The 14-19 PGCE  in Society, Health and Development is an innovative and intensive one-year programme preparing graduates for the demands of teaching the 14-19 age range in the Secondary and Further Education sectors. Candidates will be awarded a PGCE and recommended for Qualified Teacher Status, enabling them to teach in schools. The programme is also designed to provide a strong foundation for working in the Lifelong Learning sector, especially FE and candidates will also be eligible to become a member of the Institute for Leaning and gain Qualified Teacher Learning and Skills status.

The course is organised in partnership with Schools and Further Education colleges where student teachers spend 24 out of the 36 weeks teaching. Supporting the student teacher in two placements are specially trained school and FE mentors as well as University tutors.

School and FE College Experience

Teaching experiences include opportunities to teach GCSE, A-level, BTEC Diploma Programmes and the new Diploma in Society, Health and Development, and may include Key Stage 3 in a second subject.

Students will teach concurrently in a secondary school and FE college.

The aim of both teaching experiences is that they should be progressive, giving student teachers scope for reflection and time to develop a range of appropriate teaching styles and strategies. Teaching experience is interwoven with the University-based part of the course, and theory and practice are fully integrated, offering student teachers opportunities to develop their own understandings, skills and knowledge. The subject mentor, working with student teachers, is crucial to the development of reflective practitioners, providing them with opportunities to try out particular skills in a safe environment, planning lessons and evaluating performance.

There will be opportunities for students to undertake research and teaching in a range of settings, which may include settings other than schools and colleges related to the field.

University-Based Teaching

The sessions in the University focus on two areas: subject studies and professional studies.

Professional Studies

Professional studies sessions aim to inform student teachers about aspects of professional practice which are central to their work, whatever their subject, including pastoral care, behaviour management, meeting the needs of individual learners and groups, and pupil assessment.

Subject Studies in Society, Health and Development

Society, Health and Development is one of the Government’s new ‘lines of learning’ and relates to one of 17 new Diplomas for the 14-19 age range.  Within this ‘line’ there are 4 sectors working together: children and young people, social care, community justice and health. These involve work in two related strands: practical concept-based workshops and lecture/seminars, which together enable student teachers to develop a clear personal rationale, and practical strategies for teaching Society, Health and Development in the Secondary and Further Education sectors. In the practical workshops, student teachers examine and explore key concepts that underpin the various curricula and syllabi for Society, Health and Development.

These sessions enable student teachers to relate their experience and expertise to the needs of students in the 14-19 age range by inquiring into and challenging their own assumptions and patterns of thinking and working.

The lecture and seminar programme seeks to develop student teachers’ knowledge and understanding of major contemporary issues in this field of education.

Additional subject teaching – in order to meet the requirements for coverage of age phases in education, and to teach the required number of hours to pass the programme, candidates will be given the opportunity to teach a second subject or diploma line. These could include PSHE and Citizenship at Key Stage 4, and Public Services in F.E. settings.

What qualifications do I need?

You must possess a degree by the time the programme starts. The degree should be in a subject related to children and young people, social care, community justice or health or in some exceptional cases an unrelated degree if you have worked in employment related to Society, Health and Development. We welcome candidates with experience in the statutory and voluntary services sector particularly where this work has enhanced your knowledge, skills and understanding in the area of Society, Health and Development.
 

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