Postgraduate Certificate in Education in Further Education and Skills Sector

Overview

Teaching in the Further Education and Skills Sector is rewarding and unique. You will work in a vibrant environment whereby you will inspire and make a difference in the lives of students from diverse backgrounds in a wide range of contexts.

You will pass the knowledge and skills you have developed during your degree and/ or industrial experience to the next generation to prepare them for the world of work or higher education.

Our full-time one-year Level 7 Postgraduate Certificate in Education (PGCE) in Further Education and Skills Sector will equip you with the knowledge, skills and values needed to meet Occupational Standards for the Further Education and Skills teacher role.

This will enable you to facilitate the learning of a diverse range of students, including young adults aged 14-19 and mature students, and help them to achieve their goals. You will also be able to apply for the Qualified Teacher Learning and Skills status (QTLS) via the Society for Education and Training, after the completion of the course.

You will develop a deep understanding of the main principles for teaching, learning and assessment in your subject specialist area, as well as of the Further Education context. You will engage in hands-on activities so that you can effectively transfer educational theory into your own teaching practice.

LSBU has a particular focus on social justice and inclusion, so we will help you adopt innovative inclusive practices to meet the diverse needs of students in a variety of further education settings.

You will be encouraged to develop your critical reflection skills and undertake original practitioner research to improve your own practice and offer the best learning experience to your own students.

You will have the chance to critically analyse current policies and practices and adjust them to meet the needs of your students regardless of their educational, social, cultural and economic background.

Our PGCE develops reflective practitioners whose teaching practice is underpinned by evidence-informed pedagogies, and who are committed to inclusive practice and continuing professional development.

Year 1

Principles for Teaching, Learning and Assessment in subject specialist areas (20 credits)
This module introduces you to evidence-informed principles for teaching, learning and assessment that will support you with the planning and delivery of face-to-face and online sessions within your own subject specialist area. You will develop a critical understanding of theories underpinning curriculum development, lesson planning, digital pedagogies, feedback, and assessment design.

This will give you the opportunity to select and apply effective teaching strategies considering the educational contexts and your students’ needs. You will review, create and adapt inclusive learning resources, including digital resources, to meet students’ diverse needs. The module will also enhance your self-reflection skills and self-confidence in teaching in further education contexts.

Creating an inclusive environment in further education and skills sector (20 credits)
This module is designed to help you develop a deep understanding of the diverse individual students’ needs and of effective inclusive teaching, learning and assessment practices. Emphasis will be given to social class, race and diversity, gender and sexual orientation, asylum seekers and refugee families, disability and equity, as well as linguistic and cultural diversity.

You will critically review the current educational policies and institutional processes and procedures related to inclusive education in the Further Education and Skills Sector. You will critically reflect upon current teaching practices adopted to support students within the Further Education and Skills Sector. Thus, you will develop innovative inclusive practices to meet the diverse needs of students.

Action Research (40 credits)
This module aims to support you with the design and implementation of an original practitioner research project relevant to your own teaching practice. The project aims to enhance your own teaching practice and improve student achievement and learning experiences.

You are expected to follow the action research cycle whereby you will critically reflect upon your teaching practice to identify an area for development, design and implement an intervention taking into account ethical considerations. By reflecting on the effectiveness of your intervention, you will draw conclusions and provide recommendations of how to keep improving your future teaching practice.

Professional Practice (40 credits)
This module is a Level 6 module and underpins the entire PGCE course. It focuses on the Occupational Standards to enhance your understanding of the Further Education and Skills teacher roles and responsibilities.

You will become familiar with the historical developments of the Further Education and Skills Sector and the characteristics of diverse FE settings, e.g., Prison Education. You will produce and maintain a portfolio of professional practices throughout your course to provide evidence of your teaching practice and reflective practice that contributes to improving your teaching practice.