PGCE - Secondary - Science: Chemistry

Program Overview

---

What makes PGCE - Secondary - Science: Chemistry at Worcester special?

---

Age phase: 11-16 with post-16 enhancement

This course places an emphasis on experiential learning. Our trainees can become creative and engaging teachers by undertaking a wide range of activities to practice delivering the wonders of Science in the classroom. We ensure each experiment, lesson plan or skill is directly transferable to secondary teaching, helping our trainees to develop their confidence in conveying their passion for Chemistry to the next generation.

The course is enhanced by continued support from the scientific professional bodies;

The Royal Society of Chemistry

,

The Institute of Physics

and the

Royal Society of Biology

. Strong applicants are encouraged to apply for an RSC scholarship. Chemistry trainees also benefit from the University of Worcester being an RSC ‘Learn Chemistry Partnership Advocate.’

---

Key features

• A carefully developed, research-informed science PGCE curriculum
• A focus on building relationships with pupils in the science classroom
• Exploring pedagogy of the GCSE subject content
• Practical and experiential based learning
• Planning for pupil safety during investigations
• Develop subject-specific digital technology skills including data logging

---

Subject Knowledge Enhancement

Not sure about your subject knowledge?

Build up or refresh your existing knowledge with a

subject knowledge enhancement (SKE)

programme before the course.

Subjects offered at the University of Worcester:

English, biology, chemistry, physics, design technology (food), religious education.

Find out about the

bursary

.

Program Outline

What will you study

Our courses are informed by research and current developments in the discipline and feedback from students, external examiners and employers. Modules do therefore change periodically in the interests of keeping the course relevant and reflecting best practice. The most up-to-date information will be available to you once you have accepted a place and registered for the course. If there are insufficient numbers of students interested in an optional module, this might not be offered, but we will advise you as soon as possible and help you choose an alternative.

Subject Knowledge with a Deep Understanding	Enrich your subject knowledge drawing on the expertise of tutors with national and international research profiles in partnership with school mentors with excellent current practice in your specialist area. An excellent teacher requires confident subject knowledge and an understanding about how pupils learn. The majority of your time in university is in subject workshops.
Specialist Subject Opportunities	Present to peers within and beyond the University. Opportunity to join the Association of Science in Education. Begin networking and start the publishing side of your career. Links to subject associations’
Pedagogy	Understand and apply theory and research on how children learn and develop. Explore a range of learning and teaching styles, and classroom organisation. Discover how to promote progress through observing, planning, teaching and assessing learning.
Professional Studies	Develop adaptive teaching strategies to respond to the unique needs in a range of contexts, leveraging the diversity inherent in schools. Be informed by the research and evidence about effective teaching at a general level before applying this knowledge to subject-specific approaches Learn the expectations, standards and behaviours which are appropriate to the profession and the wider responsibilities of a teacher.
Enhancement Activities	Gain expertise through one of our unique Enhancement Activities: PSHE and Citizenship, Developing a Second Subject, English as an Additional Language, Education in Climate Emergency, Teenage Mental Health, Special Educational Needs and Disabilities or Technology Enhanced Learning.  In addition we also offer an Aspiring Leaders programme
Your career	Become a reflective self-evaluating practitioner. Enjoy great employment prospects; our support takes you from trainee to ECT (Early Career Teacher) and beyond Prepare for leadership and your Masters with 60 credits and a strong research foundation.

---

Register your interest

Enter your details below and we will keep you up to date with useful information about studying at the University of Worcester.

---

How will you be taught?

---

Teaching approach

• School experience in a range of settings.
• Professional Studies sessions in school and at University.
• University-led workshops, lectures, seminars, fieldwork and guest lectures.
• Study of key texts and supplementary reading.
• Participation in high level professional discussion, peer presentations and debate.
• Directed studies, case studies and problem solving tasks; development of practice-based competence and skills of critical reflection through guided individual mentoring during placements.
• One-to-one academic and personal tutorial support including access to our first class Firstpoint services

---

Assessment

• Assignments are carefully designed to develop your skills as a teacher.
• Assessments that move from highly structured to more open briefs as you develop your professional skills.
• The opportunity to develop skills as a research informed practitioner.

---

Programme specification

For comprehensive details on the aims and intended learning outcomes of the course, and the means by which these are achieved through learning, teaching and assessment,

please download the latest programme specification document.

• Great employment prospects
• Prepare for leadership and your Masters with 60 credits and a strong research foundation
• Many University of Worcester trainees gain promotion within the first few years of teaching

---

Careers and Employability

Our Graduates pursue exciting and diverse careers in a wide variety of employment sectors.

Find out how we can support you to achieve your potential.