.
Sheffield offers excellent opportunities for geography PGDE student teachers and our course is regarded highly both locally and nationally. The course is planned to promote teaching as a research-based profession in which critical understanding is developed alongside practical competence. Alongside this, several of the schools supporting geography student teachers have been at the forefront of geographical education in this country for many years, and many are involved in innovative approaches to education.
What are we looking for?
You will need a degree in geography or have at least 50% of your degree in geography. As this is an 11-19 course we are also preparing students to teach up to A Level and we will normally take into account the balance of your degree classification and your profile of A Level results.
History
History plays a significant role in educating young people to become well informed and active participants in a diverse society. Our PGDE course will enable you to develop teaching strategies and skills so that you can use your knowledge and enthusiasm for history to engage and motivate pupils.
We see no divide between theory and practice. Our work in the University is intensely practical and your practice in school must be thoughtful and reflective. You will belong to a history subject group supported by university subject tutors with years of experience in teaching history in secondary schools. There will also be an opportunity to participate in a range of externally provided training including ‘Teaching the Holocaust’.
What are we looking for?
You will need a degree in history or have at least 50% of your degree in history. As this is an 11-19 course we are also preparing students to teach up to A Level and we will normally take into account the balance of your degree classification and your profile of A Level results.
Mathematics
Our PGDE in mathematics will help you share your enthusiasm for this interesting subject and to develop teaching strategies and skills that will empower the pupils to generate their own interest and motivation.
Mathematics teaching is constantly developing, now involving the use and application of digital technologies, you will gain practical experience in this area.
We see no divide between theory and practice. Our work in the University is intensely practical and your practice in school must be thoughtful and reflective. The mathematics PGDE course is organised around three themes:
In the university sessions, you will be actively involved in your learning, through leading seminars and presenting to your peers. We work closely with local schools and involve mathematics teachers from partnership schools who make significant contributions to the taught programme.
What are we looking for?
You will need a degree in mathematics or have at least 50% of your degree in mathematics. If your degree has less than 50% mathematics, we might still accept you, subject to your completion of a mathematics Subject Knowledge Enhancement course. As this is an 11-19 course we are also preparing students to teach up to A Level and we will normally take into account the balance of your degree classification and your profile of A Level results.
Languages
Languages teachers need to be enthusiastic, resourceful, innovative and imaginative in order to create an exciting environment for language learning. The PGDE Languages course is designed to enable you to respond to this challenge. It also takes account of the local and national policy contexts, encouraging an awareness of the many opportunities which exist to support language teaching and learning.
We will train you to be a reflective practitioner, and the academic masters-level work on the course fosters a deeper understanding and critical stance in relation to language pedagogy and teaching and learning in secondary schools.
What are we looking for?
As this is an 11-19 course we are preparing you to teach up to A Level and we will normally take into account the balance of your degree content and your profile of GCSE and A Level (or equivalent) subjects and results to assess your suitability for the programme.
Most applicants will have studied one or both languages as a major part of their degree and we expect a total of at least three months´ residence in an appropriate country. Native speakers may have a degree in another subject. They will, however, need to demonstrate an adequate level of spoken and written English. It is desirable for applicants to have spent time in a secondary school in the United Kingdom either working, volunteering or as a visitor and to have spent some time with the Languages department in particular.
Candidates for Mandarin, Russian, Japanese and Urdu courses should have competency in their second language to teach to at least Year 9 (14 years old) level. This is required as the listed languages are only taught in select schools across the country and finding placements and future employment can be difficult without the ability to offer a second language.
Science
The PGDE in science is offered in the following ways:
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Science with Biology
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Science with Chemistry
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Science with Physics
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Physics with Mathematics
Course overview
All science courses aim to prepare you with a passionate commitment to the subject which you are able to teach confidently and creatively to 11-19 year olds.
The Science with Biology, Chemistry or Physics courses are designed to prepare you to teach Balanced Science in the National Curriculum at Key Stage 3, and in your specialist subject at Key Stage 4 and post-16 courses. The Physics with Mathematics course is designed to prepare you to teach Physics at Key Stage 4 and post -16 and Mathematics at Key Stage 3 and 4.
The University teaching team has extensive science teaching experience across the science curriculum. Early in the course you will be introduced to a range of schemes and strategies currently in use in secondary science teaching and a range of teaching approaches will be explored. Other important aspects of work include lesson planning, laboratory safety and first aid issues for science teachers.
You will receive appropriate support through University taught sessions that are designed to enhance your subject knowledge together with your pedagogic content knowledge. This work is complemented by sessions to support your subject specialisms at KS3, 4 and post 16. Physics with Mathematics student teachers will work principally with fellow science student teachers, but will have sessions based with mathematics PGDE students as well. In all University-based sessions you are expected to be an active participant.
Coursework is practically oriented and closely related to teaching and learning.
What are we looking for?
As this is an 11-19 course we are preparing students to teach up to A-level and we will normally take into account the balance of your degree content and your profile of GCSE and A Level (or equivalent) subjects and results to assess your suitability for the programme.
It is usual to have a first degree which had at least half of its content in your science specialist subject (biology, chemistry or physics). We do accept graduates of other science-related disciplines, such as engineering, earth science, materials science, clinical disciplines and psychology. In such cases tutors can advise whether a subject knowledge enhancement course would be necessary prior to commencement of the course.
Physics with Mathematics applicants would usually be expected to have a physics, mathematics or engineering based degree, along with A Levels in physics and mathematics. All PGDE science student teachers, irrespective of degree subject, have curriculum 'gaps' to fill during the course. Because of this, a capacity for disciplined self-study is a characteristic of student teachers who do well. Other key personal characteristics are curiosity, perseverance, and organisation. If you are a graduate with these qualities in abundance you should thrive on the course.
School Direct
The University of Sheffield works in partnership with four clusters of schools to offer an additional route to a PGDE called School Direct. This route sees you working closely within a cluster of schools to complete your course.
School Direct runs alongside the Provider led PGDE and leads to the same qualification.
Sheffield Teacher Training Alliance (STTA)
Lead school: Silverdale School
Located in Sheffield.
Subjects offered are geography and mathematics.
