School of Education and Continuing Studies (SECS)
About PGCEs at Portsmouth
The PGCE has three interconnected strands: Curriculum Studies, Professional Studies and School Experience, where the skills and knowledge you gain in the taught sessions can be practised and built up under real-life teaching conditions.
The course lasts 36 weeks between September and June, with one third of the time spent in University-based sessions such as lectures, group participation and guided reading, and the remainder working in at least two of our partner schools. Trainees may also spend three weeks on our subject knowledge enhancement courses before PGCE study begins.
You will be supported by tutors while in the university, and by professional and subject mentors while in schools, encouraging the development of teaching skills specifically for the secondary sector and blending work-based learning experience and supervised teaching practice.
The strong relationship between partner schools and the School of Education and Continuing Studies means that over 80% of our trainees obtain jobs in the area.
What
you will study
In Curriculum Studies, you will focus on knowledge and understanding of your subject and of how pupils learn. This means you will learn to apply a variety of teaching and learning strategies, making use of the spectrum of concepts, resources, ideas, planning and techniques available to twenty-first century teachers. You will become familiar with the National Curriculum and other school documentation, and how best to operate within these frameworks.
The Professional studies strand develops your understanding of the social, historical, cultural and legal framework within which a school operates. You will also address issues in learning and teaching, and the use of Information and Communication Technology. This strand is delivered both in university and school environments by tutors and mentors.
Finally, School Experience allows you to apply what you have learned in a teaching environment. You will progress through phases, from observation of teaching to leading the class, under the guidance of your in-school mentors, ensuring you reach the levels of competence and confidence necessary for Qualified Teacher Status.
Assessment
The assessment procedures adopted throughout the course are mainly formative in nature and designed to ensure that trainees meet the Standards for Qualifying to Teach.
In each term you will be assessed on:
- The development of your teaching skills
- A formal assignment
- An interview in which you will demonstrate the evidence collected towards the standards including your subject knowledge and ICT enhancement
Throughout the course you will collate a portfolio of evidence based on schoolwork, observations of teaching, tasks and assignments.
Professional and Postgraduate training routes
All trainees begin on the Professional route to Qualified Teacher Status, but you will have the opportunity to apply for the Postgraduate Certificate in Education route, which enables you to achieve 60 credits at Masters level which can then be used towards a full Masters award when you are teaching.