PGCE 5-11 With Send

At the Institute of Education at the University of Winchester, we know what you need to learn and understand to thrive in the classroom.  We know how important it is that teachers are autonomous, innovative, critical and reflective practitioners with the knowledge, skills and confidence to enable all children to grow and learn. 

Established in 1840 as a teacher training college and graded as Outstanding by Ofsted, the University of Winchester has a credible reputation for high-quality teacher education programmes.

Our highly sought-after graduates are equipped to succeed. We know that teachers need to be able to rise to the challenges of becoming a teacher and have the knowledge, understanding, skills and vision to be future leaders and innovators we want them to be.

Mastering how to teach well really matters.  Our curriculum will enable you to develop strong subject knowledge, learn how to teach all primary subjects effectively, innovate, and meet the needs of the children you will teach.

We firmly believe that every teacher is a teacher of SEND.  This course goes a step further, catering for those who wish to deepen their knowledge and specialise in special educational needs and disabilities.

We are proud to be collaborating with Southampton Inclusion Partnership on this new course  and build upon their specialist knowledge of special educational needs and disabilities. 

The SIP alliance aims to empower the learning and lives of children with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND) and make a real difference to the lives of their families.  Our PGCE Primary 5-11 with SEND will help you develop the knowledge, skills and understanding to support this vision.

As part of their campus-based training, our SEND students receive additional sessions explicitly focused on the skills, strategies and frameworks you'll need to understand to teach in a SEND setting or resource provision unit.

PGCE Primary is a postgraduate professional programme of Initial Teacher Education (ITE) leading to the academic awards of either a Postgraduate Certificate in Education or a Professional Graduate Certificate in Education.

Both awards include the recommendation of Qualified Teacher Status (QTS). Your QTS Status allows you teach any age range, however this programme prepares you to teach particular age ranges.

The course covers everything that student teachers need to develop the professional skills associated with high-quality teaching:

• expert tuition in all primary school subjects,

• understanding of how children learn and effective pedagogy,

• meeting the needs of all learners, and

• professional skills associated with high-quality teaching.

The course provides the opportunity to learn to teach in a stimulating and supportive environment from tutors with extensive expertise and experience.  You leave the programme as a high-quality postgraduate teacher with the skills, knowledge and motivation to inspire and educate others.

Our programme runs in close partnership with over 400 schools in the region, from large urban schools to small village schools serving diverse communities. 

Our extensive network of schools provides you with a variety of school experiences where you will apply what you have learned on campus, deepen your understanding of critical theories and refine your practice.

Southampton Inclusion Partnership works with an extensive network of SEND settings, which provide a diverse range of training opportunities. Supported by your Teacher Mentor and Link Tutor, you will undertake two assessed placements (totalling 120 days), developing your understanding and skills through classroom practice. 

You will spend a further 20 days engaged in Intensive Training and Practice (ITAP) weeks, where you will develop a reflective approach to your practice and the ability to work flexibly, responsively, and effectively in the classroom, 

Our highly practical programme is constantly reviewed with serving practitioners and experts to ensure students are equipped with the most up-to-date developments in primary education.

Working closely with our school partners helps ensure what you learn is informed by the latest research and current practice.  Teachers and Senior Leaders from our Partnership schools contribute to the programme, from recruitment to preparation to be Early Career Teachers, to ensure the University supports ongoing teacher development.

Choosing the 5-11 SEND route allows you to:

• Develop a deep knowledge and understanding of inclusive primary practice which involves the National Curriculum exploration of the and key pedagogies and theories in meeting the needs of individual learners with SEND.

• Gain enhanced understanding and knowledge of specialist provision in an SEND setting.

• Develop SEND expertise through working closely with SEND expert colleagues from a diverse range of settings.

The programme prides itself on the support and guidance offered to students.  Every student has a Professional Development Tutor who monitors and supports their progress through the programme.  Progress is tracked both academically and professionally to demonstrate that you have met the Teachers' Standards (Department for Education 2012) by the end of your training.

We are accredited by the Department for Education (DfE) to deliver Initial Teacher training programmes to achieve Qualified Teacher Status (QTS).

The PGCE counts as 60 Master's credits, equating to 1/3 of a Masters.

Course Features

• Become a great teacher – on an Ofsted-rated 'Outstanding' programme

• Benefit from working with experts in special educational needs and disabilities based in special school settings

• Learn through practical, interactive and informative seminars on all National Curriculum subjects, AEN, Early Years and professional practice

• Develop your understanding of what it means to be a teacher and the kind of teacher you are destined to be

• Learn with our experienced team of research-informed expert tutors who are innovators and leaders in their fields, with a passion for their subjects and a deep understanding of pedagogy

• Gain excellent, practical experience with two school placements: one in Key Stage One class in a mainstream school and one in a Special School, which will enable you to develop as a SEND skilled teacher

Course Details

Why Choose The PGCE Primary 5-11 With Send Route?

Choosing the 5-11 SEND route allows you to:

• Develop a deep knowledge and understanding of inclusive primary practice which involves the National Curriculum exploration of the and key pedagogies and theories in meeting the needs of individual learners with SEND.

• Gain enhanced understanding and knowledge of specialist provision in an SEND setting.

• Develop SEND expertise through working closely with SEND expert colleagues from a diverse range of settings.

Supporting You In Your Journey To Become A Future Teacher?

The programme prides itself on the support and guidance offered to students.  Every student has a Professional Development Tutor who monitors and supports their progress through the programme. 

Progress is tracked both academically and professionally to demonstrate that you have met the Teachers' Standards (Department for Education 2012) by the end of your training.

Learning and Teaching

Tutors with extensive experience and expertise of primary phase education support student learning through a range of teaching methods including lectures, seminars, workshops, tutorials, and number of technological channels including online discussion forums.

Attendance Regulations

There is a requirement for students to complete 120 days in school - students cannot be recommended for QTS unless we have evidence that they have completed these days.

The penalty for not completing 120 days in school is that they cannot be recommended for QTS but students can still receive the academic award. For more information about our regulations for this course, please see our Academic Regulations, Policies and Procedures library.