PGCE Primary & Early Years Programme Presentation to Coventry University Paul Purser Programme Leader Primary PGCE Early Years

I believe the only way to really learn this is to just get on and do it.

PGCE Course Aims The aim of the PGCE Primary and Early Years course is to enable you to become reflective, critical, enquiring and challenging primary teachers, able to respond flexibly to changing circumstances and to continue to develop your knowledge, understanding and skills throughout your professional lives. At the heart of the course is “the value of the child” and the aim of the course is to produce teachers who understand the needs of children and who are able to undertake their role in meeting the needs of all children within the classroom.

Full Time course (one academic year) 5 days per week September to July

Route Options 3-7 Route 5-11 Route Maths Specialism

Basic Course Structure for all (3-7 & 5-11) routes 80 days faculty based training (face to face or directed study) 120 days school based training and experience (practising and school staff led, divided into three blocks) Time in school is sub-divided into: School based training – SE 1a and SE1 1b Assessed School based training – SE2 Assessed Placement

Assessment Plus: DfE, 2012, Teacher Standards

Primary Focus Module For one module you must choose a specific focus to develop an area of specific strength: Both 3-7 and 5-11 route trainees may choose from: Maths English Science Foreign Languages Special Educational Needs History Art Music RE Computing PE Maths Specialism Route follow Maths Primary Focus Provided you have an appropriate degree subject or qualification

Primary Focus Module Trainees on 3-7 route may instead, choose to study EARLY YEARS – provided they have an Early Years level 6 qualification (e.g. BAECES) If you choose Early Years as your Primary Focus option your qualification will be: Postgraduate Certificate of Education in Early Years with QTS All other trainees will qualify with: Postgraduate Certificate of Education in Primary Education with QTS

What to expect: Some sessions in a lecture theatre environment...

Most sessions will be in groups of approx. 35 and will be very interactive… What to expect:

What to expect: assessments Combination of assessed coursework and teaching practice. Assessments contribute towards meeting the Teacher Standards and the academic requirements for the award. Trainee teachers need to be especially well organised and able to manage a busy workload.

Wide variety of schools… In order to benefit from a variety of school experiences trainees must be prepared to travel to different placements

Professional Development Tutor (PDT) Your PDT will:  Meet with you regularly to review your progress on the course and set action points  Be the first point of contact for course related issues  Suggest routes for further support if required  Support your professional development  Write your reference

Working at Level 7 Level 1GCSE Level 2AS level Level 3A Level Level 41 st year undergraduate Level 52 nd year undergraduate Level 63 rd year undergraduate Level 7Postgraduate (Masters) Level 8Doctoral (PhD, EdD etc.)

Level 7 Be aware of current debates, issues and controversies within Primary School Education. Read ‘behind’ the headlines – on news websites, follow the links to the original research, look for different sides to the arguments and, above all, consider the evidence being used to advance particular positions.

Entry Requirements for PGCE 1 st class or Upper 2 nd Class (2:1) degree 2:2 is accepted for strong candidates GCSE grade ‘C’ or equivalent in Mathematics, English and Science Recent and relevant experience in a Primary School Setting Passed DfE ‘Skills Tests’ in literacy and numeracy

Application Form (UCAS website) References Personal Statement Interview Morning Provide evidence of qualifications Group Discussion Test General Curriculum Knowledge Test Interview Afternoon One-to-one interview with tutor Application Procedure

References Choose one academic and one professional. Personal Statement Indicate clearly why you believe you are suited to both teaching in your chosen phase and this course. Highlight experiences you have had focussing on what you have learned.

DfE QTS Skills Tests in Literacy & Numeracy Go to DfE Website and search for Skills Test Registration Book the skills tests at your local centre. You will not be allowed to start the course without having passed. Passing before interview is an advantage. Each first attempt is free, re-sits are charged. If you fail three times, you must wait at least 2 years to try again. You do not need to be registered to make use of the practice materials.

Seen Teaching Form Please grade the candidate based on your observations of the candidate in the situation(s) described above Poor Shows Potential Exceeds Expectation Outstanding Clarity of communication with young people  Ability to enthuse and engage young people  Preparedness and organisation  Managing behaviour and expectations  Robustness at moments of difficulty/calmness under pressure  Type of activity(ies) observed (Tick all/any that apply) Whole class (e.g. reading a story, introduction, plenary) Small Group (e.g. supporting differentiated teaching, planned focus activity) Informal (e.g. playground duty, before /after school, parent collecting, transitions)

General Curriculum Knowledge Test 70 Questions Covers English, Maths, Science, History, Geography, RE, PE, Music, Art Results provided before course starts No ‘pass mark’ but… Scores in English, maths and science will be used as part of the decision process.

Preparing for the interview Read about current issues in Primary Education Be clear about why you want to teach in that age phase Have a good idea of your own strengths and weaknesses Expect to have questions about things mentioned in your personal statement

School Direct Version Apply via the UCAS website UCAS has a list of schools that take part Some of those schools work with us – so you would join our PGCE Programme Different schools run different models: Salaried Unsalaried All modules with BCU Some modules with BCU & some in school Most school experience takes place at the designated school (plus some experience at another) School has a commitment to employ you afterwards ‘if possible’.

Costs and Bursaries (approx. & subject to revision) Main Costs: Course Fees£9000 Travel (to schools)£ ?? Government Bursaries: 1 st Class Honours £3000 Upper 2 nd Class Honours £3000 Primary Maths £6000 (Need B at A level or equivalent)

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