Secondary English with QTS (11-16) PGCE
GOV.UK code: QXXX
If you think you could develop young people’s literary knowledge and unlock a love of language, you’re in the right place. Train to teach English to 11-16 year-olds and gain recommendation for Qualified Teacher Status (QTS).
Overview
| Course length: | 1 year full-time |
|---|---|
| Start dates: | September 2023 September 2024 |
| Location: | Edge Hill University |
| Subject(s): | Education and Teaching |
| Faculty: | Education |
| Department: | Secondary and Further Education |
Ready to change the way young people understand and use English? Want to develop their literary appreciation in an engaging way? Eager to grow your subject expertise? If you have a degree in a related subject, training to teach English to secondary school pupils on our PGCE course could be your perfect next step.
You’ll learn to reflect on your own philosophy of teaching English, develop analytical skills and boost your own subject knowledge. With plenty of practical experience in planning effective lessons, you’ll also get lots of hands-on experience. At Edge Hill, our experts will introduce you to a range of exciting and interactive teaching methods, including the use of drama and ICT.
Confidence in the classroom
You’ll spend up to 26 weeks on placement in a secondary school focusing on 11-16 teaching. Although you’ll only observe at the start, you’ll gradually get more opportunities to take the lead, helping you become more confident and more competent in the classroom.
Throughout your placement, you’ll be supported by your English tutor and school-based expert mentor. Listen to their advice about how to apply what you’ve learnt in seminars to the classroom. Turn to them whenever you need support or feedback.
Successful completion of the programme leads to recommendation for Qualified Teacher Status (QTS).
Subject knowledge enhancement
Want to boost or refresh your subject knowledge in English? Our free subject knowledge enhancement course will prepare you for teaching the conceptual and applied aspects of English effectively to learners aged 11-16 years.
Course features
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International students can apply
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Professional accreditation
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Professional practice placements
What you'll study
At the start of your course you will undertake an audit of your subject knowledge. This way you can identify your areas of strength and those you need to develop.
We’ll help you understand how to incorporate lively, interactive techniques into your lessons to boost your students’ confidence and self-esteem.
Study essential educational theory. Explore innovative teaching and assessment methods, including group work, role play and focused literacy sessions. Discover different strategies to encourage students’ understanding and use of English, including using drama, film and ICT.
You’ll learn about the curriculum, including the latest ICT tools and software and how to plan a lesson effectively. To prepare for life as a teacher, you’ll discover more about professional roles and responsibilities, as well as improving your academic skills.
How you'll study
A combination of academic study, group discussion and reflection, presentations and simulations, 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 aims to develop a reflective and critically analytical approach to education.
You will spend up to 26 weeks on placement in schools, colleges and other 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. The focus initially is on observation and supporting teaching and learning. Your teaching timetable will increase as your training progresses and you become more confident and competent in the classroom.
How you'll be assessed
You will be assessed, through a balanced combination of coursework and portfolio assessments, against both academic criteria and the Standards related to QTS. Various other tasks will enable you to show your competence in ICT and other areas of English.
Before the end of your PGCE you will need to complete a Career Entry and Development Profile (CEDP) which acts as a useful bridge between your initial teacher training programme and your two-year induction as an early career teacher.
Who will be teaching you
The Faculty of Education has been at the forefront of teacher education for 135 years and today enjoys the enviable position of being one of the country’s leading providers of education, training and research for the children’s workforce.
Friendly, supportive tutors from across the Faculty of Education, including English specialists, Drama experts and ICT practitioners, will give you a thorough knowledge of current methods of teaching English, and guidance in the practical application of that knowledge.
Entry criteria
Entry requirements
To join this PGCE, you will be expected to have:
- A degree equivalent to UK first-class or second-class honours (2:2 or above) in a relevant subject. Other subjects may be considered if you have an A Level (or equivalent qualification) in English and a willingness to engage in subject knowledge enhancement
- GCSE English Language and GCSE Mathematics at Grade C or Grade 4 or above (or equivalent qualification)
- Satisfactory levels of Information and Communications Technology competence
- A commitment to, and understanding of, secondary education, demonstrating the personal attributes, values and motivation required to train as a teacher.
Please note, for the purposes of initial teacher training, level 2 literacy and numeracy qualifications are not considered as equivalent to GCSE Grade C or Grade 4 in English Language and Mathematics.
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 Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) Enhanced Disclosure will be sent to you after you have firmly accepted an offer.
English language requirements
International students require IELTS 6.5, with a score no lower than 6.0 in each individual component, or an equivalent English language qualification.
If your current level of English is half a band, one band, or one-and-a-half bands lower, either overall or in one or two elements, you may want to consider our Pre-Sessional English course.
How to apply
Apply full-time
Read our guide to applying for PGCEs and PGDEs to find out more about the application process.
International
Please see our international student pages for further information about how to apply as a prospective international student.
Should you accept an offer of a place to study with us and formally enrol as a student, you will be subject to the provisions of the regulations, rules, codes, conditions and policies which apply to our students. These are available at www.edgehill.ac.uk/studentterms.
If you join a full time undergraduate degree at Edge Hill University, we will guarantee you the offer of a room in our halls of residence for the first year of your course.
Discover our accommodation
Facilities
Housed in a state-of-the-art £9million building, the Faculty of Education enjoys a stunning setting from both its lakeside and piazza buildings.
Facilities in the lakeside building include a 300-seat lecture theatre, five well-equipped ICT suites, and 18 teaching rooms complete with the latest technology. The lakeside building is also home to a popular vegan and vegetarian cafe where students can meet to socialise and discuss their studies.
The nearby piazza building offers modern facilities including a lecture theatre and a number of seminar rooms.
Where you'll study
Faculty of Education
Finance
Tuition fees
UK Full-Time
£9,250
for the course
International
£13,750
for the course
EU/EEA and Swiss students who have settled or pre-settled status under the EU Settlement Scheme, as well as Irish nationals, may be eligible for the UK tuition fee rate.
Financial support
Subject to eligibility, UK students joining this course can apply for a Tuition Fee Loan from the Government to cover the full cost of tuition fees. UK students enrolling on the course may also be eligible to apply for additional funding to help with living costs. If you are a UK student joining this PGCE in academic year 2023/24, you may be eligible to receive a Department for Education bursary worth £15,000 if you have a first class, 2:1 or 2:2 honours degree or have successfully completed a PhD or Masters award. Please view the relevant Money Matters guide for comprehensive information about the financial support available to eligible UK students.
EU/EEA and Swiss students who have settled or pre-settled status under the EU Settlement Scheme may be eligible to apply for financial support. Irish nationals can ordinarily apply to Student Universal Support Ireland (SUSI). If you are an EU student who does not have settled or pre-settled status, or are an international student from a non-EU country, please see our international student finance pages.
Your future career
This PGCE is accredited by the Department for Education. Successful completion of the programme will enable you to gain recommendation for Qualified Teacher Status (QTS).
You’ll be well placed to progress into employment as an early career teacher of English at secondary school level. Our proactive careers service can help you to find job vacancies. They also offer in-depth advice on teacher job applications and interviews.
With plenty of academic and professional experience, you might decide to continue your studies with a MA or MRes. After that, you might even decide to do a PhD.
