11-18 PGCE Design and Technology
Design and Technology
Course code: W9X1
Mode of study: Full time
Location: Canterbury Campus
Introduction
The 11-18 PGCE in Design Technology (product design pathway: involving work in resistant and compliant materials), is an innovative and intensive nine month programme preparing graduates for the demands of teaching the 11-18 age range in the Secondary sector. You will be awarded a PGCE and recommended for Qualified Teacher Status, enabling you to teach in schools. The course is organised in partnership with Schools where you spend a total of 24 weeks teaching within the 36 week long programme.
Teaching and Learning Methods
Your learning takes place for 12 weeks in the University, where you will experience a mixture of lectures, seminars, tutorials and practical workshops. These will prepare you for professional placement and help you to reflect on professional and academic issues in relation to your own development. During the 24 weeks on placement, which are mostly based in two secondary schools, you will learn through a combination of observation, individual, group and whole class teaching, discussions with mentors, attendance at school training events and professional meetings.
Content
Professional Placement – Module 1
Teaching experiences include opportunities to teach Key Stage 3 Design Technology, GCSE, A-level and other DT related courses depending upon the department. You will mainly teach your specialist subject: product design: resistant materials,
or textiles. You will also have the opportunity to teach the other areas of DT that are not your specialism and may include graphics and control
e.g. electronics.
You will teach on two main secondary school placements. You will work during placement with a curriculum mentor, who provides opportunities for student teachers to practise particular teaching, learning and assessment techniques and develop understanding and skills in a safe practice environment through planning lessons, teaching and evaluating performance.
Professional Studies – Module 2
Professional studies sessions aim to inform you about aspects of professional practice which are central to your work, whatever your subject, including pastoral care, learning and assessment theory, behaviour management, meeting the needs of individual pupils and groups and inclusion.
Curriculum Studies in DT - Module 3
Curriculum studies sessions work in two related strands: practical concept-based workshops and lecture/seminars, which together enable you to develop a clear personal rationale, and a range of strategies for teaching Design Technology in the Secondary school. In the practical workshops, you examine and explore key concepts that underpin the pedagogical approaches to teaching and learning Design Technology and its associated various curricular and examination specifications. Guided Students’ discussions and presentations form a large part of the learning strategies utilised in this module.
Entry Requirements
In addition to the entry requirements you will need the following:
- A degree in a subject related to Design Technology (this may include but is not restricted to product/industrial design, textiles, graphics, engineering, model making, jewellery, furniture, 3D art and design, architecture).
We welcome candidates with experience in an education setting and/or employment or voluntary work relevant to the subject area, particularly where this work has enhanced your knowledge, skills and understanding in an aspect of Design Technology.

