PGCert Secondary Education (English) with recommendation for QTS

About the Course

As a core subject in the National Curriculum, English is at the heart of education in the twenty-first century. Interest in the content and practice of the English curriculum is sharpened further by an increasing awareness of the importance of language in relation to learning and the role of communication in an advanced technological society.

English teachers today need more than a solid grounding in the study of literature. They need to be aware of the ways in which children read a vast range of texts in a variety of media; they need to understand how speaking and listening skills are developed; they need to be able to respond to and assess pupils' use of language; they need insight into the needs of very able pupils, those with special educational difficulties and those for whom English is an additional language.

Teaching English in the secondary school is a demanding but exciting and worthwhile career that should be rooted in a confident familiarity with the kind of innovative classroom practice to which, as one of our PGCert trainees, you will be immediately introduced.

Aims

The Brunel PGCert (Secondary) course in English equips you with the skills of subject specialist teaching. It also allows you to gain an understanding of teachers' professional knowledge including the application of Information and Communications Technology.

The course is planned and taught in partnership with Heads of English in local schools.  Serial and block school experience take place in partnership schools selected for the quality of teaching and learning and the support offered to trainees by experienced subject mentors.

Enquiries

Information on available funding.

If you would like to have an informal discussion about training to teach English you are welcome to contact Andrew Green andrew.green@brunel.ac.uk.

All applications for PGCert programmes have to be made online through the Graduate Teacher Training Registry. Details are on the GTTR website at www.gttr.ac.uk/students/apply.

Further Information

Taught Programmes Office
School of Sport and Education
Brunel University
Uxbridge UB8 3PH
Tel: +44 (0) 1895 267156
Email: sse-pgtcourses@brunel.ac.uk

Special Features

• The modular route is designed to provide a more flexible but rigorous and high quality route leading to Qualified Teacher Status (QTS). This type of programme will suit you if you are seeking an adaptable course which will suit your present commitments, qualifications and experience.
• You might be a mature candidate or you might have previous teaching experience in supporting learners in classrooms or teaching English as an additional language.
• As a leading centre of education and with roots in teacher training dating back to 1798, we are able to provide first class teacher training that is internationally recognised.
• A Brunel PGCert is a recognised symbol of quality teacher training which accounts for our high employment rates.
• Many of our lecturers are internationally and nationally recognised for their research and advise and work with government and other agencies on education policy issues.
• All successful trainees receive a Career Entry Development Profile, which serves to enhance continual professional development, especially during the induction year of teaching.

What the Ofsted inspectors say:

• “Subject tutors’ research and professional interests, both nationally and internationally have a positive impact on the course.”
• "Placement schools are selected carefully to ensure that students observe and work with good teachers.”
• "The University tutors consciously model good teaching practice through sessions which are lively, varied in organisation, briskly-paced, challenging, meticulously planned and supported by good documentation.”
• "The training in schools is of high quality, mentors are clear about their role and responsibilities and consequently provide good guidance.”

During the course, opportunities may be offered to enhance your learning experience, which may incur a cost.

Course Content

The PGCert (Secondary) English course meets the requirements of the Standards for Qualified Teacher Status as set out in the TDA publication 'Qualifying to Teach'. The English course has a practical basis with attention given to resourcing, planning and productive classroom methodologies, but also requires trainees to engage with rigorous theoretical and philosophical concepts commensurate with M level study. Attention is given to the enhancement of trainees' subject knowledge through lectures, seminar discussion, seminar presentations, directed and independent study. The English course adopts a broad view of such subject knowledge including key works of English literature and literature from other cultures and traditions, language study, media, drama and the use of Information and Communications Technology.

During the introductory weeks of the English course, trainees are involved in structured observation visits to local secondary and primary schools where they provide individual support and team-teach whole classes and year groups. From the outset trainees are expected:

• to plan and present literacy sessions to Key Stage 2 and Year 7 pupils;
• to team-teach selected examination texts for GCSE with pupils in Year 10 and Year 11

In a busy year incorporating both university-based and practical school-based training, the English PGCert will enable you to:

• explore the principles which underpin English in the National Curriculum;
• develop a working familiarity with the demands of the English 11-18 curriculum including examination syllabuses, but focus on the 11-16 age range for the purpose of QTS assessment;
• plan whole units of work, individual lessons and assess and record pupils' progress;
• become familiar with appropriate materials and resources for teaching and learning, including the use of Information and Communications Technology;
• pursue relevant individual enthusiasms eg active approaches in teaching Shakespeare and knowledge about language;
• work collaboratively within a supportive, friendly group of colleagues;
• feel confident in contributing to and initiating relevant cross-curricular activities including those which draw attention to the importance of language in learning in all subjects;
• build a significant portfolio of subject knowledge, which provides a confident basis for first-post applications.

Modules (all core)

General Professional Education
Main topics of study: professionalism; reflection; the reflective practitioner; education; pedagogy; action research and evidence based practice; schools and their learning communities; the curriculum and the hidden curriculum; teaching and learning; continuing professional development

Planning, Teaching and Assessment
Main topics of study: philosophical rationales underpinning different assessment strategies; the deployment of a range of strategies for assessment relevant and applicable within trainees’ subject areas; how assessment data can be recorded, analysed and reported; how assessment outcomes can be used for planning future learning and teaching.

Subject Knowledge and Understanding: Inclusive Practice
Main topics of study: pedagogical, sociological and psychological theories related to the construction and learning of their subject; official policies and sources of guidance materials for the teaching of their subject; teaching strategies relevant to their subject.

QTS Skills Test
In order to gain the award of Qualified Teacher Status, all trainees are required to pass the skills tests in ICT, Numeracy and Literacy. 

School Experience (two modules)
Trainees normally spend eight weeks in school for the first School Experience module and the final synoptic module is compulsory for all trainees (usually of eight weeks).

Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) requirement

This course involves regular access to children and/or vulnerable adults. Where this is the case, students will be required to complete a Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) application, previously known as a Criminal Records Bureau (CRB) check. The application will cost £51.86 (this amount may be subject to change) and the University will send further instructions as part of the admissions process. For further guidance please email dbs@brunel.ac.uk.

Assessment

Modules are assessed by means of assignments including essays and reflective writing supported by portfolios of evidence. Brunel University works in partnership with schools in assessing trainees' teaching competence. Schools submit regular progress reports and compile a profile at the end of each module of school experience. By the end of the course trainees must have attained all the standards needed for Qualified Teacher Status to be recommended to the Department for Education and Skills for QTS.

Assessment against the Standards for Qualified Teacher Status is for the 11-16 age range.

Careers

The Brunel PGCert (Secondary) English course has an excellent reputation both nationally and locally. The quality of teaching received by English trainees has been rated Grade 1 (Good with several outstanding features) by Ofsted. The course receives very positive evaluations from trainees, the overwhelming majority of whom are successful in achieving the first posts of their choice. Some of these trainees are now Heads and deputy Heads of English in local schools.

Fees for 2013/14 entry

UK/EU: £9,000 full-time; £4,500 part-time

International students: £12,000 full-time; £6,000 part-time

Fees and Finance: Full Time PG Cert Education Students 2012/13

TDA Training Bursaries

Fees quoted are per annum and are subject to an annual increase.

Entry Requirements

Pre-professional Course Attributes

Essential

• The ability to communicate effectively in both spoken and written English. If selected for interview, you will be expected to interact effectively with university tutors and school colleagues and demonstrate the potential to form positive and productive relationships with colleagues and pupils in schools and in professional learning contexts.

Desirable

• An awareness of the Professional Standards for the Award of Qualified Teacher Status (QTS). These are outlined on the Training and Development Agency (TDA) website in the document 'Qualifying to Teach' (TDA, 2007). They are the national expectations that all trainee teachers have to meet in order to qualify with QTS. Familiarity with them would be useful for you.

• An enthusiastic and energetic approach which communicates clearly your commitment to teaching and working with young people.

Pre-professional Course Knowledge

Essential

• An undergraduate or postgraduate degree in the field in which you intend to teach. Normally this should be a 2.2 classification or above in preparation for Masters level professional study.

• Maths and English grades A* to C or equivalent at GCSE level.

Desirable

• Modules within your pre professional degree course should provide a foundation of preparatory knowledge for the subject you are applying to teach.

• An informed personal philosophy on the aims of your subject area, drawing on relevant reading and research.

• An understanding of statutory requirements for your subject area within the state school sector as outlined on the following websites: www.newsecondarycurriculum.com and www.qca.org.uk/curriculum.

• An awareness of recent government policy or initiatives in education and your subject area.

Pre-professional Course Skills

Essential

• Recent and relevant experience of state school education in England, either team teaching or observing with experienced teachers. This should normally be pre professional teaching experience where you have had the opportunity to develop relationships with a group(s) of pupils over a sustained period of time. If selected for interview, evidence should be provided on school headed note paper and signed by relevant members of staff at the school(s) in question.

• Skills Tests - via the main GTTR application cycle, Brunel University will accept applications for PGCert courses within Education prior to completion of the Teaching Agency Skills Tests. If you are offered a place on one of the courses and have yet to meet the requirements of passing the Skills Tests then your offer will be conditional on passing these tests by the 30 June 2013. See more information on the Skills tests.
  

  Clearing applications will be dealt with on a case by case basis, however if you are in clearing from the 1 July 2013 the expectation is that you have already passed the required tests at the point of application to Brunel University.

Desirable

• Ideally pre professional preparatory school experience should be across two phases of education  i.e. Key Stage 3 and Key Stage 4.

• Evidence that you have planned, delivered and reflected on teaching or coaching episodes to pupils or young people in either educational contexts or within a learning community.

The Application Process

Following receipt of you application form from the Graduate Teacher Training Registry (GTTR), there are three stages:

• Initial screening by the Admissions Office for status, degree classification and GCSE requirements. In the case of some overseas qualifications, Brunel International may be consulted about the equivalence of these with British qualifications;

• Applications will then be passed to Admissions Tutors for the PGCert course you are applying to. The form will be scrutinised according to the criteria set out above. In addition, your application may highlight any questions or areas that Tutors may ask or explore if you are invited for an interview;

• If you are invited for an interview, the criteria set out above will again be used to assess your application. The interview will involve: documents checks by Admissions Office staff; an introduction to the Postgraduate Certificate in Education (PGCert) course with the Brunel Secondary Partnership; Individual oral presentations or a group discussion; a written exercise and/or subject knowledge audit as appropriate to the subject; an individual interview with two University and school-based staff. For PGCert Physical Education interviews, instead of the oral presentations or group discussion there will be a practical movement assessment using the context of gymnastics and a teaching episode where you will be required to teach a small group of fellow candidates a skill of your choice.

Following the interview we will consider all components of the process and will inform you of our decision as soon as possible.

It is important to realise that the above criteria are the ones we will use in assessing your application. Judgements, using these criteria, are based on our considerable experience as secondary school teachers and University-based teacher trainers, judgements from school-based colleagues who are part of the Secondary Brunel Partnership and are validated by regular quality enhancement procedures from Brunel University, the Brunel Secondary Initial Teacher Training Partnership Management Group, the South West London Teacher Education Consortium (SWELTEC) and by the cycle of rigorous Ofsted inspections carried out on a national basis.

English Language Requirements

Brunel also offers our own BrunELT English Test and accept a range of other language courses. We also have a range of Pre-sessional English language courses, for students who do not meet these requirements, or who wish to improve their English.