Programme Outline

The Primary PGCE programmes are designed to prepare students for a career in teaching across the primary age range. Students focus on either Key Stage 2 or the Early Years and Key Stage 1.

The programme has two main components which are also available through the medium of Welsh:

• School-based experience

• Campus-based studies

Primary School Experience 1

This is the school-based component of the Educational and Professional Studies (EPS) course and is managed and taught under the direction of the partnership school's Senior Mentor.

Assessed School Placement 1

Teaching experience during the Spring term will be spent in schools which are working in partnership with the Swansea School of Education at Swansea Metropolitan University (SMU). The teaching placement, including school-based seminars, will be organised and monitored by a Senior Mentor within the school. Students will receive support from a tutor from the Swansea School of Education. During this placement students will be observed and assessed across the whole primary age range (3-11).

Assessed School Placement 2

This block of experience will take place during the Summer term where students will build on and develop skills from their first school placement. This teaching placement will also include school-based seminars and students will be monitored by a Senior Mentor within the school. Students will also receive support from a tutor from the Swansea School of Education.

Through these experiences in schools students should:

• acquire a first hand knowledge and experience of pupils from a wide range of abilities and interested in a variety of schools;

• practise the organisation and management of pupils' learning across the whole primary curriculum;

• gain experience and understanding of schools as working institutions.

Campus-Based Studies

As well as preparing for and reflecting on experiences in schools, these studies aim to help students view their experiences in a wider context.

Core and Wider Curriculum Studies

The curriculum studies modules deal with the practical and theoretical aspects of teaching. They focus on teaching strategies, skills and techniques and consider developments in the various curriculum areas. These modules cover National Curriculum subjects and Foundation Phase Areas of Learning as well as Religious Education.

ICT courses run throughout the taught part of the course and, in addition, subject specific ICT is incorporated into curriculum studies modules. Students have access to good ICT and library resources.

Educational and Professional Studies

The Educational and Professional Studies programme aims, rigorously and systematically, to examine key areas of teachers' knowledge and skills to establish principles and expectations. These issues are explored through lectures, seminars, structured classroom observations, classroom teaching tasks and practical workshops.

In the first term the focus is on preparing students for their initial teaching experience and includes sessions on lesson planning, lesson presentation, classroom organisation and class management.

In the second term sessions concentrate upon the broader topics of, for example, transitions, developing links with parents and the effective school.

Students are required to research and write two assignments at Master's  Level as part of the Educational and Professional Studies modules. These carry 40 level 7 credits.

During the final term, emphasis is placed upon topics which are relevant to the needs of the beginning teacher such as induction, professional development and the legal and organisational framework of the education system.

N.B. Themes such as Special Educational Needs Provision and Equality are addressed in both curriculum and educational and professional studies modules.

Curriculum Specialism

The curriculum specialism option is intended to help students develop the knowledge and skills to take on a "responsibility" role in a National Curriculum subject or other area of curricular responsibility in a primary school at both KS1 and 2. Students will therefore need a degree, or an A level at grade C or equivalent in the subjects offered .

Assessment

The assessment of students on the PGCE (Primary) programme has two components:

• practical teaching in which teaching skills and professional competence are considered;

• course work in which a series of written assignments are assessed

in addition there are:

• subject knowledge audits in Mathematics, English and Science.

To qualify for the award of Postgraduate Certificate in Education, programme participants must satisfy the examiners in BOTH practical teaching and course work. This will lead to recommendation to the Department for Education and Skills for recognition of Qualified Teacher Status. This programme offers 40 credits at Master's  Level.

Admission

Applications are considered from good honours graduates (with at least a second class honours degree) fulfilling ALL of the following requirements:

1. Applicants should be graduates of a University, or College of Higher Education approved by the University of Wales.

2. Passes (grades A-B) in English Language (grades A-C) in Mathematics and Science at "0" level or GCSE (or their equivalent) are a necessary requirement for candidates of all ages. In addition, a suitable spread of GCSEs to reflect the primary National Curriculum.

3. Applicants are ALSO expected to have either an "A" level at grade C (B for English),or equivalent or a degree in a National Curriculum subject or other curriculum area suitable for primary teaching in order to offer a curriculum specialism. We are not able to offer a curriculum specialism in every area of the curriculum, and these may change from year to year. Please check the GTTR website (www.gttr.ac.uk) for current provision.

4. Applicants who successfully graduate from the BA (Hons) Educational Studies degree programme offered at SMU will be guaranteed a interview provided they meet the criteria specified.

5. Currently, one of the following is a minimum pre-requisite in addition to the points listed English - A level Grade B or above (Language or Literature) or equivalent or Degree

* English - A level Grade B or above (Language or Literature) or equivalent or Degree
* Mathematics - A level Grade C or Degree or major component of Degree
* Science - A level Grade C or above or equivalent or Degree
* Advanced Early Years* - A level Grade C or above or equivalent or Degree (only available to students applying to Early years course)
* Welsh - as a second language in English medium schools
* A level Grade C or above or equivalent or Degree
* Information technology - A level or equivalent in information technology related subjected or high level of qualification in computer skills (e.g. RSA, GNVQ) or vocational experience in a field involving the frequent use of ICT
* History - A level Grade C or above or equivalent or Degree
* Geography - A level Grade C or above or equivalent or Degree
* Modern Foreign Languages -A level Grade C or above in French, Spanish, Italian or German or equivalent or Degree
* Physical Education - A level Grade C or above or equivalent or Degree
* Special Educational Needs - A level Grade C or above or equivalent or Degree

* only available to students applying to Early years course

It is normal practice for all applicants to be interviewed before acceptance.

Applicants are expected to have gained recent experience of primary schools before attending interview.

In the case of queries about eligibility please contact:

PGCE Admissions on 01792 481094 or email: This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

How to Apply

Students accepted onto the PGCE programme are chosen on the basis of their application form, references and interview.

You obtain your application form from:

The Graduate Teacher Training Registry

Applicants are encouraged to apply online at www.gttr.ac.uk
This is a clearing house for all applicants for PGCE programmes. The completed form should be made via them, together with the relevant fee. Applications CANNOT be made directly to the institutions.
It is recommended that you apply early, as places are filled quickly. Please see the GTTR web site for details of closing dates and availability.

Protection of Children

There is a government legislation in place to ensure the protection of children. This has implications for anyone who wants to enter the teaching profession and who has been convicted of a criminal offence. Full details are published in the GTTR handbook which will be sent to you automatically when you make an enquiry to apply. If you do not have a conviction for a criminal offence, please do make sure that you follow the guidance in the GTTR handbook before you submit your application.

You will be asked in your interview about criminal offences and also to sign a form concerning this before being offered a place on the course. This self-declaration form will be regarded as an interim measure. The Criminal Record Bureau will provide information which we will use to make a final assessment of your suitability for teaching which will be made on the basis of a disclosure form from the CRB.