PGCE Secondary Education

Teaching secondary-age children is your chance to share your passion for your subject and inspire the next generation. 

Teaching children isn’t a one-size-fits-all approach. Every subject is different, which is why we make sure our support is centred on subject-specific knowledge, up-to-date teaching practices and, most importantly, your specific needs as a trainee teacher.

Our courses

• PGCE Business Studies
• PGCE Computer Science with ICT
• PGCE English
• PGCE Geography
• PGCE History
• PGCE Mathematics
• PGCE Modern Foreign Languages (German, Spanish and French)
• PGCE Religious Education
• PGCE Science with Biology
• PGCE Science with Chemistry
• PGCE Science with Physics

Other courses delivered through the Delivery Partner model and Lead Partner model:

• Art and Design
• Dance
• Design and Technology
• Drama
• Music
• Physical Education

 

Course structure

We believe that the most effective path to becoming an outstanding teacher is a gradual one, filled with plenty of support and opportunities to put what you’ve learnt into practice in two stages. That’s why we’ve designed our PGCE Secondary courses to be a supportive development for your teaching skills and gradual introduction to your new profession.

How we’ll support you throughout your training

Our School Partnerships team will source placements for you, taking into account your personal circumstances. Your subject tutor will work with you throughout the year, but on placement you will also be allocated an expert school mentor and a link tutor.

Your school mentor will guide your development, reflection and your practice throughout the placement. They will teach alongside you, and observe your growing expertise. Their modelling of approaches and techniques, and their feedback on your own practice will be a powerful driver of your development. Each week they will help you reflect on your progress and set you targets and next steps for your continued progress. At the end of each stage of your training, your mentor will report on your progress.

Your link tutor and subject tutor will work together to ensure that you are getting the knowledge, experience and practice that you need to develop. Your link tutor will also act as your pastoral contact. So, if you need help or advice whilst on placement, there is always someone who can help.

How we’ll assess you

At the end of each placement your school mentor, who will have supported you throughout your time in school, will assess your practice, using evidence from the whole of your time in school, such as from observations and lesson plans, to marking work.

You’ll complete a progress portfolio to collate evidence of your teaching practice. At the end of the course, we will use this evidence to show that you have met the Teachers’ Standards.

You’ll also complete two level 7 Master’s assignments to test your ability to be critically reflective and research-led in your approach to teaching. These will count as 60 credits towards an MA Education.

Entry requirements

Each of our Secondary PGCEs will have subject-specific entry requirements, which you’ll find on our website. In addition to these, we are looking for applicants with:

• An honours degree with a significant proportion in your PGCE subject
• GCSE Grade C (or 4) English and Mathematics
• Suitable personal and intellectual qualities required for teaching in schools
• The commitment, attitudes and values appropriate to those of a secondary teacher
• The ability to read effectively and communicate clearly and accurately in spoken and written standard English

Strong applicants also have experience in secondary schools. At Leeds Trinity, we treat every applicant on their own merits and value highly the experience you illustrate in your personal statement. 

PGCE Secondary University-led Interviews

If your application is successful, you will be invited to an interview which comprises of two elements. Read more about our PGCE Secondary University-led interviews.

GCSE Equivalency

If you do not already have the appropriate GCSEs, or if you are unable to provide proof of your grades, we can accept some GCSE equivalency tests. Further details are emailed to applicants who accept offers with us.

Subject Knowledge Enhancement courses

Our local partners offer Subject Knowledge Enhancement (SKE) courses​ for people who need to improve their knowledge before they start a PGCE.

Subject Knowledge Enhancement courses run at three different lengths:

• Short Course - 8 to 12 weeks
• Medium Course - 16 to 20 weeks
• Long Course - 24 to 28 weeks

Details of these courses can be found at bradford.vidlearn6.co.uk or tes.com/institute/ske-ppc-landing-page.

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