PGCE Primary
Full-time and part-time programme.
Prestigious, rigorous and popular routes into primary teaching.
Structure and Content
An Education and Professional Perspectives course addresses all generic aspects of primary teaching, including classroom and behaviour management, planning, assessment and target setting and the implementation of government initiatives.
Subjects
Importance is given to the core subjects of English, mathematics and science. information communications technology (ICT) is integral to all subjects.
Emphasis is also given to religious education in addressing the Mission of St Mary's, and trainees have the opportunity to study for the Catholic Certificate in Religious Studies (CCRS). Commitment to securing this qualification is required of those seeking employment in Catholic primary schools and can be a distinct advantage for those applying to schools with a distinctive religious ethos.
Courses are provided in non-core subjects of the national curriculum with slightly more time given to physical education in order to fully address safety aspects of the subject.
All trainees will have the opportunity to take a module in modern foreign languages (French, German, Spanish). There are additional opportunities in this area provided the trainee has a good grade in one of these languages at GCSE level.
Placements
School placements are organised and co-ordinated by the Schools Partnership Office to ensure that teachers have been trained to support and assess trainees in the standards for QTS.
Trainees are supported through elements of the course by teachers in schools and tutors in college. Trainees are prepared in the application and interview procedures for a first appointment.
Available Primary PGCE Degree Programmes
Capacity for ITE programmes is set annually by the TDA. 2011-12 allocation was set at 157 students for the full-time PGCE pathways and 28 for the part-time pathway. Please be aware that these numbers are a guide only in terms of future applications and may not reflect the number of places available at point of application.
