PGCE Secondary Education: Information and Communications Technology

You will have to possess a real interest and aptitude for ICT and an ability to think creatively in presenting the subject to others. Above all, you will need a real commitment to the education of young people. Competition for places is strong, and you are advised to apply as soon as possible.

Also you will need:

A good honours degree in IT or Computer Science. A joint degree, with at least 50% ICT content, and a National Curriculum subject will be acceptable.

If your first degree is not in IT or Computing then we may be able to offer an alternative route of entry that would also give you a professionally recognised qualification – please contact us for more details

A sound all-round knowledge of the subject

Ideally, some experience in teaching and working with children in an educational setting, or experience of IT training

Recent experience of teaching with or shadowing an ICT teacher in a secondary school (this may be arranged as part of the interview process)

Sound spoken communication, literacy and numeracy skills

GCSE grade C or above, or equivalent, in English and mathematics are required

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 subject specific interview/ examination.

The entrance exam has both verbal and written components and is designed to identify your strengths and areas for development. It contains a mix of key stage 3, GCSE and A-level style questions that cover the secondary ICT curriculum. You will be sent information on how to prepare when you are notified of your interview.

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 commitment 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 methodologies that will prepare you for life in the classroom including teacher-led discussions, pupil-led exploration, peer-group discovery, problem based learning, and of course, e-Learning.

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.

Typical activities 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 reflection on 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

The full time route

24 weeks of the PGCE course (total of 36) 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. Each placement is organised so that it starts with time in the school and at University.

We try to take your geographical location into account when placing you in schools. The University based elements of the course take place at the Walsall Campus.

The full-time route: Starting in September and ending in June the full-time route is the quickest 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. At least 120 days of your PGCE will be spent in schools. The requirements of teacher training mean that you must experience two different schools, and so two different placements are arranged by the university.

The flexible route

Available on a block-release/ potentially part-time basis if you are unable to study full-time. Similarly you may be suitable for the flexible route if you have some prior teaching experience, as exemption may be granted from some of the study requirements. The length and structure of your course will be dependent upon individual needs and will be negotiated with you, your subject tutor and your partner school.

The flexible course has two start dates: October and April each year. The course starts with an Initial Audit of your subject knowledge and school experience, and from this your Individual Training Plan is developed, outlining the modules you will study, when your school placements will take place and how long your course will last.

As a flexible trainee you have the option of studying some of the course part-time, via University or home-study options, but you must complete within a maximum of three years. The minimum time likely to complete will be four terms.