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PGCE Primary (5-11) ^*

Postgraduate Certificate in Education

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PGCE Primary (5-11) ^*

Postgraduate Certificate in Education

Year of entry: Sept 2019 Sept 2020
Course Type: Full time (1 year)
Tariff Points:
Study Abroad:

Placements:

How to apply >

Open Event Saturday 12 October 2019

Book your place >

Course Overview

Leeds Trinity University offers Postgraduate Certificate in Education (PGCE) Initial Teacher Training courses in a number of subject areas. PGCE students are also registered to study for a Postgraduate Certificate in Education qualification (FHEQ Level 7).

Why study with us?

The primary programme will prepare you to teach the complete Primary Curriculum from 5 to 11 and provides you with an opportunity to pursue a specific area of personal interest and specialism during phase 3.
We are a well-established provider of primary teachers with strong links with schools in Yorkshire and across the North East.
The employment rate of our students is very high. Our graduates take up teaching posts across the UK as well as within our partnership schools.
The course is suitable for applicants from a diverse range of backgrounds who have the talent and desire to teach, and the ability to train to become the next generation of teachers.

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98%

of our most recent PGCE graduates were in professional-level roles within six months of graduating

(Destinations of Leavers from Higher Education survey 2017)

60%

of our PGCE students were graded Outstanding and a further 38% were graded Good

(Ofsted Report 2017)

50+

Leeds Trinity University has been providing teaching excellence for more than 50 years

Course Information

About this course >

We believe that the most effective path to becoming an outstanding teacher is a gradual one, filled with support and opportunities to put what you’ve learnt into practice in stages. That’s why we’ve designed our PGCE Primary courses in three main stages, each consisting of University-based and school-based training blocks.

STAGE ONE – INTRODUCTION TO TEACHING

You’ll spend your first five weeks at University, with several days in your placement school, taking part in seminars and workshops that prepare you for your school-based training by focusing on two main elements:

Professional Learning and Teaching for 21st Century teachers

You’ll learn research-informed techniques and strategies to tackle issues that you will face in your training placements. These strategies will help develop your understanding of teaching and learning, the primary curriculum and educational policy.

Subject knowledge and applied pedagogy

In these sessions, our subject teacher experts will give you a good understanding of what it means to teach Primary Education. PGCE Primary 5-11 trainees will develop their Key Stage 1 and 2 curriculum knowledge and understanding in English, Maths, Science, Computing, Religious Education, Art/Design Technology, History, Geography, Foreign Languages, Physical Education and Music.

After you’ve completed your first five weeks, you’ll start your first placement which will last for six weeks.

STAGE TWO – DEVELOPING YOUR KNOWLEDGE

Your University-based training will comprise the same elements as stage one, but you’ll focus on building on the knowledge you’ve already developed to prepare for your next school-based training block. You’ll spend two weeks at university.

Before your second placement, you’ll again spend time in a school for one week to observe and familiarise yourself with the routine and teaching practice.

During your second placement, you’ll spend a minimum of nine weeks in a new school, teaching a contrasting age phase to your first placement. You’ll continue to focus on English and Maths, alongside PE and non-core elements of the teaching timetable.

STAGE THREE – PREPARING FOR YOUR TEACHING CAREER

Having developed and applied your subject and curriculum knowledge, you’ll spend a week at university completing CPD activities and workshops that will prepare for your teaching career.

You’ll stay in the same school for nine more weeks, teaching another age phase. Putting everything you’ve learned into practice, you’ll teach all subjects and areas of provision in stage three.

After you’ve completed all three stages, you’ll complete a two-week Enhanced Placement which you’ll source yourself, with support from the Placement Office.

Leeds Trinity University courses terms and conditions

Further Study

Modules >

Structure >

Our School Partnerships Office will source your placements, taking into account your passions, preferences and personal circumstances.

After you’ve completed your first five weeks of University-based training, you’ll start your first six-week placement. This will give you the chance to put into practice what you’ve learnt so far, focusing in particular on teaching English and Maths. You’ll work closely with your school-based subject mentor.

You’ll then complete a second placement in a different school for a minimum of nine weeks. This will help you deepen your knowledge of how students learn, and extend your practice in helping that learning, in a new context. This placement gives you the chance to develop your practice in a school and with pupils you will get to know really well. You’ll continue to focus on English and Maths, alongside PE and non-core elements of the teaching timetable.

You’ll stay in the same school for a further nine weeks, teaching another age phase. Having extended experience in the same placement means you’ll be able to develop your practice well, and show that you’re having a positive impact on your pupils. At the end of this placement you’ll present evidence on this impact, which will inform your final grade.

Throughout your placements, you’ll have the support of a school-based mentor. These mentors are trained by Leeds Trinity to support you as you complete your training and assess your progress against the Teachers’ standards.

Learning and Teaching >

At Leeds Trinity we aim to provide an excellent student experience and a personal approach to helping students achieve their academic and professional potential. We have a strong tradition of supporting student employability, with relevant skills embedded in the curriculum.

The key themes of our strategy are student confidence, professionalism and social responsibility. To help students achieve their potential we emphasise learning as a collaborative process, with a range of student-led and directed activities. This approach ensures that students fully engage in shaping their own learning, developing their critical thinking and reflective skills so that they can identify their own strengths and weaknesses, and use the extensive learning support system we offer to shape their own development. Our full Learning, Teaching and Assessment Strategy can be accessed here.

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Assessment

During Stage 1 your knowledge and understanding will be assessed by focused written assignments.

During Stages 2 and 3 your progress against the Teachers’ Standards will be assessed through your performance as a teacher in schools. Classroom teachers will evaluate your lesson plans, observe your lessons and review your marking. Your self-review and attendance at training activities will support your development.

You'll also complete two Level 7 Master's assignments to test your ability to be critically reflective and research-led in your approach to teaching. These will count as 60 credits towards an MA Education.

Entry Requirements >

A good honours degree (2ii or above).
GCSE Grade C (or accepted equivalent) English Mathematics and Science. We offer GCSE equivalency tests to those who have a conditional place on the course but do not already have these qualifications. We accept GCSE equivalencies from the provider www.equivalencytesting.com Please contact admissions@leedstrinity.ac.uk if you are unsure.
A pass in each of the Professional Skills Tests in numeracy and literacy.
Suitable personal and intellectual qualities required for teaching in primary schools.
Commitment, attitudes and values appropriate to that of a primary teacher.
The capacity to meet the Secretary of State's requirements for physical and mental fitness to teach. All successful candidates will be asked to complete a health assessment as part of the entry conditions to the programme.

NB: Candidates with third class honours degrees will be considered on an individual basis, and normally only if candidates have additional qualifications and/or significant relevant professional experience.

In addition to the above essential entry requirements, successful applicants also tend to have experience of observing the teaching in a primary school in this country.

We encourage applications from students who may not match the academic profile outlined above but who can demonstrate that they have developed their subject expertise by working for a substantial period of time supporting the teaching in a primary school context. Strong applicants also have experience in primary schools.

An offer of a place is subject to a satisfactory Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) Enhanced Disclosure Certificate and a satisfactory medical. If you are offered a place you will be sent the information regarding both of these checks.

Please get in touch for further advice on 0113 283 7123 or admissions@leedstrinity.ac.uk.

Student Finance >

UK & EU Students:

Leeds Trinity postgraduate Initial Teacher Training (ITT) tuition fees are £9,250 in 2019-20. Tuition fees may rise with inflation in future years.

You will not have to pay these fees upfront. Eligible UK and EU students can apply for a tuition fee loan to cover the cost of tuition fees from the government.

UK students on non-salaried places studying full-time can apply for a package of maintenance funding from the government to help with general living costs and additional funding if you have children and/or a disability.

English and EU students can apply and find out more information at www.gov.uk/studentfinance. This website also has a calculator which gives you an estimate of what you will receive.

Additional Costs

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PGCE Study Routes

The Leeds Trinity University PGCE University-led programme led by the University with placements in partnership schools. Trainees spend in excess of 24 weeks in schools, undertaking two contrasting teaching placements.

PGCE School Direct programmes are a partnership between Leeds Trinity University and schools. Trainees normally spend most of their time in schools, with tuition provided by University tutors based at the school, and expert school teachers.

PGCE School Centred Initial Teacher Training (SCITT) programmes are delivered by our expert teachers in schools. Trainees spend most of their time in schools, with some generic training provided centrally.

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Career progression

As a qualified teacher, you'll open the door to a wide range of career progression opportunities that will not only increase your learning potential, but will help you to make a difference at a much higher level.

We're really proud of our alumni, whose teaching careers have taken them across the UK and the world. They're making their mark on the future generation as heads of departments, head teachers, pastoral care leaders and even as school founders.