Post Compulsory Education and Training (PCET) In-service ProfGCE

Overview

This PCET course is for people who are already working as teachers or trainers and want to achieve the sector qualification for teaching in post-16 settings. Further Education institutions need teachers with specialist subject knowledge who can teach people who want to explore subjects they weren’t offered in school. If you have a degree from a range of subjects including non-curriculum areas such as psychology, law, or dance, you could be a teacher in post-16 education.

Why us?

• Gain a qualification to teach subjects which aren't widely available in post-compulsory education
• All teaching and learning takes place at our partner college, East Durham College
• Study part-time alongside your other commitments

Course structure

This PCET course is taught at East Durham College and you will spend four hours a week there. You'll also attend a summer conference at the University of Sunderland. The conference brings together full-time pre-service and part-time in-service student teachers to share their research into improving teaching and learning. This will be an excellent preparation for your first year as a qualified teacher and an induction to a professional formation year.

Course modules

Preparing to Teach in the Lifelong Learning Sector (20 credits)

Explore the roles and responsibilities of being a practitioner in the Further Education sector. Identify appropriate teaching and learning approaches in your subject specialist area and learn the basics of delivering inclusive and motivating sessions. Focus on reflection, planning, curriculum intent, curriculum sequencing and assessment theory.

Practical Teaching and Professional Development (20 credits)

Develop your ability to reflect upon and evaluate your own teaching and gain an introduction to the key principles that impact on how we teach and assess learners. Demonstrate effective planning and management of learning through a series of professional observations and work with experienced subject specialist mentors to refine your craft. Learn to justify and demonstrate your ability to develop, improve and sequence the lessons you deliver in practice.

Developing Theories of Teaching, Learning and Assessment in Post Compulsory Education and Training (20 credits)

Continue to develop your knowledge of teaching, learning and assessment. Gain a sound understanding of the principles related to Assessment for Learning and explore a range of strategies that you can use to support your learners’ progress. Explore classroom and behaviour management strategies in depth and refine your ability to creative inclusive learning environments. Critically interrogate key texts to enhance your subject knowledge, pedagogy, and awareness of your subject curriculum.

Contextualising Policy and Curriculum in Post Compulsory Education and Training (20 credits)

Examine the wider policy context of education and training in the post compulsory sector. Investigate how current policy developments inform how you adapt your curriculum to ensure an inclusive and effective approach to teaching, learning and assessment. Study further the prior knowledge around theories of learning and investigate how your students learn by reviewing traditional educational theories and concepts, as well as explore thinking and discussions that are more contemporary, such as strategies to support memory.

Enhancing Subject Specialist Learning through Innovation and Change (20 credits)

Explore the wider context of curriculum design, considering models of inclusive curriculum development, as well as the policy initiatives and key theories that have significantly influenced post compulsory education and training. Focus on collaborative approaches to evaluation and problem solving to identify potential areas for innovation and change in teaching, learning and assessment. Investigate what is available in your own institution within this context, particularly for SEND. Develop your own teaching practice to promote key skills in English and Maths and discover how technology can be used to enhance teaching and learning. Research inclusive practice that will help you to implement a range of strategies in the field of inclusion.

Advancing Subject Specialist Teaching and Professional Development (20 credits)

Reflect upon your approaches to teaching, learning and assessment in your subject specialist area, as well as your journey as a student teacher, setting targets for future progression. Demonstrate your ability to develop, improve and sequence your lessons and further refine your knowledge and awareness of the wider curriculum as it applies to your subject specialism and professional practice. Work collaboratively to investigate and improve an aspect of your subject curriculum and teaching practice. Learn how to conduct research in a way that will allow you to judge the effectiveness of your teaching and take informed steps to implement a curriculum intervention you have developed.

Entry requirements

• We don’t currently display entry requirements for Ireland. Please contact the Student Admin team on or .
• You'll usually need to hold a 2:2 (or above) honours degree from a UK Higher Education institution or an equivalent qualification and be deemed suitable to train to teach by the University of Sunderland.
• You must also have:
  • An enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check
  • A completed medical pro forma (based on DFEE Circular 8/92)
  • Confirmation that you've secured 100 hours of teaching practice over the two years of the course.

Fees and finance

• The annual fee for this course is £2,750.
• Please note, this course isn't available to international students.

Career ready

• Many graduates from this PCET course have gone on to more senior posts with leadership responsibilities in the institutions in which they are employed.
• When you graduate from this course you will have a Professional Graduate Certificate in Education. This qualification incorporates the Diploma in Education and Training (DET). You will be able to apply to the Society for Education and Training which provides the recognition route to Qualified Teacher Learning and Skills (QTLS) status through their professional formation process.

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Degree Overview:

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This PCET course

aims to equip individuals who are already teaching or training with the qualifications necessary to teach in post-16 educational settings. The course focuses on the development of specialized subject knowledge in individuals with degrees from diverse fields, including those outside the curriculum, such as psychology, law, or dance. This enables them to become impactful educators in post-16 education.

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Objectives:

• Equip individuals with a teaching qualification for the post-16 education sector.
• Enable participants to teach subjects not traditionally offered in post-compulsory education.
• Help graduates become effective teachers in Further Education institutions by sharing their subject expertise.

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Outline:

The PCET course offered through the University of Sunderland and delivered at East Durham College is designed as a part-time program, taking place over two years with flexible learning options.

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Course Structure:

• Four hours of weekly instruction at East Durham College.
• A summer conference at the University of Sunderland to connect students and faculty, share research findings on improving teaching and learning, and provide a comprehensive induction for the first year as a qualified teacher and the professional formation year.
### Course Modules: The program consists of six distinct modules, each carrying 20 credits:
• Preparing to Teach in the Lifelong Learning Sector:
This module lays the foundation for teaching in the Further Education sector. It explores various roles and responsibilities of a practitioner, delves into suitable teaching and learning approaches for specific subject areas, provides insights into effective delivery of inclusive and motivational teaching sessions, emphasizes reflection on planning, curriculum intent, sequencing, and assessment theory.
• Practical Teaching and Professional Development:
This module emphasizes developing the ability to reflect and evaluate one's own teaching practices. Additionally, Participants gain exposure to key principles that influence teaching and assessing learners. Students learn to plan and manage learning effectively through various professional observations. They will work closely with seasoned subject specialist mentors to refine their craft, cultivate the ability to justify and showcase their progress in planning, improving, sequencing their lessons in practical settings.

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Developing Theories of Teaching, Learning and Assessment in Post Compulsory Education and Training:

This module delves deeper into the theory and practice of teaching, learning, and assessment. Participants acquire a thorough understanding of the principles related to Assessment for Learning, and explore a wide range of strategies to bolster learner progress. The module equips students with the skills to manage classroom dynamics and behaviors effectively and refine their ability to create inclusive learning environments. Through critical analysis of essential texts, they enhance subject knowledge, pedagogy, and awareness of the subject curriculum.

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Contextualising Policy and Curriculum in Post Compulsory Education and Training:

Participants gain an understanding of the broader policy context of the post-compulsory education and training sector. This module delves into how current policy development influences curriculum adaptation to ensure inclusive and effective teaching, learning, and assessment. Further insights are provided on prior knowledge related to learning theories. Students investigate how their students learn by reviewing both established educational theories and more recent concepts and strategies to support memory.

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Enhancing Subject Specialist Learning through Innovation and Change :

The focus here is on understanding curriculum design models, including inclusive curriculum development models. Participants explore policy initiatives and essential theoretical frameworks that significantly shape post-compulsory education and training. This module emphasizes collaborative approaches to evaluation and problem-solving, enabling identification of potential areas for innovative and transformative approaches in teaching, learning, and assessment. Participants gain valuable knowledge about available institutional resources for supporting students with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND), enabling effective implementation of inclusive practices. The curriculum delves into promoting key skills in English and mathematics and exploring how to leverage technology for enhanced teaching and learning, while fostering inclusive practices that aid in implementing a diverse range of strategies.

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Advancing Subject Specialist Teaching and Professional Development:

This final module serves as a culminating experience. Participants reflect deeply upon their personal journey as student teachers along their chosen subject specialist path, setting clear targets for continued professional growth. This module provides an environment to hone the ability to develop, refine, and sequence lessons while further enhancing their awareness and knowledge of the wider curriculum as it applies to their subject specialization and professional practice. Participants engage in collaborative activities to explore and improve aspects of both the subject curriculum and teaching practices. Participants learn effective research methods to evaluate the efficacy of their teaching strategies, enabling informed and impactful curriculum interventions based on the acquired findings.

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Assessment:

The assessment methods for this course include a mix of coursework (e.g., essays, presentations, portfolios) and examinations, with the specific weightings varying across different modules. The program follows the University’s assessment regulations, ensuring a fair and rigorous process.

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Teaching:

• Faculty:
The program is delivered by a team of experienced educators from East Durham College. They bring a wealth of expertise and understanding of the post-16 education landscape to the classroom and provide individual and personalized mentorship for each student.
• Teaching Methods
The teaching methods employed include interactive lectures, practical workshops, individual and collaborative activities, and peer learning opportunities to create an engaging and stimulating learning atmosphere.
• Unique Approaches:
The course places strong emphasis on learner engagement, active and reflective learning, collaborative research projects, and professional dialogue to ensure a dynamic and impactful learning experience. ##

Careers:

This PCET course opens doors to diverse Karriere options in various educational settings within the Further Education sector, specifically for individuals with specialized expertise. Graduates find opportunities as subject teachers in Further Education colleges or Sixth form colleges, as educators within private and independent training providers or in training/development roles for various organizations. Many of the program's alumni have progressed to positions of senior leadership and responsibility within educational institutions. ##

Other:

• The University of Sunderland requires applicants with non-honors qualifications (e.g., Foundation Degrees) to supplement such qualifications with additional credits at Level 6 to attain an equivalent single qualification status for entry onto this PCETコース.
• For applicants seeking a teaching position, the program is structured to assist them in securing the required 100 teaching hours over the program's duration.
## Overall Summary: This ProfGCE (Professional Graduate Certificate in Education and Training) program offers a comprehensive, part-time, and in-service approach for aspiring teachers seeking careers in post-compulsory education settings. The program's focus on subject specialist knowledge equips individuals from diverse disciplines to become effective and inspirational instructors in their respective fields. By offering a blend of theory and practical experience in a collaborative and supportive atmosphere, the course prepares graduates with the skills and qualifications needed to succeed within the post-16 education sector. ##

University of Sunderland

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Overview:

The University of Sunderland is a public university located in Sunderland, England. It offers a diverse range of undergraduate and postgraduate programs across various disciplines. The university has a strong focus on providing a supportive and inclusive learning environment for its students.

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Services Offered:

The University of Sunderland provides a comprehensive range of services to its students, including:

Academic Support:

Access to libraries, learning resources, and academic advisors.

Student Support:

Counseling, mental health services, and disability support.

Accommodation:

On-campus and off-campus housing options.

Career Services:

Career guidance, job search assistance, and internship opportunities.

Student Life:

A vibrant student union, clubs, societies, and social events.

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Student Life and Campus Experience:

The university boasts a diverse and inclusive campus community where students can connect with people from different backgrounds and cultures. Students can participate in extracurricular activities, engage in personal and professional development opportunities, and enjoy a vibrant social scene.

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Key Reasons to Study There:

Top-Quality Facilities:

The university has modern facilities, including a state-of-the-art library, sports facilities, and dedicated learning spaces.

Inclusive Culture:

The university fosters a welcoming and inclusive environment for all students.

Vibrant City:

Sunderland is a dynamic city with a rich history and a low cost of living.

Strong Industry Links:

The university has strong connections with local businesses and industries, providing students with valuable career opportunities.

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Academic Programs:

The University of Sunderland offers a wide range of academic programs, including:

Arts and Design:

Fashion, Photography, Fine Art, and Graphic Design.

Sciences:

Pharmacy, Nursing, Medicine, and Biology.

Business and Law:

Business Management, Finance, Law, and Tourism.

Computing and Engineering:

Computer Science, Software Engineering, and Electrical Engineering.

Education and Social Sciences:

Education, Psychology, and Social Work.

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Other:

The university has campuses in Sunderland, London, and Hong Kong, offering students a global learning experience. It is also recognized for its commitment to sustainability and equality, diversity, and inclusion.