School of Education and Continuing Studies (SECS)

Science Enhancement Courses

Course Introduction

The science enhancement courses are 10 day courses that are designed  for graduates with science based degrees to supplement, and boost,  their subject knowledge outside their specialist areas. Enhancement courses are offered in Chemistry or Physics. You must be intending to study on an Initial Teacher Training course in Secondary Science, and be able to secure such a place by the time the Enhancement Courses start.

Course Aims

The courses are designed to enable you reflect on, and boost, your subject knowledge in these areas so that you will be more confident teaching and discussing these topics whilst teaching on placement.

Course Outline

This is a full time course which normally runs in the last week of August and the first week of September. The course will normally run Monday - Friday, but also may have an Independent Study Day. The day is normally split in to two halves of about 2.5 hours each and is very practical in nature. The courses are delivered by experienced teachers.

Assessment

There is no formal assessment; however, to meet the requirements of conditional offers, graduates must have good attendance.

Entry Requirements

Applicants must hold an offer of a PGCE place by the beginning of the course.  They will also need to have GCSE Grade A-C (or O Level) in Mathematics and English (or equivalent).

Finance Details

Trainees on the Science Enhancement Courses will not be required to pay course fees. All course fees will be paid directly by the Training and Development Agency for Schools (TDA). The institutions delivering the enhancement course will not charge additional 'top-up' fees.

All participants will be eligible to receive a bursary whilst undertaking the course. Payments to participants will be made in accordance with DfES rules and systems currently in place.

Admission/Application

Applications are welcome from all sectors of our society and the Partnership is particularly keen to support groups from ethnic minorities.