PGCE with QTS (Employed Route) - Postgraduate Certificate in Education with Qualified Teacher Status

Course overview

Our PGCE with QTS (Employed Route) enables trainee teachers to gain Qualified Teacher Status while in employment in schools in England.

The course is offered at primary level (for trainees teaching pupils aged 5-11) and in a range of subjects at secondary level (for trainees teaching pupils aged 11-16 or 11-18). The course is also offered for the 14-19 age range in subjects which are usually only taught in Key Stages 4 and 5.

• Trainees learn from expert practitioners ‘on the job’ while being paid.

• Academic learning takes place online with the support of experienced university lead mentors.

• Flexible delivery approaches ensure the course is accessible to trainee teachers anywhere in England.

• Choice of 20 subject specialisms at secondary level (11-19 age range).

Course details

The course maintains there is no one way to teach and encourages you to engage with a variety of teaching methods to develop your own best practice. It promotes the principle that continued professional development is fundamental to outstanding teaching and aims for its graduates to carry forward this belief throughout their careers.

There are four modules of study comprising Behaviour and Classroom Management, Curriculum Delivery and Assessment, Development of Teaching, and Practical Teaching Practice.

You will also undertake a second school placement2 to gain experience of teaching in more than one school, which will be organised by you with the support of the NITE Placement Team.

The Practical Teaching Practice module runs throughout the course, and formative assessment informs your progress and helps you to develop your teaching. At the end of the course, a summative assessment of your competency against the Teachers’ Standards is made.

For part-time trainees, these modules are spread across Year 1 and Year 2.

Modules

Behavior and Classroom Management – 15 credits

This module develops your understanding of educational psychology, neuroscience and contemporary educational theory on behaviour. You will explore how children learn, what influences behaviour and what strategies and interventions are effective for promoting good teaching and learning.

Curriculum Delivery and Assessment – 15 credits

This module aims to develop your knowledge of subject pedagogy, effective lesson planning and application of statutory codes for Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND), as well as principles of assessment and feedback practices.

Development of Teaching – 15 credits

This module aims to develop a reflective and self-critical approach to teaching. You will be required to demonstrate effective practice via critical evaluation and systematic analysis of your own teaching practice in line with The National Teachers’ Standards in England (Department for Education 2012).

Practical Teaching Practice – 15 credits

The Practical Teaching Practice module is practice-based and runs throughout the course. You will be encouraged to set, review and show you can meet targets related to your professional practice and demonstrate your teaching competency.