Bradford College

Enrolment Dates

Course Overview

This course will provide you with a PGCE at Masters level and Qualified Teacher Status (QTS). Working closely with specialist staff in both College and placement schools and colleges, you will gain the knowledge, skills and understanding needed for a newly qualified teacher, based on the strengths of your own degree.

 he course is designed to help you to fulfil a wider teaching role (including that of pastoral care) within your chosen educational context. Throughout the course, we place particular emphasis on providing equal opportunities for all students working in a multi-racial society. In KS2/3 routes your course will provide you with skills covering the primary and secondary transition, where there is a great demand for specialist teachers. There is also the option of experience teaching within the 16-18 age range. Subject Knowledge Enhancement courses are available for Physics, Chemistry and Mathematics.

Course Structure

The course will develop your professional attributes, knowledge and intellectual qualities to the level required to be a successful newly qualified teacher. This will be achieved through theory and practice during your 120 days on school placement and 60 days in College. You will also have opportunities to research your specialist area and to familiarise yourself with the changing curriculum requirements in schools and colleges.

On the ICT route, there is close collaboration with Dixon's City Academy where the majority of this pathway is taught. Scientists attend a short field trip to improve their subject knowledge and to demonstrate and practice the skills required to organise out of school visits.
 

Modules Covered

Your time in College is devoted to extending your subject knowledge, preparing for and reflecting upon the work you do in school, and attaining 60 credit points (three modules) at Master's level through College assignments, which are all closely related to teaching and learning.

Learning Methods

The course builds upon the subject knowledge and independent study skills which, as a graduate, you will have already acquired. College-based sessions are also concerned with the professional skills which all teachers need. Course tutors work closely with managers, mentors and teachers in placement schools and colleges to provide you with advice and support for the progressive development of your teaching expertise

Teaching Methods

College sessions consist of lectures, seminars, tutorials, micro-teaching environments and, where relevant, workshop or laboratory work.

Assessment

Assessment involves the completion of Master's level assignments which lead to the award of the Postgraduate Certificate in Education at Pass, Merit or Distinction level. 

Successful completion of two placements (by meeting the required Standards) means you will be recommended for the award of Qualified Teacher Status (QTS).

There are no formal examinations on the course.

Work Placement/Fieldwork

Placements vary according to your chosen route and may involve primary schools, secondary schools, sixth form colleges and FE colleges as appropriate. You will work alongside experienced teachers and mentors who will provide advice and support. You will be introduced to your new role in stages, beginning with observation and work with individual pupils, then with small groups, eventually leading to your work with full classes.

What`s Next?

In this area of high demand, your employment opportunities are very good.

Did You Know?

Your future career will be built on a solid foundation of the highest academic standards of teaching and learning – as many of our teaching staff are experts in their fields.

Entry Requirements

A subject-appropriate good Honours First Degree at 2:2 or above (as detailed below) validated by a British university, or Council for National Academic Awards (CNAA), or a qualification accepted as equivalent by the Teaching Agency (TA). At least a GCSE (or equivalent qualification) at Grade C or above in Mathematics and preferably at Grade B in English. A satisfactory Enhanced CRB disclosure and health check are also required.  You should have recent and relevant experience in a school or equivalent educational setting. Your first degree must meet these requirements:

At least two weeks' secondary school experience in a appropriate age phase supported by documentary evidence.

You must have passed the QTS Professional Skills Tests (Literacy and Numeracy) before the start of the course.
 

Science - must be scientific in nature and reflect aspects of National Curriculum Science.

The College runs one year Physics and Chemistry enhancement courses for those who need to improve their Science prior to entry on to a PGCE course.
 

Physics with mathematics - 50% needs to be mathematically and scientifically based

Mathematics - 50% needs to be mathematically based

Computer Science - should include some aspect(s) of computer studies.

Citizenship - should ideally have studied of one or more of the following:  Politics, Economics, Law, Sociology, Social Policy, Global Development, Human Rights, Philosophy

Design (Food Technology) - should be in a relevant subject

Mathematics, Physics and Chemistry Subject Knowledge Enhancement courses - these are available for graduates intending to teach these subjects.  Their purpose is to develop your subject knowledge and understanding before you start an Initial Teacher Training course.

On the Computer Science route, there is close collaboration with Dixon's City Academy where the majority of this route is taught. Scientists attend a short field trip to improve their subject knowledge and to demonstrate and practise the skills required to organise out of school visits. 
 

*GTTR Codes:

Science F0X1; Physics F3X1; Physics with mathematics F3GX; Chemistry F1X1; Mathematics G1X1; Computer Science  G5X1; Citizenship L9X1; Design Technology D6X1.

Physics Teacher Training Scholarships

The Institute of Physics (IOP) has 100 teacher training scholarships worth £20,000 available to physics trainees starting their teacher training in the 2013/14 academic year. To be an IOP Scholar you will need to have outstanding knowledge of school-level physics and the potential to become an inspirational physics teacher. Each scholarship also includes a package of benefits including membership and early career mentoring.

Applications are now open and you can view the full eligibility criteria and apply on the IOP website. Scholarships will be instead of the standard government bursary, but trainees who are not awarded a scholarship will continue to be eligible for a standard bursary.
 

Did you know?

We were delighted that the QAA's Integrated Quality and Enhancement Review (IQER), carried out in January 2010 concluded that they had 'Confidence' (the highest judgement possible) in the quality of our Higher Education provision.

For further details read the summary report