Course overview

GTTR Code - F8X1

Geography is a key subject of the secondary curriculum and teaching geography is an exciting, rewarding and challenging profession. Geography is a dynamic and relevant subject for all children to study and this course aims to equip you with the skills to make the teaching of it as interesting, fun and engaging as possible.

In this one-year course, your main concern will be with the development of your professional competence as a teacher of geography. In order to teach geography successfully, you will need to focus not only on the teaching of the subject itself, but also on developing an understanding of educational issues pertaining to teaching and learning, classroom interaction, the school curriculum and the school and society.

As well as becoming a competent classroom practitioner, you will need to be able to make informed decisions and to recognise the need for further personal and professional development, particularly where your subject knowledge is concerned.

At the end of this course you will receive a PGCE as well as the award of QTS.

There is also an option to study on this course at Masters level and accumulate 60 masters level credits, which can then be put towards a full Masters qualification when you are teaching.

How do I find out more?

For further information, please contact us (details above) or the course coordinator, Andrew Porter (andrew.porter@port.ac.uk).

For more information about Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) checks, please visit http://www.direct.gov.uk/en/Employment/Startinganewjob/index.htm.

Applications

Applications should be made through the GTTR (Graduate Teacher Training Registry).

Please apply online at www.gttr.ac.uk

T: 0871 468 0 469

Course content

You will study and learn about issues in geography education ranging from the theoretical to the practical and teaching both at the university and in school will feature discussion, collaborative work, individual work, experiential learning and the examination and analysis of materials. The course is essentially practical and two-thirds of your time will be spent in school where you will be working closely with mentors and other school staff and, of course, teaching geography!

Throughout the year you will be engaged in considering a range of subjects including:

• Subject Knowledge Enhancement
• ICT in the classroom
• Lesson and Scheme of Work Planning
• Classroom management
• Research into the pedagogy and psychology of learning geography
• Special Needs and Inclusion
• Assessment

The sessions at the university aim to model good practice in geography teaching and provide you with the knowledge, skills and resources to deliver exciting geography lessons in a school classroom. The course has been totally rewritten recently to reflect new curriculum developments in schools, best practice in teaching and excellence in geographical learning. Issues such as thinking skills, enquiry based learning, decision-making exercises and simulation and gaming are explored in detail to enable you to select the best teaching and learning strategies for the pupils in your classroom. These are supported with exemplar material currently being used in schools.

The Geography specific subject sessions are supported by a series of generic lecturers and seminars on educational issues and theories in mixed curriculum groups. There is also plenty of opportunity for subject knowledge and ICT enhancement whilst studying for your PGCE.

Throughout your training you will have the support of both university and school-based staff. Many of the school-based Geography mentors have worked within our partnership for several years and all offer high quality support and training in the school environment, through target setting, monitoring, assessment and classroom observations.

The programme offers a choice between the Professional and the Postgraduate route, with the latter allowing you to graduate with 60 M-level credits. Those of you working at Masters level on the course will also receive additional teaching and guidance to enable you to succeed at this level.

Career prospects

Successful completion of the PGCE in Geography will enable you to gain Qualified Teacher Status and will provide for a career in secondary teaching. Over 90% of our students each year gain employment with 60% of those getting jobs in our partnership schools.

Facilities and features

Our resources

Portsmouth has a reputation for providing a supportive and friendly atmosphere in which its students can quickly settle and enjoy their studies. You will have access to a full range of support services for personal issues and academic study. Personal tutors will assist with directing you to accessing support you may find helpful, while you will also have access to appropriate University resources, including our main library and computing facilities, which are open seven days a week.

The School of Education and Continuing Studies staff are all experts in a range of appropriate subject specialisms. Their enthusiasm and motivation means you will be encouraged to gain the most out of your time with us.

Entry requirements

The entry requirements for PGCE Geography are shown above, for more detailed information please contact:

Department: School of Education and Continuing Studies (SECS)
Tel: +44 (0)23 9284 5204
Email: secs.enquiries@port.ac.uk