Education

Keele University has a long established reputation in Initial Teacher Education. The Keele Partnership Primary PGCE Programme is an innovative one year (38 weeks) course which offers opportunities for specialisms in either Maths, Science, MFL or Humanities as follows:

General primary (5-11) with Humanities Specialism 

General primary (5-11) with Mathematics Specialism 

General primary (5-11) with Modern Languages Specialism 

General primary (5-11) with Science Specialism 

You will spend a significant amount of time (minimum of 24 weeks) in school. The University modules are designed to give you experience of all the subjects you will be expected to teach for your specified age range and will often be led by practising school based colleagues.

The course is underpinned by a genuine partnership between the University, partner schools and the students (referred to as Associate Teachers (ATs)). The University sessions will draw heavily on the ATs’ school experiences and aid them in interpreting those experiences in the light of current theory and practice in primary education.

The Partnership Primary PGCE Programme at Keele has been designed to be informed by both research and practice.  The course will prepare you to use exciting approaches and resources to interest and motivate children as you develop your pedagogy and philosophy of education. The broad aims of the Primary Partnership PGCE programme are to:

• enable you to become a highly motivated, effective, creative and reflective practitioner who has achieved the standards required to qualify as a primary school teachers as specified in the Teachers’ Standards (May 2012);
• prepare you for a career in teaching that will prove to be successful and rewarding;
• develop in you a commitment to and enthusiasm for continuing professional and personal development;
• develop and extend your knowledge and understanding of the primary school curriculum, effective pedagogies and assessment strategies;
• develop and extend your knowledge of teachers’ roles and responsibilities within the context of primary education;
• develop an increasing knowledge and understanding of how children learn and develop, acknowledging the complex relationship between pupil achievement and well-being;
• enable you to provide appropriate advice and support to colleagues in relation to your chosen specialism;
• enable you to work successfully across multi-professional teams;
• develop the ability to appropriately develop the curriculum informed by a critical understanding of both research and practice;
• appreciate and understand the role of education in wider society.

By the end of the Keele Partnership Primary PGCE Programme, Associate Teachers should be able to:

• demonstrate effective subject and pedagogic knowledge, including a secure knowledge of all relevant curricula, frameworks and initiatives;
• cope effectively in the classroom;
• evaluate their own professional practice and be able to draw on both theory and practice to strive for informed  improvement;
  • appreciate and value diversity in the classroom
  • cope with the wider aspects of being a teacher
  • enjoy teaching and curriculum development
  • understand pupil characteristics and differences amongst pupils
  • appreciate the role of curriculum leaders within primary education with particular reference to their chosen specialism.

Entry to the 2012/13 PGCE programme is conditional on:

• Achievement of at least a 2:2 and preferably a 2:1 honours degree (or recognised equivalent);
• The relevance of an Honours degree content and /or A Levels to the chosen specialist subject(s);
• Passes at GCSE in English Language, Science and Mathematics at grade C or above (or equivalent). Please note: although the Teaching Agency minimum requirement is a grade C at GCSE, we will generally  be looking for applicants with a grade B or above in Mathematics and English Language;
• Selection based on the information provided on the GTTR application;
• Selection based on a successful interview (part of the interview is conducted within a partner school);
• A medical report which is deemed satisfactory;
• A completed CRB enhanced disclosure which is deemed satisfactory by the University;
• Successful completion of the Teaching Agency’s QTS Skills Tests in Literacy and Numeracy (these are now a pre-entry requirement).

Successful completion of a minimum of 10 days teaching experience in either Key Stages 1 or 2 during the last two years in a primary school.

This one-year course is a rewarding and challenging programme. It is the beginning of your development as a primary teacher, and as such opportunities for reflection and critical evaluation are embedded in each module.  A minimum of 120 days is spent on professional placement in at least two schools. There are also opportunities to engage in other educational settings as appropriate.

All course participants undertake modules in:

Learning and Teaching in Subjects. You are given substantial preparation for teaching the core subjects of English, Mathematics and Science through taught sessions combined with activities based in the University or carried out in school. There is a particular emphasis on the teaching of reading and numeracy to reflect national priorities. We also emphasise a dialogic approach and develop a focus on speaking and listening to develop children’s understanding.

Subject Knowledge for Learning and Teaching. The foundation subjects of Art, Design and Technology, Geography, History, Religious Education, Music , PSHE and Physical Education are all covered by short practical courses.  These offer both an introduction to the teaching of these subjects, and offer ways to develop creative and connected learning experiences.

Education and Professional Studies. This module covers fundamental educational issues, which contribute to professional knowledge and understanding. Key areas addressed include: inclusion, special needs, behaviour management and equality and diversity.  In addition, you have the opportunity to focus on developing your knowledge, skills and understanding in respect of the organisation of children's learning within your chosen specialist curriculum area..

Teaching Practice. The University has excellent working relationships with its partnership schools, all of which have mentors trained by the University who are responsible for Associate Teacher’s learning and development

Our specialisms enable you to develop more in depth knowledge about your chosen curriculum area and enable you to begin to consider the role of curriculum leadership within a primary setting.  This aspect of the programme enables you to consider how best to support non-specialist colleagues with their pedagogy.  The specialist sessions are practical and interactive, linking theory to practice and focus on pedagogies that are distinctive to each particular discipline. We believe that, by having a specialism, not only do our ATs gain a distinct career advantage but  that they also develop a more in-depth understanding of the role of subject knowledge in  primary education. 

Course participants are assessed through written assignments, presentations and portfolios. Throughout the programme you will be supported in keeping a ‘dialogic diary’. This will enable you to reflect on your developing professional capabilities and competences.  Throughout your placements you will be assessed against the Teachers’ Standards (May 2012).

The Keele Partnership Primary PGCE recognises that our ATs come from a variety of backgrounds and experiences and have already completed degree level study or higher, and are in a position to learn from each other. Thus the programme makes use of lead lectures, seminars, group activities, individual and group tutorials, practical workshops, directed activities in professional contexts, school based placements, support self-study and the use of ICT to support learning via the website.