Education and Training with Teaching Maths (Numeracy) Postgraduate Certificate in Education (PGCE)
| Program start date | Application deadline |
| 2023-09-01 | 2023-07-09 |
| 2024-01-01 | 2023-11-26 |
Program Overview
Course overview
Due to government changes, if you complete this award, you may also be able to gain employment in a secondary school setting, particularly in the post-14 age range - subject to the completion of Qualified Teacher Learning and Skills (QTLS). It is ideal for graduates wishing to teach their degree subject across a range of settings in the education and training sector.
For students who are following the specialist maths (numeracy) route an additional subject knowledge enhancement module is completed alongside the generic PGCE Education and Training modules. This module will ensure that you are fully conversant with the expectations of teaching maths (numeracy) within a range of education and training contexts. It will include enquiry-based learning tasks and ensure that you experience the assessment of maths (numeracy) from the perspective of your students in order to inform your practice as a teacher.
This course has been developed to embed The Professional Standards for Teachers and Trainers in Education and Training, and it combines academic study with substantial placement experience and observation of practice. It is designed to develop your knowledge and skills and enable you to fully meet the professional standards of the sector. This one year full-time programme comprises five modules across four key strands (professional skills, research, theory and specialist knowledge). These are delivered across the year to allow understanding, skills and practical application to take place over time. The strands of the programme are delivered concurrently to ensure that you make explicit links between all aspects of your learning.
The course begins with a two week intensive block of teaching that quickly provides you with core strategies and a basic understanding of learning and teaching (L&T). This ensures that you are supported to fully engage with your teaching practice placements from the outset. Following the intensive teaching block, you normally attend your placement setting for three days per week (Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday) and attend taught/ teaching related sessions over the remaining two days per week (Thursday and Friday). You also attend one CPD session per week and additional specialist subject teaching days during the course.
The exception to this pattern is when trainees undertake two, four-week block placements during which time they are expected to be in their placement setting for the standard working week and engage with all work-related activities expected within the teaching practice setting. You also attend two full-day conferences alongside trainees from across the partnership.
Funding:
if you study this course and teach maths, you could be eligible for a £29,000 bursary. Find out moreDownload pdf Order prospectus
Program Outline
Course details
Course structure
Core modules
Developing Learning and Teaching
You gain a detailed overview of the core concepts underpinning learning, teaching and assessment, which is the starting point for becoming a professional teacher in the education and training sector. The module considers the roles, responsibilities and professional standards for teachers and focuses on the development of a range of practice skills, providing opportunities for trainees to engage with a variety of creative and innovative approaches to teaching and learning. It also focuses on the general principles and processes underpinning: the creation of positive, inclusive and effective learning environments; the development of critical reflective practice skills; the ability to manage data to support the progress of students; and, making evidence informed decisions in practice.
Enhancing Learning and Teaching
You are supported to enhance and extend approaches to learning, teaching and assessment in a variety of complex and challenging ways. You will be encouraged to underpin your learning and teaching with evidence-informed strategies and will develop the skills required to rigorously and consistently evaluate your own practice. You look beyond your own direct experience and consider a breadth and range of educational settings, and to reflect on the broader context of education for your students. You will be supported to demonstrate a depth of understanding in relation to your subject specialism and its delivery. You comprehensively and fully evidence your progression against the professional standards for the sector and develop the skills required to contribute in a meaningful way to development and CPD within educational contexts.
Evidence Informed Learning and Teaching
You research an aspect of your practice to develop pedagogic knowledge, and to explicitly link theory to practice in professional educational contexts. This module will also support the development of professional confidence and contribute to the creation of high quality student learning experiences. You develop your understanding of planning, implementing and evaluating an ethical, rigorous and credible piece of practitioner research. You are supported in becoming effective, professional and research informed practitioners, and to confidently execute and disseminate a piece of research.
Subject Specialist Knowledge Maths (Numeracy)
You develop your mathematics (numeracy) subject specialist knowledge, and enhance your understanding of the ways in which mathematics and numeracy are organised, taught and managed within schools, colleges, and the education and training sector. You gain the specific knowledge and skills required to deliver your subject specialism, whilst ensuring that you also develop a strong understanding of the educational theories and concepts that underpin the learning and teaching of mathematics (numeracy). You consider the impact of special educational needs and disabilities on the development of mathematics (numeracy) skills, and strategies for embedding mathematics (numeracy) across the curriculum.
Thinking in Learning and Teaching
You critically explore a variety of traditional and contemporary theories in learning, teaching and assessment. You analyse the impact of government policy, curriculum theory, and professional standards on the sector, and consider quality processes and their impact. You also explore wider perceptions of education and training, and trends within your individual teaching specialism.
Modules offered may vary.
How you learn
Learning and teaching are central to all aspects of this course. You are a student completing a higher education qualification, but you are also a trainee teacher who is expected to apply the knowledge and skills you acquire to your own classrooms. All aspects of this course are therefore designed to support you to develop academically whilst also supporting the development of practical, professional expertise across a range of contexts.
This course is built around a clear focus on developing resilient, autonomous, reflective practitioners who will become outstanding teachers within the education and training sector. The learning and teaching strategy of this course supports that goal and aims to ensure that you:
How you are assessed
You are assessed on your knowledge, professional skills and ability to integrate the theoretical and the practical aspects of your experience. Approaches to assessment have been designed to align with professional standards for the sector.
The overall assessment load has been carefully considered to prevent overload or the bunching of assessments, whilst also ensuring that all aspects of the course remain fully integrated and your experience is a fully holistic one. Throughout the course approaches to assessment are actively modelled for and discussed with you as an essential aspect of the teacher training process Specific assessment tasks include completing a Professional Standards Portfolio, an academic poster, observations of teaching practice, and written assessments such as writing a critical evaluation and a journal-style article. Assessments in these all modules will require trainees following the maths (numeracy) specialist route to focus assessments in the area of their specialist subjectEmployability
Career opportunities
Appropriate careers are in the full teaching role in learning and skills sector educational contexts. Graduates go on to work in a variety of professions including further education colleges and training organisations. Some students gain employment in secondary schools or higher education. Other students have taken the opportunity to further their studies on relevant continuing professional development or postgraduate study at Teesside.
Work placement
You will undertake a significant teaching practice placement that will form an integral part of your training as a teacher. During your placement you will receive support from a designated mentor who will provide formative feedback verbally and in writing.
Mentors receive detailed information about the course and their role and are required to undertake mentor training (this is available via face-to-face sessions, on a 1-2-1 basis or via completion of a distance training package). There is regular communication between mentors and the HEI based teaching team. During placement you will continue to be supported by tutors.