PGCE Secondary Religious Education (Age Phase 11-16)

Summary 2012/13

• Study with the largest provider of high quality secondary teacher training in the UK;
• Discover quality teaching and learning opportunities utilising a range of faith practitioners from the range of world religions;
• Choice of full-time and flexible routes, to suit your lifestyle and commitments;
• Individually-tailored support.

"Edge Hill University provides its trainees, regardless of their chosen age range, with outstanding training": Grade 1 'outstanding' judgements made in all 33 inspection cells - Ofsted Initial Teacher Education inspection report, 12/5/2011.

Please note, the flexible pathway is suspended for September 2012 entry. The full-time route remains open for applications.

This PGCE will equip you with a range of academic, professional and vocational knowledge, understanding, skills and values necessary to become a high quality and skilled teacher of Religious Education.

The programme aims to develop reflective and analytical skills as well as providing practical experience in planning effective lessons and learning strategies.

Hands-on classroom experience, and opportunities to further your own subject knowledge is an integral part of the programme and helps you to develop useful contacts for the future, through meeting and talking with faith practitioners from a variety of world religions.

2012 Entry Requirements

To join this programme you should have: a first degree from a UK higher education institution or equivalent qualification; a degree classification usually at 2:2 or above (exceptions may be made); GCSE English Language and Mathematics at grade C or above (or equivalent qualification); satisfactory levels of Information and Communications Technology competence; a demonstrable interest in teaching within the curriculum area. You could show this in a number of ways such as time spent in schools, knowledge of the chosen curriculum area, or relevant practical experience.

Please note, for the purposes of initial teacher training, level 2 numeracy and literacy qualifications are not considered as equivalent to GCSE grade C in mathematics or English.

If you accept a formal offer from Edge Hill University you will be required to meet the Department for Education's standards for physical and mental fitness to teach and clearance to work with children. Further information, including a Declaration of Health questionnaire and details of how to apply for a Criminal Records Bureau Enhanced Disclosure will be sent to you after you have firmly accepted an offer.

Details

Who is this course for?

If you have a degree in Religious Education, or a related subject, want to raise cross-cultural awareness and encourage empathy and enquiring thinking in secondary school pupils aged 11 to 16, and wish to learn the latest professional methods to make you a confident and capable teacher, this programme is for you.

Take our flexible programme if you:

• Already have the required knowledge and experience to Qualified Teacher Status (QTS) standards, and simply require assessment before a recommendation for QTS (Pathway A);
• Currently work, unqualified, in a school setting and require the formal PGCE qualification and recommendation for QTS (Pathway B);
• Need the full training programme, but can't attend the one-year, full-time programme (Pathway C).

See further information for the Secondary Flexible Postgraduate Programme.

What will I gain from this programme?

You will experience professional training, delivered to the highest standards, incorporating the very latest teaching and learning pedagogies, to help you take up your first teaching post with confidence.

How we will support you

You will receive individually tailored support from your subject tutor at Edge Hill, and from two mentors for each placement: a professional mentor, who oversees all trainees, and a curriculum mentor, who will provide specific support in your subject area.

What will I study?

The following information is for trainees on the one-year, full-time programme:

You will start with an extensive subject knowledge and understanding audit. This will identify your main strengths and weaknesses, and enable your tutor to focus on your individual development needs.

During 12 weeks of study on campus, you’ll develop:

• Understanding of the role RE can play in promoting citizenship and community cohesion;
• Knowledge of essential educational theory;
• Awareness of appropriate and innovative teaching and assessment methods, including collage and display work, ICT research and presentations, videos, coursework and examination;
• Strategies to develop students’ understanding of various religious and ethical issues through discussion and debate, research, and field trips to faith communities;
• Understanding of the curriculum and Local Agreed Syllabi*, which influence the teaching of Religious Education according to the concerns and values of the faith communities within a particular area;
• Ability to plan lessons effectively;
• Excellent working knowledge of the latest ICT tools and software used in schools;
• Greater subject knowledge and professional and academic skills;
• Wider awareness of your role within the teaching profession through study of professional values;
• Knowledge and understanding of RE as Key Stage 3 and Religious Studies at Key Stage 4 and post-16.

If undertaking the flexible route, you may not need to undertake all the above study programme, work placements and methods of assessment, depending on your level and experience and which pathway you undertake.

How will I study?

A combination of academic study, group discussion and reflection, and practical, work-based learning in the classroom will give you all the knowledge and skills you need to become a creative and innovative teacher. The programme also aims to develop a reflective and a critically analytical approach to education.

You will also develop your subject knowledge and gain useful contacts with religious communities that could help you during your teaching career, by visiting places of worship and meeting faith practitioners from the six main world religions represented in the Local Syllabi.

Placement

You'll spend 26 weeks on placement in schools, colleges and settings, putting your training into practice through assisting in and taking responsibility for classes, and working alongside mentors and peers to further your professional development. Your teaching timetable will increase as your training progresses and you become more confident and competent in the classroom.

Who will be teaching me?

You will be taught by a dedicated team of knowledgeable, experienced, friendly and supportive tutors who have the welfare of their trainees as a number one priority.

How will I be assessed?

A balanced combination of coursework and observed classroom experience will be assessed against academic criteria at Levels 6 and 7 and the QTS Standards. Various other tasks will enable you to show your competence in ICT and other areas of Religious Education.

You will also undertake the QTS skills tests in Numeracy, Literacy and ICT, which must be passed, and complete a Career Entry Development Profile (CEDP) before gaining your final award.

What are my career prospects?

Successful completion of this programme will allow you to gain QTS and progress into employment as a Newly Qualified Teacher (NQT) at secondary school level in Religious Education.

Our proactive careers advisory service can help you to find job vacancies and offers in-depth advice on teacher job applications and interviews, to help you secure work.

Teaching is a rewarding job and there are many ways in which you could progress in your career, either in the classroom or in a leadership role. For more information, see www.education.gov.uk.

Further study at Edge Hill University

As a teacher, you will be keen to build your skills as your career progresses. Edge Hill is the largest provider of Professional Development for teachers in the country. You could gain further qualifications through your work in schools or through further in-depth study, such as an MA in Religious Education or Mentoring.

During your PGCE programme, we will carefully prepare you for your NQT year by helping to identify your continuing training needs. Edge Hill's Professional Development team will continue to support you through your NQT year and be available throughout your teaching career.

A Great Study Environment

Based in 160 acres of beautifully landscaped grounds, the Ormskirk Campus is a unique and inspirational place to study. Industry standard resources and cutting edge technology combine to make an interactive and highly advanced teaching and learning environment. Everything you could want is on one site with 25 acres of sport and leisure facilities, more than 1,000 rooms in halls of residence and fantastic modern spaces in which you can study and socialise.

The University library gives you access to thousands of books, journals, online resources and extensive PC and media provision. You'll get all the support you need to succeed, reflected in Edge Hill University being ranked in the top two in England for students' personal development, and the top three in the country for assessment and feedback, in the 2011 National Student Survey. The University is also featured in the top four in England for graduate employment.

How do I apply?

Apply online through GTTR. Visit www.gttr.ac.uk.

See our How to Apply pages for more information on the application process and our Admissions criteria.

Fees and Finance

For academic year 2012/13, Edge Hill University will charge £9,000 for full-time PGCEs. The fee for flexible PGCE students in academic year 2012/13 is £75 per credit (120 credits are required to complete the PGCE). Eligible full-time and flexible students will not have to pay upfront for their tuition. The cost of tuition will be paid by a loan which you will only start to repay once you have finished the course and are earning over £21,000.

Both full-time and flexible UK students joining this PGCE in academic year 2012/13 may be eligible for a bursary, worth £9,000 to students with a first class honours degree and £5,000 to students with a 2:1 honours degree. If you are eligible to receive this bursary, you will be issued with a pre-printed application/declaration form at enrolment. The bursary is administered by the Training and Development Agency for Schools.

In addition to the above, eligible full-time students can apply for a maintenance grant, subject to household income, and a non-means-tested loan to help with living costs.

Edge Hill University also offers £1,000 Entrance Scholarships for prospective full-time PGCE students. These awards recognise determination, commitment and achievement in creative arts, performing arts, sport and volunteering. For more information on scholarships, including eligibility criteria, visit www.edgehill.ac.uk/scholarships.

To find out more about grants, loans and bursaries for full-time PGCE students in academic year 2012/13, visit www.edgehill.ac.uk/pgcefees2012.

For more information on financial support for flexible PGCE students in academic year 2012/13, visit www.edgehill.ac.uk/pgcefees2012flex.

Please note, the above information is for UK and eligible EU students only. International students should check the fees and finance information at www.edgehill.ac.uk/internationalfees2012.

Not got the entry requirements?

If you would like pre-entry advice and guidance about your qualifications, please complete the advice and guidance online enquiry form.

If you do not have the relevant GCSEs required for this programme, Edge Hill University offers GCSE equivalency tests in English, Mathematics and Science. You must have the required GCSEs or equivalent before you can start the PGCE.

Awards

• Professional Graduate Certificate in Education
• Postgraduate Certificate in Education QTS only (flexible route only)

Where can I find out more?

If you would like to receive a copy of our prospectus or be kept updated about forthcoming events, contact the Course Information, Advice and Guidance Team by emailing study@edgehill.ac.uk or calling 01695 657000.

If you want to attend one of our open events held throughout the year, visit www.edgehill.ac.uk/postgradopendays to book your place.

You will also find Edge Hill University staff at many postgraduate study fairs taking place across the UK and Ireland.

Still want more?

If you have any questions you would like to ask the programme leaders about this course, please contact:

• Francis Farrell, Full-Time Course Leader
• Tel: 01695 584220
• Email: farrellf@edgehill.ac.uk

or

• Mike Ashton, Flexible Course Leader
• Tel: 01695 584220
• Email: ashtonm@edgehill.ac.uk

Overseas students should visit www.edgehill.ac.uk/international or email international@edgehill.ac.uk for further information.