The PGCE Drama (QTS) course offers a diverse and inclusive research-informed programme that allows trainee teachers to thrive in a challenging learning environment. It draws upon vibrant experiences in both university and school-based training, that prepares trainees to be robust early career practitioners. You will be introduced to the broad scope of drama as a curriculum subject across the secondary age range.
Our key priority is to personalise the programme based on individual interests and needs. We strive to promote adaptive, critical thinkers who can respond to the needs of children in multicultural, multilingual and multi-faith settings.
The programme structure facilitates enrichment opportunities to think and learn beyond the classroom and campus. Our partnership with Trestle Theatre Company allows trainees to explore their creativity and make strong links between their love of drama and the practical skills they need to teach this subject in school. Partnerships with the National Theatre and British Library enhance your professional practice and reflect our process-based training approach.
Graduates of the PGCE Drama (QTS) programme are confident, inquisitive and dynamic teachers. They see their entry into employment as an opportunity to further develop and build on the skills acquired in their PGCE year.
At Middlesex University, we recognise that drama is at the centre of a strong arts curriculum. It allows pupils to gain confidence in their personal skills as well as challenging their creative thinking through devising and physical theatre.
As an enthusiastic drama teacher, you will facilitate a learning journey for pupils where progression is promoted through oracy and performance as well as written evaluation and analysis.
Drama: Trainees will be assessed meeting the national standards for the award of Qualified Teacher Status (QTS) with drama as the main subject. The course offers a bespoke pathway depending on your degree specialism and other related experience.
Teachers adept in drama are able to educate and inspire pupils, develop their creativity and shape vital skills that impact pupils' performance across a range of other subjects.
We have excellent relationships with schools across Greater London and during your studies, you will undertake teaching placements in at least two secondary schools and have the chance to acquire skills in the application of new technologies in teaching and learning. Schools are carefully selected to suit each individual and expose them to a variety of imaginative and thought provoking learning strategies. Key experts from our partner schools are on hand to offer invaluable mentoring and support.
Through interactive workshops, tutorials, lectures and debates, this one-year full-time course enables you to meet and exceed the Teachers’ Standards for the award of qualified teacher status.
The Drama PGCE with QTS offers an ambitious curriculum where you will deconstruct the effectiveness of a wide range of resources and your own lesson plans. You will analyse research data and critically evaluate how research has contributed to the knowledge and understanding of how to teach drama effectively.
You will gain experience of teaching across Key Stage 3 and 4 with an overview of the Key Stage 5 curriculum.
In addition to developing the knowledge and skills required to teach your chosen subject, you will also be able to identify and evaluate effective strategies for assessing children's learning in the selected subject, through formative and summative assessment strategies. You will understand the importance of literacy, numeracy and ICT in delivering an effective, all-round curriculum.
This module aims to introduce the professional secondary school environment. You will demonstrate your progress in developing your understanding and skills necessary to operate as an effective teacher in a secondary school. As such, it supports you to progress towards the achievement of current requirements for the award of Qualified Teacher Status.
This module aims to consolidate your professional practice in a second secondary school environment. It aims to ensure you can demonstrate the understanding and skills necessary to operate as an effective teacher in a secondary school. As such, it supports you in the achievement of statutory requirements for the award of Qualified Teacher Status.
This module aims to develop your understanding and skills necessary to operate as a critically reflective teacher in a secondary school. You will be assessed by undertaking a small scale research assignment that compares theoretical perspectives in education with the reality found in school.
This module builds on the learning and skills developed in the Professional Knowledge and Pedagogy and the Secondary Professional Development 1 modules and aims to deepen your understanding and skills necessary to operate as a critically reflective Drama and English teacher in a secondary school setting. You are summatively assessed through a Monitoring and Assessment assignment. Here you design, resource, teach and evaluate a scheme of work that reflects best practice in Drama and/or English education and assessment.
You can find more information about this course in the programme specification. Module and programme information is indivative and may be subject to change.
The programme is designed to provide 120 days in schools. Each period of school-based training is full-time.
University teaching will include lectures, seminars and practical workshops in a blended learning environment.
The two school experiences are assessed against the professional requirements under the Teachers’ Standards:
We aim to combine the best of our pre-pandemic teaching and learning with access to online learning and digital resources which put you more in charge of when and how you study. We will keep you updated on this throughout the application process.
Your timetable will be built around on campus sessions using our professional facilities, with online sessions for some activities where we know being virtual will add value. We will use technology to enhance all of your learning and give you access to online resources to use in your own time.
You will receive final arrangements for your teaching and a full course timetable before you start. Delivery may differ in light of block teaching requirements, with theory sections covered online and practical sessions delivered in specialist spaces on campus.
Outside of these hours, you will be expected to do independent study where you read, listen and reflect on other learning activities. This can include preparation for future classes at university in addition to preparation for your teaching responsibilities whilst on school placement.
Definitions of terms
Support
You’ll have a strong support network available to you to make sure you develop all the necessary academic skills you need to do well on your course.
Our support services will mainly be delivered online and you’ll have access to a range of different resources so you can get the help you need, whether you’re studying at home or have the opportunity to come to campus.
You’ll have access to one to one and group sessions for personal learning and academic support from our library and IT teams, and our network of learning experts. Our teams will also be here to offer financial advice, and personal wellbeing, mental health and disability support.
More on teaching for your subject
Read our guide to what’s been happening in your subject area recently.
Graduates will look to move into a position as an Early Career Teacher (ECT) in a secondary school setting.
Our employment rates are extremely high. Typically over 95% of our PGCE graduates in employment or further study six months after graduation. As a newly qualified teacher, your salary will be between £25,714 and £32,157, depending on where you teach.
Teachers can find career progression in both the classroom and the school's management structure. You might aspire to become the head of a department, age group or curriculum. And through developing your leadership skills and experience, you could progress to a senior management position, such as deputy head or head teacher.
For more information on salary and career progression, visit the Department for Education's website.
Alexandra is a Senior Lecturer and her other responsibilities also include PGCE well-being tutor and oversight of students registered with the dyslexia and disabilities unit at Middlesex University.
As a former Professional Coordinating mentor at a London school, Gareth is very familiar with training programmes and the needs of both schools and trainees.
We’ll carefully manage any future changes to courses, or the support and other services available to you, if these are necessary because of things like changes to government health and safety advice, or any changes to the law.
Any decisions will be taken in line with both external advice and the University’s Regulations which include information on this.
Our priority will always be to maintain academic standards and quality so that your learning outcomes are not affected by any adjustments that we may have to make.
At all times we’ll aim to keep you well informed of how we may need to respond to changing circumstances, and about support that we’ll provide to you.
