PGCert Secondary Education (Mathematics) with recommendation for QTS

About the Course

Mathematics is one of the three core subjects in the National Curriculum along with English and Science. As such, it is accorded a high status and there are ample opportunities for the promotion of good teachers.

Attitudes among pupils to the subject are extremely varied. The challenge for you is to bring Mathematics to life and inspire pupils of all abilities to explore the subject's potential at an appropriate level. You have to be able to encourage and support pupils who struggle with Mathematics or lack enthusiasm for the subject, and learn how to make it accessible to them. You also have to be able to extend those who enjoy and are successful in the subject. This requires real skill and commitment. We can help you develop the skill but you must have the commitment already.

Aims

The PGCert (Secondary) Mathematics course meets the requirements of the Standards for Qualified Teacher Status as set out in the TTA publication 'Qualifying to Teach'. The Mathematics course has a practical basis with attention given to resourcing, planning and productive classroom methodologies. Attention is given to the enhancement of trainees' subject knowledge through directed and independent study.

Enquiries

Information on available funding.

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.

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

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.”

Course Content

The PGCert (Secondary) Mathematics course meets the requirements of the Standards for Qualified Teacher Status as set out in the TTA publication 'Qualifying to Teach'. The Mathematics course has a practical basis with attention given to resourcing, planning and productive classroom methodologies. Attention is given to the enhancement of trainees' subject knowledge through directed and independent study.

During the introductory weeks of the mathematics course, trainees plan and team-teach a series of lessons to Year 7 pupils at a secondary school.

Throughout the main mathematics programme, theory and practice are integrated and full use of practical school experience is made. The mathematics programme enables you to:

• consider the nature of mathematics, its status and potential in relation to the secondary school;
• develop a working familiarity with the demands of the Mathematics 11-18 curriculum including examination syllabuses, with a particular emphasis on the 11-16 age range for the purpose of QTS assessment;
• develop the ability to select and make appropriate use of a range of equipment and resources to promote the learning of mathematics;
• apply your knowledge of mathematics to the preparation, planning, teaching, assessment and evaluation of pupils' work in school;
• develop as a creative, reflective and innovative professional, able to meet the challenges presented by educational change;
• work closely in a supportive, friendly team with other trainee teachers;
• build a significant portfolio of subject knowledge, which provides a confident basis for first-post applications;
• gain an understanding of teachers' work in the areas of Special Educational Needs and ICT.

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 ands 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

Coursework is designed to enable the trainee to reflect upon and synthesise the underpinning knowledge about mathematics teaching that they develop during the PGCert year. In order to gain the PGCert qualification and qualify as a teacher, trainees must meet professional standards, including basic skills tests in numeracy, literacy and ICT, set out by the Department for Education and Skills. Successful candidates receive a Career Entry and Development Profile, which provides the basis of the trainee's induction year as a newly qualified teacher.

Careers

Mathematics teachers are in short supply and prospects for employment and promotion are good.

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 ie 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.

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.