Language is at the heart of everything we do. It sustains thought; it provides clarity of instruction and develops community. As an excellent communicator, this is your chance to strengthen young people's English skills through writing, reading, and spoken language. Whether chairing a lively debate or navigating a class through a complex Shakespeare extract, or developing authentic writing for real audiences, you will become an inspiring influence for all pupils.
On the English PGCE course, we are passionate about language and literature in all its forms. We will equip you with the skills and experience necessary to both educate and inspire secondary English pupils. It is not about teaching to the test; teaching is much more than that. Our ambitious curriculum has fully embedded the Core Content Framework for Initial Teacher Training to develop strong English subject knowledge and pedagogy. Through interactive workshops, tutorials andseminars this one-year full-time course enables you to meet the national Teachers’ Standards for the award of Qualified Teacher Status (QTS).
During your studies, you will undertake teaching placements in at least two complementary secondary schools, acquiring a range of skills in English pedagogy. We have excellent relationships with schools in and outside London and through this highly personalised programme, schools are carefully selected to suit each individual. Key experts from our partner schools are on hand to offer invaluable mentoring and support as well as input on the curriculum. We are proud of the comprehensive support we offer our English trainees in every aspect of the course.
The programme provides an understanding of English across all key stages. This includes an in-depth coverage of:
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You will critically evaluate 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 English effectively.
We’ve made sure that the skills and knowledge that you’ll gain on your course will not change during the coronavirus outbreak. Your module information is below.
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 English 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 English 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 English 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 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 English education and assessment.
More information about this course
See the course specification for more information:
The programme is designed to provide 120 days in schools with two school experiences (Secondary Professional Development 1 and Secondary Professional Development 2). Each placement provides a sustained teaching experience over the complete teaching week.
The remaining 60 days of the programme is university based, where lectures, seminars and practical workshops in a blended learning environment. The course will comprise a range of presentations, discussions and practical workshops where exemplar material can be selected from a specialised subject context.
The two school experiences assess your ability to demonstrate you are able to apply the knowledge, understanding and skills of the ITE curriculum to your teaching practice, and fully meet the Teacher Standards by the end of your training programme:
We have developed new approaches to teaching and learning for the 2021/22 academic year, and have resumed the majority of our teaching on campus.
We are currently reviewing our approach to teaching and learning for 2022 entry and beyond. We've learned a lot about how to give you a quality education - 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’ll use technology to enhance all of your learning and give you access to online resources to use in your own time.
You’ll 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’ll be expected to do independent study where you read, listen and reflect on other learning activities. This can include preparation for future classes. In a year, you’ll typically be expected to commit 1200 hours to your course across all styles of learning. If you are taking a placement, you might have some additional hours.
Definitions of terms
Support
You 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 be delivered online and on campus and you 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 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.
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.
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.
Alexandra is a Senior Lecturer and her other responsibilities also include oversight of students registered with the dyslexia and disabilities unit at Middlesex University.
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.
Start: September 2022
Duration: 1 year full-time
Code: PGX14E
