PGCert Secondary Education (Physics with Mathematics) with recommendation for QTS

About the Course

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This new course has resulted from an initiative by the professional body for physics, the Institute of Physics, in response to current and future needs for specialist physics teachers in secondary schools who may wish to offer mathematics as a second subject. It is a full time postgraduate course with two of the education modules at Masters –level of 30 credits each. As part of an existing PGCert programme for Secondary education it is recognised by the Teaching Agency (TA) as recommendation for Qualified Teacher Status, subject to satisfactory completion of all the requirements that are part of the Teachers’ Standards from September 2012.

Potential students will be graduates of physics or engineering who may be recent graduates or ‘career changers’ of different ages. The normal entry requirement is a bachelor’s degree from a recognised University, at second-class honours or above and one where physics topics form at least 50% of the degree content.
 

Aims

This qualification aims to produce reflective, confident and competent teachers of physics and mathematics who are able to be effective at planning, teaching and assessing these subjects in secondary schools and contribute to the whole school community.

This course may involve regular access to children and/or vulnerable adults. Where this is the case, students will be required to complete 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 Contact Admissions.

Enquiries

Dr Dawn Leslie, Senior Lecturer, School of Sport and Education
Email dawn.leslie@brunel.ac.uk        
Tel +44 (0)1895 267367

Dr Rob Toplis, Senior Lecturer, School of Sport and Education
Email rob.toplis@brunel.ac.uk            
Tel +44 (0)1895 265778

Taught Programmes Office            
Email sse-tpo@brunel.ac.uk
Tel +44 (0)1895 267019

Related Courses

• PGCert Secondary Education (Science with Physics) with recommendation for QTS

Special Features

This course was initiated by the Institute of Physics and is enhanced by Brunel Education staff’s close working relationship with this professional body. It has been developed to meet the needs of aspiring physics with mathematics teachers in schools and broadly follows a similar pattern to our existing successful Postgraduate Certificate in Secondary Education courses where Ofsted noted key strengths that included:

• the highly reflective trainees who demonstrate secure subject knowledge and effective management of pupils’ behaviour based on positive relationships within lessons;
• the preparation of trainees for teaching pupils in a diverse society.

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

The course in informed by staff research interests in science and physics education, particle physics, subject knowledge enhancement courses for trainee and experienced teachers and our experience of working with a range of schools that reflect the variety and diversity of the region.

The course is enhanced by the School of Sport and Education’s innovative approach to the use of new technologies to support teaching and learning.    

Accreditation

Postgraduate Certificate in Secondary Education (PGCert) with Qualified Teacher Status.

Facts and Figures

Successful completion of this course provides 60 Masters-level credits that allow exemption from 60 credits (two modules) of the MA (Education) award at Brunel.

Course Content

This course runs from early September through to late June. When the course starts there is an assessment of subject knowledge so that targeted improvements can be addressed and reviewed throughout the year. As the course proceeds, time is spent alternating between University and school, leading up to a full-time school experience block in the first school until Christmas. A similar pattern occurs in January leading up to full-time experience in a second and different school.

Two thirds of the time is spent teaching in schools. As school experience begins, support is provided by a school-based mentor, whose role involves guidance and management of professional development; the school’s Professional Co-ordinating Mentor (PCM) who has an overview of whole school issues and student teachers in the school, and the University tutors(s). Observation, team-teaching and whole class teaching under supervision develops alongside experienced teachers.
 

Modules

The course has three core modules.

• The first module, General Professional Education, focuses on what it means to be an educational professional and to be a reflective practitioner, including the role of professional development, schools as learning communities, the curriculum and the hidden curriculum, action research and evidence-based practice. The assignment for this module allows trainees to familiarise themselves with the relevant literature and to critically appraise this literature to develop a coherent and supported argument.
  
  
• The second module allows trainees to prepare a small-scale project, based on selection of a professional problem from their classroom experience. This module assignment will be in the form of a poster presentation that provides an introduction to the problem, an appraisal of the literature, the ethical considerations and the methods proposed to investigate it. This assignment carries 30 M-level credits.
  
  
• The third module is an investigation of the chosen project that involves collecting data in schools, presentation, discussion and any conclusions and implications from the results. The assignment will be in the form of a presentation to staff and colleagues. This assignment carries 30 M-level credits.

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

In addition to the three module assignments above, trainees will need to have passed all the skills tests, the school-based experience and all of the Teachers’ Standards needed, via a portfolio of evidence. 

Employability

With Physics being designated as a priority subject, we would expect all successful trainees to be employed.

Placements

Two different schools are chosen to complement and reflect the diversity of experience required.

Fees for 2013/14 entry

UK/EU: £9,000 full-time

International students: £12,000 full-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

Applicants are normally required to have a minimum of a second class honours degree in physics or a physics related subject, such as an appropriate engineering degree; a mathematics A level; A GCSE or equivalent at grade C or above in English and Mathematics and some experience of observing science classrooms in comprehensive or non-selective state schools. Applicants are also required to provide an assurance that on successful completion of the course, they will teach in England.

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.

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.