Comments about Postgraduate Certificate in Education PGCE Lower Primary - Early Years (3-7) - At the institution - Bristol City - Bristol
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Objectives
The Postgraduate Certificate in Education (PGCE) programmes now include 40 credits of assessment at Master's Level (Level M). For candidates who opt not to attempt the requisite credit at Level M, a Professional Graduate Certificate in Education will be available as an alternative award. This is a very popular programme and competition for places is high, so an early application is essential (please note the GTTR dates for applications). We regret that fierce competition for a limited number of places means that we have to disappoint many candidates. Applicants should ensure that they meet the entry requirements and have sufficient observation experience in relevant setting/s. You study the Foundation Curriculum and the core National Curriculum at Key Stage 1 (English, mathematics and science), and are particularly equipped to teach the Foundation Curriculum to pre-school and reception children and Key Stage 1. You also study theory surrounding early childhood learning. Early Years students have 'taster' courses in the foundation subjects.
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Entry requirements
Applicants should have a good honours degree (normally 2.1) in early childhood studies, psychology, sociology or similar. All applicants should also have GCSE grade C or above (or equivalent) in mathematics, English Language and two sciences or double science (University tests in English Language, mathematics and science may be available for some applicants). It is expected that you will have a minimum of two weeks' recent experience of working in a state primary school prior to interview. Applicants who do not meet the minimum academic entry requirements, but have significant life and/or work experience will be considered on an individual basis.
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Academic title
Postgraduate Certificate in Education PGCE Lower Primary - Early Years (3-7)
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Course description
Content
On this 38-week course, you spend 19 weeks in schools and 19 in the School of Education at UWE. The course is designed so that your experiences in these two sites of learning are integrated. In school, you carry out directed tasks that support your learning in the School of Education, and study in the School of Education informs your practice in the classroom.
Seminars and lectures in General Professional Studies equip you to meet the standards to teach and assess the core subjects of Maths, English and Science and, with support, the foundation subjects of the National Curriculum. Trainees are also offered a subject specialism.
Placements
School experience 1: Autumn term
During the four-week block after the autumn half term, trainees, who may be placed individually or in pairs, work under the guidance of the class teacher. Much of the work is in small groups, although towards the end of the period, you are encouraged to take on responsibility for the whole class. You are formatively assessed during this block.
School experience 2: Spring term
This three-week block has a particular emphasis on collaboration and trainees work in groups of three to a class. There is also a curriculum focus on Information Communications Technology (ICT). Working closely with the class teacher, you deliver and evaluate a three-week programme.
School experience 3: Summer term
This long block (seven - nine weeks) is formally assessed on a pass/fail basis. You are expected to take overall responsibility for the class by the fourth week. You have to be able to teach in two key stages.
Teaching and learning
The programme is conducted through lectures, seminars, tutorials and group tasks. The lecturing team has a wide range of recent teaching experience in schools.
The School of Education has workshop areas where you practise many of the practical and school-focused aspects of primary education. The School of Education has a contemporary approach to teaching and learning, making full use of up-to-date technology.
You are allocated a General Professional Studies Tutor who acts as an anchor person during the course and helps with preparation for a professional career in schools.
Assessment
Assessment is based on six professionally based assignments and the final block school experience.
