PGCE General Primary (5-11 years) with QTS: Inclusion/SEND

Program Overview

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PGCE - General Primary (5-11 years) with QTS: Inclusion/SEND

Course Overview

This specialism allows you to explore ways in which all pupils, including those with special educational needs and disabilities, can be included in classrooms and schools. You will learn through a combination of theory, an examination of current policy and practice, including the Children and Families Act (2014) and the SEND Code of Practice 0 to 25 (2015), combined with plenty of practical experience and input from experts in the SEND field.

Key Details

• Recruiting to: UK / RoI / Settled in UK, EU / EEA / International
• Course Location: Lancaster
• Institute: Institute of Education, Arts and Society
• DFE Code: 376T
• Delivery Style: In-person
• Course Duration: Full-time: 1 Year
• Course Start Point: September
• Award: PGCE

Minimum Entry Requirements

• First degree, or equivalent with a minimum of 2:2 Honours degree
• Three GCSEs at minimum grade C/4 or above to include English Language or Literature, Mathematics and Science (including biology, chemistry or physics)
• A satisfactory academic (university) reference AND a satisfactory professional reference if more than three years since academic study
• All candidates must demonstrate professional suitability through interview and must obtain medical and enhanced DBS clearance according to established university procedures

Tuition Fees

• £9,535 - UK (2025-2026)
• £14,900 - International (2025-2026)
• £9,250 - UK (2024-2025)
• £13,575 - International (2024-2025)

PGCE Alumni Scholarship

Scholarship fund worth up to £2,000

Course Structure

What You Will Learn

The programme is intentionally designed to scaffold your learning journey in a progressive way from your first day to course completion. This is done through a combination of relevant, detailed and comprehensive contributory modules complemented by qualificatory modules that support the development of effective classroom practice.

Modules

You gain the academic PGCE qualification via successful completion of three masters’ level modules:

• Beginning Professional Understanding
• Developing Professional Enquiry
• Extending Professional Learning

Teaching & Assessment

How You Will Learn

Your programme will help you to build your theoretical understanding of the complexity of teaching and learning, whilst at the same time helping you to develop your practical professional skills in classroom settings.

How You Will Be Assessed

Your PGCE with QTS programme is assessed through a combination of placement assessment alongside formative and summative assessments.

Qualifications

Entry Requirements

• GCSEs: Three GCSEs at minimum grade C/4

What We're Looking For

We want someone who:

• Displays a passion for children's learning
• Aspiring teachers who can bring their own experience to the classroom setting
• Enthusiastic and engaging communicators
• Graduates with a 2:2 or above degree classification
• Motivated and well-organised individuals who have strong planning skills

Funding

We have a wide range of scholarships, bursaries, grants and funds available to support you throughout your studies with us. This includes the Cumbria Bursary - a non-repayable bursary designed to support first year students with a household income of less than £25,000.

Additional Costs

There will be some additional costs. For example, all students will need to purchase stationery and may wish to purchase some text books. Extra costs may also be applicable to cover field trips, membership fees etc. although such features are usually options within the course.

• Books: Most core text books are available via the University's library, however students may wish to buy copies of any texts used to support your learning on your course. This could cost between £50 - £100 per year.
• Stationery: Students should budget for stationery and consumables for your own personal use. This should include notebooks, pens and pencils for taking notes in class and/or in the field. Students should also budget for the purchase of USB pen drives, as well as occasional printing and photocopying costs incurred in the preparation or submission of coursework. Whilst you will choose how much you need, expect to pay around £30 - £40 per year for these items.
• Clothing and Equipment: Students may wish to have their own computer or laptop for undertaking their assignments. This is not however a requirement for access to the programme as the University does make such facilities available across all of its main sites and learning gateway buildings. Should students wish to purchase a computer then an entry-level laptop would suffice, £300 - 400. Placement will require sensible, professional clothing and footwear as appropriate to the setting and suitable clothing for PE teaching.
• Field Trips: Students will need to fund their own transport to their placement. There is the possibility that a university arranged placement will require travelling time, and any expenses incurred are to be met by the student. Therefore, the student should budget for these travel costs.

Program Outline

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Degree Overview:

This PGCE General Primary course with a specialist pathway in inclusion / SEND is designed to prepare you for the exciting environment of the mainstream primary classroom, while providing you with additional skills that will allow you to become confident in creating inclusive teaching and learning experiences. Choosing this pathway can also be a step towards a career as a SENCo or a specialist SEND teacher. The program aims to provide you with additional specialist knowledge and expertise in the field of working with children with SEND and inclusion. This includes exploring ways in which all pupils, including those with special educational needs and disabilities, can be included in classrooms and schools. You will learn through a combination of theory, an examination of current policy and practice, including the Children and Families Act (2014) and the SEND Code of Practice 0 to 25 (2015), combined with plenty of practical experience and input from experts in the SEND field.

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Outline:

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Program Structure:

The program is designed to scaffold your learning journey in a progressive way from your first day to course completion. This is done through a combination of relevant, detailed and comprehensive contributory modules complemented by qualificatory modules that support the development of effective classroom practice. All modules have been developed to enable you to make strong, meaningful and effective connections between theory, research and practice.

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Modules:

You gain the academic PGCE qualification via successful completion of three masters’ level modules:

• Beginning Professional Understanding
• Developing Professional Enquiry
• Extending Professional Learning
These modules are designed to provide you with an evidence-based foundation to support your development as a teacher. They draw upon a range of recent, relevant and cutting-edge research and support your understanding of professional decisions teachers make, ultimately helping you become an excellent teacher.

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Year One:

In addition to the core modules, you will engage with modules designed to help develop your professional practice. These will cover subject and pedagogical knowledge of all primary curriculum areas as well as key professional skills and attributes such as planning, behaviour management and adaptive teaching. You will have the chance to work with subject experts.

• The programme supports your understanding of the interplay between theory and practice through the use of ITAPs (Intensive Training and Practice).
• ITAPs are expertly designed and focused units of work, supporting you in knowledge, analysis, enactment, preparation and reflection in key pedagogic areas.
• The ITAPs focus on ‘Managing Behaviour’, ‘Assessment for Learning’, ‘Adaptive Teaching’, and ‘Structuring Learning and Curriculum Design’.

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ITAPs:

The ITAPs will involve a range of learning opportunities, including working with selected schools and expert teachers to contextualise your university-based learning and provide you with opportunities to enact the approaches explored.

• Being a Teacher
• Cumbria Teacher of Reading
• Curriculum and Pathway development
• Curriculum
• Intensive Training and Practice (ITAP)
• Understanding Learning

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Assessment:

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Assessment Methods:

• Placement assessment
• Formative and summative assessments

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Assessment Criteria:

• Three summative assignments based on topics of your choosing
• Formative activities built into the assessment process
• Formative assessment submissions for feedback without a grade
• Assessment against the Teachers’ Standards on your Extending placement
• Weekly developmental targets set with your mentor during placements

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Teaching:

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Teaching Methods:

• The program combines theoretical understanding with practical skills development in classroom settings.
• A significant focus is devoted to the interplay between theory and practice.
• Assessed school placements are integral to the course.
• You will be supported by a mentor in school who will have received initial mentor training from the university.
• The program weaves together university-based learning, school-based learning and independent learning around a developmental learning framework.

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Faculty:

• You will learn from an experienced, highly qualified programme team working at the forefront of the academic field.

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Careers:

• The program prepares you for a career as a mainstream primary teacher.
• Choosing this pathway can also be a step towards a career as a SENCo or a specialist SEND teacher.

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Other:

• The University of Warwick provides accreditation for the QTS element of this University of Cumbria programme.
• The University of Cumbria has developed excellent school partnerships over many years.
• The program is newly revalidated and up-to-date.
• The contributory modules have been planned to allow you to undertake a seamless transition to a University of Cumbria MA in Education Professional Practice.
The learning outcomes of the modules have been mapped to the learning outcomes of the MA and the credits that you accrue on the PGCE are recognised as part of the MA.
• The program recognizes that gaining a PGCE and achieving QTS is not the end of your professional learning journey.

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Tuition Fees and Payment Information:

• UK: £9,250 per year
• International: £13,575 per year