About this course
- Entry year: 2012/13
- Course code: G1X1
- Applications: GTTR
- Level: Postgraduate
- Department: Education
- Campus: Frenchay
- Duration: One year full-time
- Delivery: Full-time
- Study Abroad: No
- Programme leader: Alison Fletcher
Introduction
The Secondary Postgraduate Certificate in Education is a one academic year (36 week) course that trains graduates to be secondary school teachers of Mathematics.
If you need to boost your subject knowledge before starting the course you can do a Subject Knowledge Enhancement (SKE) course. You can only apply to do this after receiving an offer of a place on the PGCE.
The PGCE programme has been designed to train teachers for the full secondary age phase (11-18). Trainees are assessed against the standards for Qualified Teacher Status (QTS) in two key stages, normally KS3 and KS4. In the first half of the autumn term, some trainees may seek to change this to Key Stage 4 and post-16, this will be subject to discussion with the Programme Leader.
If you have an infectious enthusiasm for mathematics and enjoy working with young people then we are looking for people just like you! The ability to interpret numbers, calculate, handle statistical information and problem solve are essential skills in everyday adult life - you could help young people acquire these skills. We need mathematics teachers who can motivate, inspire, challenge and communicate their passion for mathematics. The PGCE Secondary Mathematics course at UWE will support you in becoming a confident, competent, reflective mathematics teacher.
The course is active and practical allowing trainees to develop professional competence through work undertaken in schools and in the University. Trainees work with young people, develop their expertise in their specialist subject area, share and discuss educational issues and study relevant educational research. The course is just the beginning of what we hope will be a process of continual professional development throughout a challenging and rewarding career.
Our Secondary PGCE programme has recently been graded Outstanding by Ofsted (2011).
Find out more about what PGCE Secondary Education at UWE has to offer in terms of teaching quality, staff expertise and your student experience.
Structure
Content
The course is part of the Department of Education's programme for Initial Teacher Training. Units studied are:
- Enabling Learning
- Meeting Curriculum Challenges
- Becoming a Teacher
These units are studied in both the school and the University-based parts of the course, the work on each site being complementary.
During the 36 week course you will address the various aspects of learning and teaching mathematics - how you learn and, through reflection, how young people might learn, as well as factors which may inhibit their learning. Sessions will involve you in workshops, discussion and informal lectures.
You will spend 12 weeks in the University where you will have access to a well stocked mathematics section of the resources centre that has a range of resources and equipment including videos, calculators, structural apparatus, computers, books and mathematical journals, house networked PCs and a variety of stand alone computers. Mathematics teaching staff and technicians are on hand for help and support.
Work in schools is an integral part of the course. You will gain teaching experience in two schools where you will have opportunities to try out your ideas and further your learning skills and experience of mathematics teaching. You will work alongside teachers and student colleagues with small groups and individuals as well as engaging in whole class teaching. In each school there is a mathematics subject mentor who has primary responsibility for your day-to-day work and study. Your subject mentor will support you in your learning to teach, assess and manage classes in mathematics.
Throughout the course you will:
- engage in interesting and challenging mathematical starting points, reflecting on your own work and the nature of mathematical activity
- consider how learning environments appropriate to learners of all abilities can be created
- focus on specific issues related to the mathematics classroom, for example, the National Curriculum, numeracy, ICT and mathematics, special educational needs, differentiation and progression, the cross-cultural nature of mathematics, pupil assessment, language, and the teaching of mathematics at post-16 level
- explore strategies for the effective management of learners and resources, including ICT, in the classroom situation
- consider different teaching and learning styles, for example whole-class interactive teaching, problem solving, practical and investigative activity
- use your ability and initiative to create starting points which enable traditional areas of mathematics to be explored in interesting ways
- critically evaluate existing resources for mathematics, including computer software
- work at enhancing your own knowledge and understanding in mathematics and ICT with respect to the National Curriculum, National Strategy, and the 14-19 curriculum, including AS/A2 level
If you have the knowledge and the passion to teach Mathematics then this PGCE course is for you.
Hear what our students think about their time at UWE.
Teaching and learning
Personal support
We recognise that embarking on a new course of study can sometimes be quite a challenging undertaking. Students have three main sources of support and information from the University during the course: firstly there is the Group Tutor in their subject area, secondly each student is allocated a Personal Tutor and thirdly any student can get support on a range of issues from the Department Student Adviser.
Find out more about our academic staff, their teaching expertise and research interests.
Assessment
In order to pass the course, trainees are required to pass each unit. They are assessed on a number of written assignments and also on classroom practice against the standards specified by the Secretary of State for the award of QTS. Before the end of the course it is recommended that trainees take the computer-based QTS skills tests in Numeracy, Literacy and ICT which are set by the Training and Development Agency (TDA).
Special Features
Placements
You will spend 24 weeks on placement: a total of eight weeks in one placement during the autumn term and 16 weeks in a second placement during the spring and summer.
As well as teaching, the programme includes contact time with a Senior Professional Tutor and a Subject Mentor, directed study time and personal study time.
There is an opportunity to spend time in a primary school and some students may also visit other institutions, such as special schools or colleges of further education.
Fieldwork
Trainees often say that one of the highlights of the PGCE year at UWE is going out on a mathematics trip! The mathematics group have enjoyed visiting the Maze museum at Symonds Yat in the Forest of Dean. Trainees also get the opportunity to go out on visits with their schools. Many have enjoyed 'Mathamagic' at Techniquest in Cardiff and some have accompanied students to A level events.
During University blocks we often invite pupils in from some of our Partnership schools to work with trainees in a different setting from the school classroom. In recent years trainees have run a 'Maths and Science' activity day for gifted and talented Year 9 and 10 pupils from one of our local inner-city schools, designed a mathematics trail around the campus, run an A level mathematics workshop day for Year 12 students and a study skills day for Year 13 students, and have contributed to various other conferences, master-classes and workshops.
Careers/further study
The Postgraduate Certificate in Education (PGCE) programmes now include 40 credits of assessment at Master's Level (Level M). For candidates who opt not to attempt the requisite credit at Level M, a Professional Graduate Certificate in Education will be available as an alternative award.
Training and Development Agency for Schools (TDA)
For general information about teaching as a career, including teachers' salaries and the professional standards set out by the TDA in 'Qualifying to Teach', contact the TDA by calling the teacher information line on +44 (0)845 60 00991 or visit the website www.tda.gov.uk.
For information about the national curriculum and subjects taught in secondary schools, visit the National Curriculum online www.nc.uk.net.
Hear from past UWE students about how studying here has enhanced their career prospects and opened up new opportunities.
Entry
Entry requirements
Applicants normally have:
- An honours (normally 2:2 minimum) with at least 50 per cent in a related subject (relating to the subject you want to teach)
- GCSE grade C or above in mathematics and English language. (University tests in mathematics and English language may be available for some applicants)
- To have spent a minimum of 1-2 weeks in a classroom observing mathematics being taught in a comprehensive school, within the previous two years.
Applicants with a non-mathematics degree or with less than 50 per cent mathematics content in a mathematics-related degree might be eligible for a pre-PGCE Mathematics Enhancement Course.
Additional requirements
Applicants must pass an initial selection process and short-listed candidates will be interviewed at the Department of Education. Entry is subject to satisfactory interview to assess professional suitability and subject to successful medical and Criminal Records Bureau (CRB) clearance. If you would like information regarding issues that could disqualify you from teaching training, please contact us on +44 (0)117 32 83333.
TDA Standards and requirements
Following the review of Standards and Requirements for Initial Teacher Training (ITT) by the Secretary of State in 2007, the Department of Education has designed its full-time courses to be compliant with the latest standards and requirements. For information on the latest standards please visit the TDA website.
General Teaching Council Registration
Please also note that since 1 September 2008 anyone commencing a course of Initial Teacher Training (ITT) in England leading to the award of Qualified Teacher Status is required to be provisionally registered with the General Teaching Council for England (GTCE). You will need to complete a suitability declaration to enable the Council to identify any reason which may prevent registration. At the point of the offer of a place on an ITT course at UWE, you will be sent a GTCE Suitability Declaration form which will need to be completed and returned to the University. Providing that this declaration meets the requirements you will be recommended to be registered with the GTCE. The Government has announced a proposal to abolish the GTCE but until Parliamentary legislation is enacted registration is still required.
For further information on Provisional Registration and the suitability assessment please visit the GTCE website.
Fees
For details about fees and the UWE Bursary, please see our fees and funding web pages.
How to apply
Please apply online at: www.gttr.ac.uk.
For further information
Page last updated 14 December 2011