PGCE Primary Teaching with QTS

Program Overview

PGCE Primary Teaching with QTS

About this course

Become a superb Primary teacher at LJMU. Graduate with a Postgraduate Certificate in Education (PGCE) and Qualified Teacher Status (QTS) for the 3-7 or 5-11 age range (PE and mathematics specialisms are available for the 5-11 age range).

Course modules

Discover the building blocks of your programme

Modules are designated core or optional in accordance with professional body requirements, as applicable, and LJMU’s Academic Framework Regulations. Whilst you are required to study core modules, optional modules provide you with an element of choice. Their availability may vary and will be subject to meeting minimum student numbers.

Optional modules

• Becoming a Professional Teacher (3-7) 20 credits
  • This module focuses on the teaching placement (minimum 120 days) in a Home School and Alternate Placement, including the tracking and recording of mentoring and progress in relation to the Core Content Framework and assessment against the Teachers' Standards. To pass the module and meet the competency requirements, student teachers must pass the placement experience and triangulation process. Student teachers must also complete an Early Career Profile (ECP) outlining targets for early career development
• Becoming a Professional Teacher (5-11) 20 credits
  • This module focuses on the teaching placement (minimum 120 days) in a Home School and Alternate Placement, including the tracking and recording of mentoring and progress in relation to the Core Content Framework and assessment against the Teachers' Standards. To pass the module and meet the competency requirements, student teachers must pass the placement experience and triangulation process. Student teachers must also complete a Early Career Profile (ECP) outlining targets for early career development.
• Reflecting on learning, teaching and assessment (3-7) 40 credits
  • This module develops student teachers as critical reflective practitioners, developing knowledge and expertise of key subject and / or phase teaching approaches to learning, teaching and assessment.
• Reflecting on learning, teaching and assessment (5-11) 40 credits
  • This module develops student teachers as critical reflective practitioners, developing knowledge and expertise of key subject and / or teaching approaches to learning and teaching.
• Education and Schooling (3-7) (5-11) (11-16) 20 credits
  • This module provides an option to complete a postgraduate Initial Teacher Education (ITE) programme with an alternative exit award WITHOUT recommendation for Qualified Teacher Status (QTS). In this module, students will develop a critical understanding of the contemporary policy landscape of education and schooling in England, with reference to educational research and scholarship, informed by personal observation of practice.

Pathways to QTS

• Primary Key Stage 1/2 (5-11 years) with QTS
• Primary Foundation Stage/Key Stage 1 (3-7 years) with QTS
• Primary with Mathematics Specialism (5-11 years) with QTS
• Primary with Physical Education Specialism (5-11 years) with QTS

Professional accreditation

Our Initial Teacher Education courses are monitored by Ofsted - the Office for Standards in Education.

Your Learning Experience

Teaching Assessment

An insight into teaching on your course

Career paths

Further your career prospects

LJMU has an excellent employability record with 94% (HESA 2022) of our postgraduates in work or further study fifteen months after graduation. Our applied learning techniques and strong industry connections ensure our students are fully prepared for the workplace on graduation and understand how to apply their knowledge in a real world context.

Teacher Training employment prospects at LJMU are extremely good, with most subjects exceeding the national averages.

The PGCE course is intended for those preparing to enter the teaching profession and most of our students go on to achieve their career goal, working in state or independent schools and colleges. Teaching provides a variety of pathways leading to specialist roles ranging from pastoral to subject leadership and on into school leadership positions.

Having gained teaching experience, a number of graduates move into associated professions such as educational psychology, consultancy, and in the education service sector outside of schools.

Tuition fees and funding

Home

• Fee: £9,535

International

• Fee: £18,250

Entry requirements

You will need:

• Have a first-degree classification normally a minimum of 2.2 Honours or equivalent from a UK university, or equivalent overseas qualification
• Have at least a grade C/4 or above in GCSE English Language, Mathematics and Science or their equivalent (which must be approved by LJMU)

Extra Requirements

• Receipt of satisfactory Disclosure Barring Service (DBS) Certificate prior to enrolment.
• Completion of a medical questionnaire, for medical clearance by the LJMU Occupational Health team, to confirm Fitness to Teach.
• If an applicant needs to improve their subject knowledge, they may be asked to complete a subject knowledge enhancement (SKE) course.

International requirements

• IELTS overall 7.0 (minimum 6.5 in each component)

Extra Requirements

• Receipt of satisfactory Disclosure Barring Service (DBS) Certificate prior to enrolment.
• Completion of a medical questionnaire, for medical clearance by the LJMU Occupational Health team, to confirm Fitness to Teach.
• If an applicant needs to improve their subject knowledge, they may be asked to complete a subject knowledge enhancement (SKE) course.

Program Outline

PGCE Education Primary | Postgraduate course | Liverpool John Moores University

Degree Overview:

• Objective: To prepare students for a career as an innovative and creative teacher of 3-7 or 5-11 year olds.
• Description: The program aims to equip students with the necessary skills and knowledge to become effective primary teachers.
It emphasizes a commitment to learning and teaching through play and interaction for the 3-7 age range, while exploring pedagogical approaches to teaching and learning across all national curriculum subjects for the 5-11 age range. Students will develop their ability to plan, teach, and manage learning in different settings and socio-economic contexts.
• Specialisms: The program offers specialisms in mathematics and physical education for the 5-11 age range.
• Duration: 1 year, full-time.
• Placement: 120 days in a 'Home School' placement with a mid-course 'Alternative' placement to ensure experience in a range of school settings.
• Philosophy: The program emphasizes developing teachers who are reflective practitioners able to apply a deep understanding of the curriculum, learners, and learning to provide the best and most appropriate learning opportunities for all children.

Outline:

• Structure: The program consists of a combination of university-based study and school-based placements.
• Course Schedule:
• Full-time block of three weeks at the start of the course in September.
• One day per week until January.
• Six one-week study blocks at university between October and June.
• A number of conference days throughout the year.
• Modules:
• Becoming a Professional Teacher (20 credits):
This module focuses on the teaching placement (minimum 120 days) in a Home School and Alternate Placement, including the tracking and recording of mentoring and progress in relation to the Core Content Framework and assessment against the Teachers' Standards. Students must pass the placement experience and triangulation process and complete an Early Career Profile (ECP) outlining targets for early career development.
• Reflecting on learning, teaching and assessment (3-7) (40 credits): This module develops student teachers as critical reflective practitioners, developing knowledge and expertise of key subject and / or phase teaching approaches to learning, teaching and assessment.
• Reflecting on Teaching and Learning (40 credits): This module develops student teachers as critical reflective practitioners, developing knowledge and expertise of key subject and / or teaching approaches to learning and teaching.
Students will develop a critical understanding of the contemporary policy landscape of education and schooling in England, with reference to educational research and scholarship, informed by personal observation of practice.
• Pathways to QTS:
• Primary Key Stage 1/2 (5-11 years) with QTS
• Primary Foundation Stage/Key Stage 1 (3-7 years) with QTS
• Primary with Mathematics Specialism (5-11 years) with QTS
• Primary with Physical Education Specialism (5-11 years) with QTS

Assessment:

• Methods:
• Critical reflections on research and practice.
• Small scale research projects.
• The design and analysis of learning experiences.
• Presentations.
• A portfolio of professional activities.
• Criteria: Students need to monitor their progression towards achieving the professional standards required for Qualified Teacher Status (QTS) and maintain a professional development portfolio.

Teaching:

• Methods:
• Lectures.
• Seminars.
• Interactive workshops.
• Group discussion and reflection.
• Problem solving.
• Micro-teaching.
• Online learning environment.
• Faculty: The program is taught by highly experienced academic staff and school mentors.
• Unique Approaches: The program emphasizes a strong link between theory and practice, with a focus on developing reflective practitioners.

Careers:

• Potential Career Paths:
• Primary teacher in state or independent schools and colleges.
• Specialist roles in education, such as pastoral or subject leadership.
• School leadership positions.
• Educational psychology.
• Consultancy.
• Ofsted Rating: In June 2023, Primary Initial Teacher Training received a “good” rating following a rigorous 4-day inspection.
• Strengths:
• Leaders have worked with great care and attention in designing their ITE curriculum.
• Leaders work closely and effectively with partner schools to decide what trainees should learn in the centre- and school-based training.
• The primary-phase ITE programmes are taught by expert tutors and trainers.
• Leaders make sure that their staff actively participate in the work of national organisations and subject networks.
• Students value the input given to them by tutors and trainers about pertinent education research that will help them in their careers.
• School Facilities: Students have access to all of the classroom and teaching facilities provided by their placement schools as well as the expertise of educational professionals at LJMU.
The School of Education features a wide range of cutting-edge facilities, including a pedagogy room, lecture rooms, computing facilities, and an Outdoor Learning Zone.
• Location: Students should live within reasonable travelling distance of the University and its partner schools for the duration of the course.

Home fee: £9,250 International full-time per year: £18,250

Additional costs

accommodation and living expenditure books (should you wish to have your own copies) printing, photocopying and stationery PC/laptop (should you prefer to purchase your own for independent study and online learning activities) mobile phone/tablet (to access online services) field trips (travel and activity costs) placements (travel expenses and living costs) student visas (international students only) study abroad opportunities (travel costs, accommodation, visas and immunisations) academic conferences (travel costs) professional-body membership graduation (gown hire etc)