Primary Early Years PGCE (3-7)

The Primary Postgraduate Certificate in Education is a high-quality programme of professional education, leading to Qualified Teacher Status (QTS) and Master’s level credits.

Our course aims to develop you into a highly reflective practitioner, able to adapt and respond to changes in settings and national educational contexts, and able to take responsibility for your ongoing professional development in preparation for future leadership.

 We're nationally known for the quality of our training, and our work's based on a partnership with over 500 local schools in Coventry, Warwickshire and the West Midlands.

100% of trainees agreed

• That they have been effectively trained by partnership trainers, lecturers and programme staff.

• They were confident the training programme would make them a good or better teacher.

• They know how to promote:

• Mathematical skills

• Literacy skills

• Good behaviour through their teaching and implement a range of behaviour

• management strategies.

Course details

Course overview

Our Early Years Postgraduate Certificate in Education (PGCE) focuses on the 3-7 age range. Our courses will develop you into a highly effective teacher, equipped with the values, skills, and knowledge to become a successful school leader.

On the course you will learn key pedagogic principles e.g. behaviour management, assessment for learning and how to meet the needs of all through creating an inclusive classroom.

You will develop your subject knowledge whilst learning how to plan and teach across all National Curriculum subjects, and the Foundation Stage Curriculum (Early Years Programme). Enhanced training in SEND teaching and learning is a distinctive aspect of our school and professional experience.

You will have access to excellent personal, academic and pastoral support. From our partner schools, you can expect a programme of mentor support and professional training and development, which complements the University-based elements of the course, and which will support your development of classroom practice.

In partnership with regional schools, we will ensure that you have the skills and knowledge needed to forge a strong personal and professional identity, which you will continue to develop throughout your career. The Warwick Teacher Values, of Social Justice, Intellectual Curiosity and Creativity run through all our programmes.

What is a PGCE?

A Postgraduate Certificate in Education (PGCE) is usually a one-year teacher training course. It offers a mixture of academic and practical learning, and it's the first step for graduates in the development of a teaching career. It provides a recommendation for Qualified Teacher Status (QTS – a requirement to teach in the state school system as a Early Career Teacher).

Which route will you take?

Core | University-led

You will spend a minimum of 120 days in school spread across a minimum of two placement schools, which will be organised by our partnership office for you. Throughout these placements, you will engage in weekly observations and meetings with a Warwick trained school-based mentor and have an allocated point of contact at the university with a moderation tutor.

You will also have further days in school as part of our Intensive Training and Practice programme focussing on key pedagogies including behaviour, phonics and adaptive teaching.

The rest of the programme will consist of sessions taught by the University of Warwick on our Westwood Campus, focussing on developing your knowledge and understanding of both the central issues in education (e.g. how children learn, assessment, adaptive teaching, behaviour management, etc.) and how to teach the breadth of the curriculum.

If you feel passionate about teaching and would like a programme offering placements in a range of schools with contrasting policies and schemes of work, this may be the best option for you.

You will be trained across the Early Years and Key Stage 1 and gain an understanding of both curriculums and a range of teaching strategies. We will provide you with a good grounding upon which you will be building your professional skills and understanding in schools.

Lead Partner Route

On the Partner led route PGCE programme, approx.130 days are spent in school and the rest of the programme will consist of sessions taught by the University of Warwick, some school-led sessions and independent study. You will also have further days in school as part of our Intensive Training and Practice programme focussing on key pedagogies including behaviour, phonics and adaptive teaching.

If you would rather be immersed in the classroom environment and school culture, consider the partner led route where you'll spend the majority of the year based in a single school. There are two Lead Partner Routes available, Partner Led Training and School Direct Salaried.

On the Lead Partner route you may be eligible for funding via a tuition fee loan through Student Finance England. Partner led route provides an employment-based option and is ideal for graduates with extensive work experience, who have worked in a school or similar setting for some time. You won’t be eligible for any bursaries or scholarships but you will receive a salary while you train.

General entry requirements

Minimum requirements

• UK Bachelors degree with Honours at 2:2 or above, or equivalent level.

• At least Grade C or the new Grade 4 in GCSE English, Mathematics and Science.*

Equivalency Tests

We are able to accept approved 3rd party equivalency tests in place of GCSEs. The current providers that have been approved are as follows, with details of the current discounts that are available.

 If you are intending to use another equivalency testing company, we recommend you contact our admissions team prior to doing so to ensure that they meet the entry criteria. 

Equivalency Testing

• Why choose Equivalency Testing? 

• Long standing company 

• Excellent student support 

• Secure testing 

• Good and quick feedback 

• Significant discount available for PGCE offer holders, please email [email protected] for the code.

A Star Equivalency**

Why chose A Star Equivalency? 

• Excellent student support 

• A clear outline of required material in each exam 

• Rolling programme of live online subject specific support sessions. 

• An extensive range of free support material 

• Practice papers and marking schemes 

Core Modules

Subject Studies

This module focuses on the evidence base, subject knowledge and practice of teaching all the subjects across the curriculum. Early Years trainees are trained to teach all the Early Years Foundation Stage areas of learning in addition to the Key Stage 1 National Curriculum subjects.

Professional Enquiry

This module is concerned with pedagogy – the method and practice of teaching. It addresses central issues such as, teaching methods, how children learn, meeting individual needs, assessment, adaptive teaching and behaviour management. The module includes input from specialist teachers and will help you develop teaching that is effective and inclusive of all learners.

Professional Practice

This module connects the taught curriculum and school placements, focusing on how you are embedding new knowledge and robust evidence into your own teaching in a school placement. It also includes training which develops your professional behaviours such as reflective practice, teacher wellbeing and safeguarding.

Assessment

You will be assessed through written Master’s level assignments, which are aimed at assessing your professional and subject-specific learning. You’ll also be assessed on whether you meet the Teachers' StandardsLink opens in a new window at a level appropriate for a newly qualified teacher.

The current assessment methods consist of the following, however, CTE reserves the right to change these as appropriate in line with the requirements of regulatory authorities such as Ofsted and the DfE.

Professional Enquiry (Master's level)

Coursework focusing on a key issue and combining theory with your practice in schools. (Master's level assignment.)

Subject Studies (Master's level)

Coursework focusing on the role of the adult in supporting children's language development across the curriculum. (Masters level assignment.)

Professional Practice (Honour's level)

Meeting the Teachers’ Standards – at a Good or Outstanding level (weekly observations by School Mentor; visits by Link Tutor, and tutorials with Personal Tutor and completion of an online reflective account.)