Independent PGCE for Independent Schools and Academies

The Independent School Postgraduate Certificate of Education has been developed in close consultation with the Headmasters’ and Headmistresses’ Conference (HMC). Since 2002 it has been offering teachers in the independent sector, who have not undergone a period of formal teacher training, the opportunity to participate in a structured programme of professional development. This course is for Prep schools and Senior Schools.

This course is widely recognised and will qualify trainees to teach in the independent sector, schools in Scotland and many Academies in England.  But if you would prefer to qualify with QTS please look at either our Primary or Secondary PGCE with QTS courses.

How does this differ from the PGCE with QTS?

It does not require a second school placement, there is no skills test or interview, you can have a lower teaching timetable than is needed for QTS and you do not need to have taught across two key stages – which is a requirement of QTS.

What is the point of doing a PGCE if I am already working in a school?

1. A doctor does not simply learn to recognise symptoms and the best-known response to those symptoms.  He/she knows the deeper causes of each illness and the way such illness might impact different people.  In the same way, a teacher should know the deeper theoretical background to different teaching strategies, such as mixed ability teaching or differentiation, something which will enable them to teach with professional confidence.  To achieve this they need to read and evaluate recent research and texts.
2. Although part of a teacher’s ability depends on their subject knowledge and force of personality, there are specific skills (the ‘craft of the classroom’) that need to be grasped if they are to be truly effective.  All teachers, for example, need to know about pupils with special needs.  All need to know about the most effective ways of maintaining good behaviour.  All should know about the best ways of ensuring pupils capture what you are teaching them in their long-term memories.
3. Having taken the trouble to gain this qualification will show your employer and future employers that you are a serious, professional employee.
4. The PGCE at The University of Buckingham is a Level 7 course and is therefore designed to be intellectually stimulating. It leads on to an MA for those who wish to take that more advanced qualification.

Course content

The PGCE is a 37-week school-based course, during which time you will work under the guidance of a mentor and receive weekly tutorials to review progress and set targets. It is available in most subjects and to all age levels. There are three residentials (nine days overall) to attend and these are supplemented by a weekly programme on the University’s online resources. You will be assigned a university tutor who visits once per term to assess your progress and guide your development. You will be assessed by both your mentor and your tutor and there are three assignments to complete.

For teachers undertaking their first year of teaching we highly recommend participation in our Ab Initio course as an addition to the PGCE. This will provide you with some basic knowledge and skills to start teaching.

Your subject specialism

Different school subjects demand different teaching methods and resources, so part of the residential course will be taught by a subject specialist.  Our subject specialists this year include Art, Music, Design Technology, Business Studies & Economics, Biology, Chemistry, Physics, Maths, Computer Science, English, Drama, Classics, Modern Languages, Geography, History, Religious Studies, Psychology, and PE.

Prep school teachers join the Secondary subject-specific sessions on the Wednesdays during residentials.

The dates of the residentials for those teaching PE are slightly different from those teaching other subjects.

Start dates

The normal start date is September. This has the advantage that the whole course can be completed within one academic year. But partly because of Covid-19 we are offering starts in January and April next year.

We are closely monitoring the Covid-19 government advice and guidelines. Should we become unable to start the course on the planned date we will be in touch with the new start date, which will be as close to the original as possible. Please, email the department for more information.

Here are the dates applicable to your Independent PGCE programme and a preferred entry point in the table below; you can see that there are three different groups:

You must be employed as a teacher in an independent school in the UK (or abroad in the case of the International PGCE) and be in sole charge of a full size class for a minimum of 10 hours a week.

You will be expected to have a degree from a UK university or equivalent.

In addition, you must:

• Obtain the commitment from your school to provide a suitable mentor.
• Show the physical and mental fitness to teach.

The employing school must be able to fully support a candidate through the course, enabling them to demonstrate all of the Teachers’ Standards across the full age and ability range of training, and cannot be graded as inadequate.

How to apply

Please use the ‘Apply Now’ button in the silver box (above) or contact The School of Education on +44 (0)1280 820222 or email. To apply you will need to supply:

• copy of degree certificate
• copy of passport photo page (and visa/work permit where necessary)
• head and shoulder style photo for your University identity card

Terms and conditions for prospective students

When you are offered a place at the University you will be notified of the terms and conditions between the University and students on our courses of study. When you accept an offer of a place on the course at the University a legal contract is formed between you and the University on the basis of the terms and conditions outlined in your offer letter. Your offer letter and the terms and conditions contain important information which you should read carefully before accepting any offer. Read the admissions terms and conditions > >

Quality teaching

We offer high quality teaching, which leads to our degrees being recognised around the world. The standards of degrees and awards are safeguarded by distinguished external examiners – senior academic staff from other universities in the UK – who approve and moderate assessed work.

Teaching methods

The course consists of an individualised programme of school-based training, combined with termly three-day residential meetings at Buckingham where trainees will encounter lectures, workshops, seminars and discussion groups led by experts in their field. The course encourages reflective practice, focusing on the subjects being taught, the craft of the classroom and the underpinning educational values of the teacher.

Trainees are also supported by online resources.

Assessment methods

Once each term students will be visited by a subject specialist tutor from Buckingham, who will help to ensure comparability of standards across the participating schools. The Buckingham tutor and the school mentor will jointly assess the student’s competence as a teacher during and at the end of the course.

See the Education Curriculum Handbook for further course details.

Fees 2020/21

Tuition fees cover the cost of all tutoring as well as food and accommodation when at Buckingham.

Fees can be paid in termly installments or in one lump sum. Termly installments can be arranged directly with the Finance department upon receipt of the invoice.

Applicants must also pay a non-refundable £275 registration fee.

Accommodation will be provided for all residentials at Whittlebury Hall or alternatively in nearby hotels, all of which will be arranged by the School of Education staff. The cost of this is included in the course fee.

If you have any questions please contact the School of Education on +44 (0)1280 820222 or email education@buckingham.ac.uk