Course outline

The Prep Postgraduate Certificate in Education with QTS is a formal teacher training course tailored to teachers in independent preparatory schools (to age 13) in England.

Trainees will be expected to undertake a teaching placement in a second school which must be a non-selective state maintained school. The duration of this teaching placement is determined upon interview and is usually for three weeks.

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 an 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 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’) which 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 with QTS will enable you to apply for jobs at the many schools that require teachers to have qualified teacher status.
5. The PGCE at The University of Buckingham is a Level 7 course and is therefore designed to be intellectually stimulating.

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 your progress and to set targets. There are three residentials (nine days overall) to attend and these are supplemented by a weekly programme on the University’s Virtual Learning Environment (VLE). You will be assigned a University tutor who will visit once per term to assess your progress and guide your development. You will be assessed against the Standards 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 your participation in our Ab Initio course in late August as an addition to the PGCE. This will provide you with some basic knowledge and skills to start teaching.

Full details in the Curriculum Handbook

You must be employed as a teacher in a preparatory independent school and be teaching the 3 core subjects at keystage 2 and a chosen subject at keystage 3 for a minimum of 50% of a full timetable.

You will be expected to have the following qualifications:

• A degree from a UK University or equivalent.
• GCSE in English Language, Maths and Science at grade C/4 or above or equivalent.

In addition you must:

• Pass Skills Tests prior to interview.
• Provide a reference from your headteacher supporting your application to undertake a PGCE.
• Obtain the commitment from your school to release you for the second school placement and to provide a suitable mentor.
• Provide a satisfactory criminal records check and 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 or contact The School of Education on +44 (0)1280 820222 or email education@buckingham.ac.uk. To apply you will need to supply:

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

The closing date for applications is 5 July 2019.

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 > >

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

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 and is arranged by the School of Education staff. The cost of this is included within 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