Postgraduate Certificate in Education: Primary

PGCE

Full-Time

This course is available in Clearing, call us on 0845 271 3333 for more information


Course overview

Our one-year, full-time Postgraduate Certificate in Education (PGCE) leads to Qualified Teacher status as a primary teacher. Our Teacher Training for primary teachers covers Key Stages 1 and 2 (ages 5 to11) or Early Primary (ages 3 to 7). All students will also engage with modern languages in the curriculum.

You will develop your knowledge and understanding of the primary national curriculum, study effective teaching and learning methodology, and acquire the skills of a successful primary practitioner.

Our course integrates professional practice with academic enquiry. You will explore the different ways in which pupils develop and learn, and how you can support and develop learning.

This course will prepare you to teach the whole primary curriculum. You will be introduced to creativity, communication, English, mathematics, modern-language teaching, science, foundation subjects and professional values through a variety of approaches, including workshops, lectures, online activities, seminars and classroom-based activities. Our sessions are enjoyable, interactive and demanding.

This course is offered at Masters degree level only.

Module guide

Core modules
  • The Essential Curriculum

    This practice-focused module will explore the place and purpose of the core subjects of literacy and language, mathematics and Information and Communications Technology (ICT) within the primary curriculum. You will have the opportunity to learn about subject pedagogy and to explore its application in a school context.

  • Developing Classroom Practice

    This module will provide you with an initial experience of teaching and learning in a primary-school environment. You will observe and shadow a classroom teacher and a range of other practitioners who support learning in the primary classroom and school. This will enable you to develop an awareness and understanding of the context of primary learning, which is vital preparation for practice.

  • Qualifying School Experience

    This module will develop your confidence and competence to lead learning and meet the professional standards to achieve Qualified Teacher Status. You will also be prepared for your induction year, as a newly qualified teacher.

  • Theories, Themes and Issues in Education

    This module will focus on your professional development as determined by your Personal Development Planning (PDP) and integrates theory and practice through delivery in professional settings. You will explore theories and principles of teaching and learning, the derivation and design of the curriculum and the role of schools and education within the wider community. You will engage with national strategies, frameworks and international dimensions that will inform your management of teaching and learning.

  • The Thematic Curriculum

    Taking a thematic approach and delivered as a series of workshops, this module will develop innovative and imaginative approaches to the delivery of the primary curriculum through the identification of appropriate themes and topics. Underpinned by the subjects covered in the Essential Curriculum module and the foundation areas of learning including modern languages, you will consider the implications for your first school experience in taking a thematic approach to teaching and learning.

Assessment

A variety of modes of assessment are used, including school-based tasks, plans, evaluations, case studies, presentations, written assignments, observations and portfolios. These have carefully been designed to provide you with a variety of ways of reaching success. You will have the opportunity to assess your own progress through core subject audits and to undertake supported independent study. During each block school experience you will be assessed against the government standards for the award of Qualified Teacher Status.

Hours of study

The course is full-time and you're expected to attend lectures, which may be from 9am to 6pm over a full week. When on school placement you're expected to be in school from 8.15am to 5.30pm, at the discretion of the headteacher.

Facilities

We have a select number of specialist rooms including: one dedicated science laboratory; two dedicated art rooms; one room equipped for design and technology; two collaborative ICT learning suites; and a fully-resourced gym.

Professional recognition

On completion of the PGCE we recommend you for Qualified Teacher Status (QTS). This is then conferred by the General Teaching Council for England. Provided all elements of the course have been successfully achieved you'll be awarded Qualified Teacher Status to teach primary students from the ages of 3 to 11.

Work placements

You will be placed in two different schools to enable you to meet the professional standards for Qualified Teacher Status. The school experience is a total 18 weeks and covers the full age range you are training to teach. The taught part of our course and the school experience run concurrently. You will be attached to two different partnership schools, one each semester, where you will have opportunities to develop your teaching in a supportive environment. You will be supported by a named mentor in the school and a link tutor from Anglia Ruskin. You will also spend time in an educational setting away from a school.

You'll be advised of your school experience placement as soon as possible after the start of the academic year. Our Partnership Office will contact you for details of your term-time address before the start of the course. Every endeavour will be made to find a school placement within a reasonable distance of where you live. You should, however, be prepared to travel up to 35 miles where necessary. Your journey may take up to 1½ hours.

Associated careers

After graduating, you will be ideally equipped to enter the teaching profession. Employment prospects are good, with many of our partnership schools employing former trainee teachers from Anglia Ruskin University.
Entry Requirements: Required subject(s): Honours degree 2:2 classification or higher from a recognised University Non-Academic Conditions: CRB Checks required, Interviews GCSE(s) Required: 3 GCSE's at grade C, or above, in English Language (grade B preferred), Mathematics and Science, ,
Please note
Our university will accept the GCSE Equivalency Testing in English and Mathematics from www.equivalencytesting.com. However, candidates are advised to contact Anglia Ruskin if they have any queries before undertaking an equivalency test or submitting their application to seek verification.

All applicants must have completed two weeks experience in a mainstream UK State Primary School classroom within the last 12 months prior to application.

Acceptable GCSE Science qualifications
  • GCSE - Science / Biology / Chemistry / Physics / Core Science - Grade C or above
  • IGCSE - Science / Biology / Chemistry / Physics - Grade C or above
  • CSE - Science / Biology / Chemistry / Physics - Grade 1
  • O Level - Science / Biology / Chemistry / Physics - Grade C or above
  • Intermediate GNVQ Science (6 Unit) - Pass
  • BTEC First Diploma in Applied Science (Award or Certificate) - Merit or Distinction
  • Open University Module prefixed with the letter 'S' - Pass
  • Irish Leaving Certificate (Ordinary or Higher) Science / Biology / Chemistry / Physics - Grade C or above
  • OCR National, Level 2 Science - Pass
Please note GCSE Human Physiology and Health are not accepted.


Expectations

We expect you to have thoroughly researched the role of a primary school teacher and to have gained a minimum of 2 weeks recent (within the last 12 months) UK experience in a State Primary School classroom at the point of application. Due to the highly competitive nature of the application process you'll need to be very clear in your personal statement and interview why you want to become a teacher, the skills involved and what you can bring to the profession.

Booked holiday arrangements

Anglia Ruskin will not permit teacher training students to take holidays outside the identified holiday dates. You're advised to cancel previously arranged holidays.

Short listing

Short listing is where your application is assessed to ensure your qualifications meet our entry requirements and your personal statement is relevant. From this assessment a judgement is reached on suitability to be interviewed. Non attendance at an arranged interview, without prior explanation, will result in your application being withdrawn.

Interviews

If your application is shortlisted you'll be invited to attend an interview at our University. This interview will comprise of a talk about the programme, an English assessment, a group task and individual interview. The test is at KS3 level and applicants should revise at this level. An interview is a crucial part of the application process and it is important to attend.

International applicants

Given the sensitive nature of the role of the teacher, and the vital importance of personality and character within the profession, all international candidates will be required to attend an interview in the UK (at Chelmsford), in the same way that EU candidates are. It must be understood that an invitation to attend an interview is not an automatic guarantee of a place on the course.

The Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) formerly Criminal Records Bureau (CRB)

An enhanced level Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) disclosure is a check with police forces and local authorities in the UK to ascertain whether or not you are suitable to work with certain groups of vulnerable people. These checks are required to be carried out on all prospective students to ensure the safety of our client group. Further information on DBS disclosure will be sent out with offer letters to successful applicants.

Our published entry requirements are a guide only and our decision will be based on your overall suitability for the course as well as whether you meet the minimum entry requirements.

We welcome applications from International and EU students. Please select one of the links below for English language and country-specific entry requirement information.

How to apply

Locations

Duration

1 year

Teaching times*

This course is full-time and you're expected to attend lectures, which may be from 9.00am-6.00pm over a full week. When on school placement you're expected to be in school from 8.15am-5.30pm, at the discretion of the headteacher.

Available starts

September

Student finance

Faculty

Health, Social Care & Education

Department

Education

Contact us

UK and EU applicants:International applicants:

 

*Teaching days and times are for guidance only and are subject to change each academic year. We advise all applicants to wait until they are in receipt of their timetable before making arrangements around their course times.

Bookmark this page with: