PGCE - Secondary - Business Studies and Economics

This page includes specific details for the Secondary PGCE with a subject specialism in Business Studies and Economics. Full details of the course are available on the wider Secondary PGCE course page.

Tutor: Paul Clarke

This PGCE Course is special in training teachers who enjoy economics as well as business and the related ICT contexts to be found in schools and colleges. At Worcester, we value teachers who develop their own teaching style and perspectives on education. The training is active, engaging and involves a range of school teaching contexts from financial awareness, citizenship and enterprise with younger pupils through to A Level, applied vocational courses and International Baccalaureate with older students.

A typical University session includes:

presentations by tutors, some school teachers and (towards the later stages of the course) by fellow trainees
reflective tasks for individuals, pairs and groups
investigative tasks to take into school.

A typical school session involves:

teaching a class, often together with an experienced teacher
time to discuss the issues afterwards
observation of other teachers
time to develop new plans with other trainees.

Over a term, you could be helping a group on a visit to a local business, running an enterprise activity with half a year group, assessing a Portfolio of work of a BTEC pupil, and preparing an A Level group with a particular topic for next month’s important exams. It’s a lot of fun, hard work and responsibility but provides plenty of job satisfaction.

The schools and colleges in the West Midlands offer placements in a range of settings from state to private, from rural to inner city and from 11-16 to post-16 specialist age ranges. Our business and economics teachers enjoy the new ideas and experiences brought by trainees and offer care, support and tailored guidance for you in their schools.

The course has been rated as outstanding by Ofsted and about a third of trainees have been employed by local schools where they join whole cohorts of Worcester graduates in business and economics departments. Overall employment rates have been excellent though the most recent year has proved a more difficult climate for recruitment.

The course attracts a range of students from different backgrounds, and for many, teaching has been a second career move.

I joined the course for something more worthwhile after years of running my own ICT consultancy. I love the challenge of getting students to see the world through different perspectives. I was surprised by their energy and creative ways of thinking, even if the language was not mine.
I have enjoyed working on ideas with other PGs and the combination of practical teaching ideas and personalised ways of working have suited me down to the ground.
Ed ,42, Economics degree and business experience

The help and support this year has been brilliant and I learnt a lot from the subject sessions with a great mix of activities. Thank you for believing in me and giving me a place on the course - I remember others remarking how I hadn't come dressed "fully smart" and how I might not get taken seriously, but I'm glad I was. I still feel as passionate (maybe even more!) about teaching as I did when I made my application, and I'm so glad I was given the opportunity and found a job with your help.
Tabs, 22, Economics/Business degree

No matter what combination of business and/or economics experience you have, contact Paul Clarke to find out your suitability for the course and to seek advice about the best routes into teaching. The obvious national entry rules about a good quality, relevant degree and GCSE core subjects apply to everyone but at Worcester, we value individuals for what they can bring to inspire their students.

To find out more

Ring 01905 855058 or email p.clarke@worc.ac.uk