PGCE Secondary Education: Biology

A degree in a strand of science or applied science, with 60% of the content in a relevant National Curriculum science area (from life processes and living things; materials and their properties; physical processes)

Ability to demonstrate a high level of competence and confidence in your own scientific subject knowledge across the sciences

Recent experience of shadowing teachers in a science department in a secondary school

GCSE grade C or above (or equivalent) in English and mathematics.

Interview and Selection

Once your application has been forwarded to subject staff, your suitability is individually assessed. If you appear suitable, you will be offered an interview where you are required to sit a short subject specific interview/ examination.

The main purpose of the interview is to:

give you an insight into the nature of the course, the teaching profession and to assess your commitments to it

explore your subject strengths and areas for development

assess your ability to communicate effectively in spoken and written English

arrange a partnership school visit as necessary

answer all of your questions

Over the one year course, you undertake two periods of University-based learning at Walsall Campus, and you spend at least 120 days divided between two different schools

Your University tutor is available to assist you throughout your training, and every effort is made to ensure you have a high-quality school placement, where you can learn from experienced teachers

All course modules provide examples of good practice in teaching which you will reflect upon as you develop your own teaching style. You will be expected to participate actively in your own learning and development

Teaching on the course reflects a variety of methods that will prepare you for life in the classroom including teacher-led debates, pupil-led exploration, peer-group discovery and the provision of individual targets. You will be assessed in a variety of ways including written assignments, school-based project and other school-based activities and appraisal of practical teaching skills. The majority teaching sessions will be alongside trainees from the other science routes, with a small number dedicated specifically to biology.

All University-based elements of the course take place at the Walsall Campus.

Typical modules may include

Observation of teaching, before undertaking ‘sheltered’ teaching activities, for example teaching parts of lessons or groups of pupils within a class

Progression to teaching single or short sequences of lessons

Further development through planned classroom activities

Development of teaching skills as you move to sustained sequences of lessons

Research in the University and school on the use of ICT in the teaching of your subject

PGCE: programme structure

Starting in September and ending in June the full-time PGCE is the fastest and most condensed way for non-experienced trainees to qualify.

The course comprises of two school placements and two periods of University-based teaching September to October; January to February.

24 weeks of the 36 week PGCE course will be spent in schools. You will have one school attachment during the autumn term and another (in a different school) in the spring/summer terms. During the second attachment a proportion of your teaching at key stage 4 will be focussed on your chosen specialist area.

We try to take your geographical location into account when placing you in schools but our first concern is to ensure that you have a high quality school placement that can provide a range of experiences. Additional training will therefore take place in partner schools other than your 'attachment' schools. Support is available from your University Tutor throughout your training, plus from experienced teachers accredited by the University as school based tutors.