PGCE (14-19)
FAQs
Level:
PGCE
Duration:
One year full-time
Location:
The programme is taught at the Canterbury Campus but a
significant amount of time is spent in school and FE
College.
Open
Events
Subject areas available:
(click on a subject for more information)Introduction
This innovative programme has now completed its third year following a successful pilot. It is designed to respond to recent and continuing national policy initiatives on 14-19 education. This dedicated one-year programme aims to produce a new flexible professional, capable of teaching vocational subjects to this age group. The programme prepares students for entry to teaching the 14-19 range across a range of contexts in both schools and colleges of Further Education and related settings.
About the programme
The programme provides the dual context placement experience to enable individuals to engage with learners and other professionals in a broad range of learning environments. Historically, student teachers have worked towards the achievement of both LLUK standards (the professional standards of Lifelong Learning UK required for teaching in Post Compulsory Education and Training) and Qualified Teacher Status. The University is currently seeking a renewal of dual accreditation in response to national developments, including the new qualification framework for the Lifelong Learning Sector.
The emphasis throughout the programme is on the development of student teachers as individual subject and vocational specialists and emerging professionals. To this end theory and practice are integrated and continuing support is provided by Canterbury Christ Church tutors and placement mentors.
The programme is organised in partnership with schools and FE colleges in geographical consortia in Kent, East Sussex and South East London. Supporting the teacher in placements are trained mentors as well as University tutors.
Entry Requirements
General Entry Requirements
The University requires all applicants for PGCE programmes to demonstrate that they meet the following national entry requirements, as set out by the Department for Education and Skills:
- that they are capable of meeting the Professional Standards for Qualified Teacher Status by the end of their training
- that they possess appropriate personal and intellectual qualities to be teachers
- that they have achieved a standard equivalent to a grade C in the GCSE examinations in English and mathematics
- that they meet national standards for physical and mental fitness to teach
- that they have not previously been excluded from teaching or working with children, and do not have a criminal background which might prevent them from working with children or young people
- that they can read effectively and can communicate clearly and accurately in spoken and written English
- that they hold, on entry, a degree awarded by a United Kingdom Higher Education institution or an equivalent qualification
Specific Entry Requirements
Candidates must possess a degree or equivalent qualification by the time the programme starts. A substantial part of the degree should normally be relevant to the subject specialism to be taken in the PGCE course, and this should be demonstrated in detail in the application by listing courses studied. Most successful candidates will have a degree in which 50% or more of the courses studied are relevant to the PGCE course applied for.
In exceptional cases, applicants who have a degree which is not in a directly relevant subject to the one they wish to teach may be considered if they have sufficient compensating experience which has enabled them to attain relevant degree level knowledge. Examples of significant compensating experience include:
- a candidate for Leisure and Tourism with a degree in another subject, who has worked in the Leisure and Tourism industry for several years
- a candidate for Applied Business with a degree in Engineering which included a large component of economics and business
We are seeking to recruit resourceful, adaptable, dedicated individuals willing to commit to a career in this rapidly developing 14-19 phase with its new partnerships, opportunities and challenges. Previous industrial or commercial experience in a relevant field is very useful because of the vocational nature of the subject area.
If you are in doubt about whether you meet the entry requirements, contact the Postgraduate Admissions Office at the University.
Content and Assessment
The 14-19 programme includes study in the specific subject areas and professional studies relevant to this phase. Student teachers will undertake investigations related to their work in the different contexts and will be assessed throughout by a range of methods including observations, presentations, placement based investigations and tasks and written assignments.
Teaching and Learning
Teaching approaches are varied and the programme is structured to support the needs of individuals. The main methods employed are tutorials with a focus on subject and professional matters; lectures and presentations from tutors and relevant specialists/professionals; tutor/mentor led sessions on a range of topics; student led individual and group presentations; conference workshops and practical workshops/sessions.
How to Apply
Applications for the full-time PGCE are made electronically via the Graduate Teacher Training Registry (GTTR) here.
There is no general closing date, but each course is closed when it becomes fully subscribed. Early application is strongly advised, both because some subject courses fill quickly, and because it will help you to plan for your PGCE course if you can get early confirmation of a place.
Tuition Fees
Interviews and Offers of a Place
14-19
Application forms are very important in the selection process. Applicants are advised:
- to provide details of all courses taken in their degree or degree equivalent qualification, including percentages of total study time for each course
- to write a carefully proofread and detailed personal statement which makes it clear why they want to become teachers and what relevant experience they have
- that recent graduates should make the university tutor who can provide most information about their academic work their first referee on the GTTR application
- that those who studied for their degree a long time ago should indicate how they have sustained their subject knowledge in the intervening period, and choose, as first referee a person, preferably a current employer, who can comment in detail on their aptitude for teaching
Those applicants selected are invited for interview as soon as possible after receipt of the application. Candidates are interviewed by University tutors and school teachers/FE lecturers in a process which includes an individual interview, a group activity and a written task. Some subjects have additional requirements which candidates will be advised of when invited for interview.
The interviews are intended to help applicants confirm their decision to apply to the University as well as to help the University make its selection. The activities are challenging, but, we hope, fun. Candidates are also supplied with information about the structure of the PGCE, teaching, learning and assessment on the programme, and school/FE placements. Candidates will be asked to provide information that will help the University find suitable school/FE placements. They are informed of the location of their school placements as soon as possible, and advised to live near their placement school.
Interviews for the full-time PGCE are held between November
and August for entry in September.
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