Education (Primary) PGDE

This Postgraduate Diploma in Education (PGDE) provides you with the skills, knowledge, and experience to develop a career in primary teaching. This GTCS-accredited qualification combines classroom learning with comprehensive placements throughout Dumfries & Galloway.

Why This Programme

• This programme is accredited by the General Teaching Council for Scotland (GTCS), giving you the qualification to pursue teaching roles in schools across the UK.

• Students will undertake 18 weeks of study at University and 18 weeks of school experience in our partner schools.

• As an aspiring teacher, this programme will provide you with the knowledge, skills and values you need to become the committed professional necessary for today’s schools.

• Building on your subject-specific knowledge, you will be supported to develop creative ways to enthuse and educate children.

• With an emphasis on reflective practice linked to professional standards, you will develop skills to become a reflective practitioner in the classroom.

Understanding Learniung and Teaching

Short Description

The overall aim of Understand Learning and Teaching is to develop students' knowledge and understanding of key theoretical discourses related to learning and teaching in schools. Students will examine a range of pedagogical theories and key aspects of child development and apply these insights to professional practice.

Course Aims

The aims of this course are:

• To develop students' critical understanding of theoretical discourses concerning learning and teaching and child development through an engagement with recent research.

• To develop students' ability to reflect on their professional practice and next steps by using insights from pedagogical research.

Intended Learning Outcomes of Course

By the end of this course students will be able to:

• Evaluate theories, scholarship, and professional literature to develop a research-informed understanding of theoretical discourses concerning learning and teaching.

• Apply theoretical understandings of the cognitive, social, and emotional development of children and the contexts in which they learn to their professional practice

• Apply a theoretical understanding of pedagogical approaches to critically reflect on their professional practice and to inform the next steps in their professional learning.

Learning And Teaching In The Primary Curriculam

Course Aims

• To develop a critical understanding of the current curriculum, policy and practice and their roles in constructing effective learning experiences for children

• To enable students to develop a range of learning and assessment strategies which they are able to justify, plan, deliver, assess and evaluate

• To ensure that students understand the link between effective teaching and the quality of children's learning, and the central importance of building productive relationships with the learners

• To enable students to subject the learning and teaching process to regular scrutiny through critical reflection

• To develop professional identity in the context of professional ethical codes, values and commitments

Intended Learning Outcomes of Course

By the end of this course students will be able to:

• Demonstrate a systematic and critical understanding of the curriculum, policy and practice guidelines

• Demonstrate a critical awareness of a range of approaches to teaching

• - Demonstrate theoretical and practical understandings of the relationship between teaching and learning

• Plan learning and teaching effectively to meet the needs of a socially and culturally diverse range of learners as well as those with additional support needs

• Use developing knowledge and understanding of how learning occurs to devise appropriate strategies for planning, implementation and assessment, with particular reference to strategies associated with Assessment is for Learning

• Build relationships with pupils and colleagues which foster learning

• Develop and continually improve professional practice through observation, reflection, evaluation, enquiry and critical engagement with literature

• Make ethical and professional judgements appropriate to their role as beginning teachers

PGDE With Teaching Qualification: School Experience

Short Description

The school experience placements provide opportunities for students to develop the knowledge, skills and values of the overall programme in a professional setting.

Course Aims

The school experience placement aims to:

• Develop informed, accountable, reflective and enquiring teachers for children aged 3-18 in accordance with the GTCS Standards for Provisional Registration.

• Develop beginning teachers who are able to contribute to changing educational contexts through proactive development of professional knowledge and understanding, values and personal commitment.

Intended Learning Outcomes of Course

By the end of this course students will be able to:

• Apply knowledge and understanding of relevant areas of the school curriculum to plan, prepare and teach coherent and progressive learning experiences offering young people opportunities to enrich their learning and contribute to their personal development.

• Apply pedagogical and theoretical understandings of cognitive, social and emotional development of children and the contexts in which they learn.

• Justify approaches to the assessment, recording and reporting of children's learning to ensure equitable education outcomes and high levels of attainment.

• Reflect critically on their professional practice to inform their next steps and professional career-long learning to positively impact on educational outcomes.

• Exhibit the values, conduct, professional knowledge, skills and abilities required by the benchmark standards for entry into the teaching profession.