Education and Training Postgraduate Certificate in Education (PGCE)

Course overview

This course specifically trains teachers wanting to teach in education and training sector educational settings, such as further education colleges, and adult and community settings.

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.

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. The course structure will develop your knowledge and skills and enable you to fully meet the professional standards of the sector. The one year full-time programme comprises four modules across three key strands (professional skills, research and theory). These are delivered across the year to allow understanding, skills and practical application to take place over time. The three strands are delivered concurrently to ensure 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. 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.

How you are assessed

You are assessed on your knowledge, professional skills and your 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 the experience of trainees is a fully holistic one. Throughout the course approaches to assessment are actively modelled for, and discussed with, trainees 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.

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.