1. General Information about Teaching http://www.teach.gov.uk

2. Recruitment for 2012 Anyone starting PGCE teacher training from September 2012 will, in general, need to hold at least a second class first degree of a UK HEI or equivalent qualification. The allocation of places may not be made until the New Year (2012). Although the recruitment round will commence as usual, offers will not be made until numbers have been confirmed.

3. PGCE Options at Canterbury Christ Church Primary (185 full-time places, 60 are Modern Foreign Languages – you need a good GCSE or AS level for MFL, final number of places for 2012 still to be confirmed) Apply by December 2011 for 2012

4. Non Primary Programmes PGCE 7 – 14, 11-18 and 14-19, up to 300 places on the full-time route Post-Compulsory (30 places) Recruitment may continue through to the early summer for some of these PGCEs but most fill by the end of the second term

5. How to Apply Primary, 7-14, 11-18 and 14-19 full- time routes apply electronically via the GTTR. www.gttr.ac.uk

6. Direct Application for: PGCE Post Compulsory Primary – Part-Time and Modular PGCE 11-18 - Modular Access the forms via the website www.canterbury.ac.uk/vacancies www.canterbury.ac.uk/vacancies

7. GTTR Choices The form goes to each institution in order. The institution has time to make a decision - interview or reject. If you are rejected then the form is sent to the second choice - and so on.

8. Maths, English and Science GCSE National requirement that teachers have the equivalent of the GCSE Maths and English and Science for Primary and 7-14 age range Can take GCSE or institution test, but the Canterbury Christ Church test is not a GCSE. At Canterbury Christ Church the University Maths, English and Science tests do not give you a certificate for future use.

9. Content of First Degree Tutors look at this part of the form to judge if you are suitable. You need to prove that the percentage of study undertaken in the degree is sufficient. A second class degree classification is now needed

10. Primary PGCE The candidate has to prove that their degree is an appropriate foundation for the primary curriculum. Non-standard degrees include: Psychology, Economics, Law, Business Studies. Applicant needs to show a background in the area/specialism they want to teach.

11. PGCE 7-14, 11-18, 14-19 We are looking for you to be able to prove that 50% of your degree is in the curriculum area that you want to teach.

12. Personal Statement We are looking for people who have considered why they want to be a teacher and can articulate this. Awareness of current issues in education Understand the positive values of teaching. Have had some recent relevant experience in a school – or FE College for PGCE Post Compulsory

13. Work Experience For Primary you need to have undertaken a few weeks work, if less than that you will struggle as you will be competing with Classroom Assistants amongst others. PGCE 7-14, 11-18 and 14-19. You should have been into at least one school. Post Compulsory. An understanding of how FE Colleges work.

14. School Experience Programme We have been informed by the TDA that the Student Associates Scheme is being withdrawn. Therefore it will not be running next academic year. Instead the TDA will launch a new Single School Experience Programme (SEP) from September 2011. http://www.canterbury.ac.uk/educatio n/student-associate-scheme http://www.canterbury.ac.uk/educatio n/student-associate-scheme

15. Referees Your academic referee needs to know why you are applying for teaching. Second reference should be the Head teacher where you have had school experience. We would expect to see the second reference at interview.

16. The Interview Fail the interview and no matter how good the application form and the reference you will be rejected. The interview needs careful preparation especially for Primary PGCE and those subjects in 11-18 which are very popular.

17. The Primary Interview Large group talk (40-50). Followed by smaller group interviews of five to nine people. No single interviews. Interviewed by a teacher (mentor) and University staff.

18. PGCE 7-14, 11-18 and 14-19 Group interview for an hour and a half (15 students) with 2/3 tutors and 2/3 school teachers. Followed by single subject interview (20 to 30 minutes).

19. Clearance Any offer is subject to medical clearance. All trainee teachers currently need to be checked and cleared by the Criminal Records Bureau (CRB).

20. School Experience If accepted onto a course you need to complete school experience which you arrange. Primary - two weeks PGCE 7-14, 11-18 and 14-19, one week in a primary.

21. School Placement If you live in Canterbury the University tries to place you in, or close to the city. If you don’t live in Canterbury the University places them in a school unless a preference is stated. Wait until placement sorted until you decide where you are going to live as 2/3rds of the time is spent in school.

22. PGCE Post-Compulsory Subjects available: Art and Design Basic Skills Business and Administration; Sport, Leisure and Tourism; Humanities and Social Sciences; Science and Technology; Health and Care.

23. The Post Compulsory Sector includes all education and training following compulsory school education. Further Education and Tertiary Colleges Sixth Forms and Sixth Form Colleges Adult Education Centres

24. Qualified Teacher Status Those who obtain the PGCE will not be eligible for Qualified Teacher Status (QTS) required for teaching in the compulsory sector. However, PGCE students may be recruited by schools and onto the graduate teacher scheme and may be subsequently granted QTS as a result of their additional learning and experience.

25. Entry Qualifications a degree or equivalent with a good academic record academic and/or industrial and commercial experience related to your chosen curriculum area can demonstrate involvement with young people or adults in the community