Institute of Education London

PGCE Primary (Full-time)

Applications are closed for the September 2010 intake

The Primary PGCE aims to:

• Develop reflective teachers whose practice is informed by sound educational theory and who will continue to learn throughout their careers
• Provide a rigorous preparation for teaching in an inclusive urban envrionment
• Help you to acquire the skills and expertise to support children's learning
• Provide professional development in all national curriculum subjects
• Ensure that you show a concern for professional values and demonstrate the positive attitudes and behaviour you expect from pupils.
  
  Features
  Primary PGCE students can gain experience of teaching across one or more key stages, as follows:
• The Foundation Stage and Key Stage 1
• Key Stage 1 and Key Stage 2
• Lower Key Stage 2 (ages 7 to 9) and upper Key Stage 2 (ages9 to 11).
  An essential part of all routes is practical experience in several different schools or settings. You will learn to teach the core subjects of English, Mathematics, Science and a range of other subjects. You will also select one subject from the range offered for specialist study. We work in partnership with over 350 primary schools. The schools offer placements for school experience, and their teachers play an important role in training, by serving as tutors, mentors and joint assessors for our student teachers.
  
  Attendance
  This route involves a programme of lectures, workshops, tutorials and self-study, supported by a virtual learning environment (Blackboard) and your participation in school placements.
  
  How is the course assessed?
  You and your tutors will review your progress regularly throughout the programme, through assignments, audits, feedback and tutorials. We base your final assessment on a range of evidence, including observations of your teaching, assignments, subject knowledge development, professional conduct and responses to self-study.
  
  Entry Requirements
  You should have a good honours degree (second class or above). You should have three A levels at grade C or above (or the accepted equivalent), and you will be expected to have studied a broad range of national curriculum subjects or other directly related areas as part of your wider experience. You will also need a GCSE pass at grade A to C in English language, mathematics and a science subject by the time you start the PGCE. If you were educated outside the UK, we will accept qualifications of an equivalent level. For more information on equivalent qualifications, please visit the NARIC website: www.naric.org.uk
  
  School Experience
  Experience gained in a mainstream, urban state primary school in England is an integral requirement of the programme. You must undertake a minimum of ten days before you apply, including five days' general experience to see the whole school's prgramme and age range, and five days following one class. Students' relevant experience will also be taken into account - for example, work as a teaching assistant, learning assistant or mentor.
  
  Academic reference
  You must provide us with an academic reference from your named referee at university. If you did not complete your degree in the past five yearsm you should provide a professional referee (not family or friends).
  
  Interview
  We will invite shortlisted applicants to an interview. At your interview, you will be asked to draw on your ten-day school experience. You will need to demonstrate an awareness of the role of a teacher as well as some knowledge of current issues in primary education. You will have to pass a test in English and one in mathematics; a short presentation is also required.