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What makes PGCE Primary with SENDI at the University of Worcester special?

This course is the start of a journey like no other and will give you insight and training in becoming a specialist teacher.  

At Worcester, our PGCE in Primary Education with SENDI is led by experienced academic staff with extensive research profiles, meaning your learning is shaped by those helping to shape education itself. Our programmes are ambitious in their design and we work with a strong school partnership to ensure our trainees access expertise. We pride ourselves on the support that we offer and aim to give personalised support to give every trainee the opportunity to become the best teacher they can be.

Worcester has a large and vibrant primary teacher education department. We offer an early career teacher support package for our students

The PGCE explores pedagogy, practice and wider issues of education and society, enhancing your prospects as a SENDI practitioner and potentially a future leader in the profession.

With 60 credits at Masters level a PGCE can take you anywhere, from Masters study to a job on the other side of the world.

Subject to approval

Overview

Overview

Key features

  • Dynamic, exciting and vibrant course designed to support all students
  • Professional, research-active, supportive tutors
  • A wide breadth of partnership schools, geographically and demographically
  • Excellent employability
  • Combination of research, theory and criticality within sessions
  • Personalised support
  • Online and face-to-face delivery
  • Face-to-face sessions with some enhanced online learning opportunities
a group of students are sitting and chatting

It’s not too late to apply for a PGCE

You can still apply for a PGCE. Don't be tempted to rush an application together as fast as you can, you still want to make sure that your application is as good as possible.

Primary school teacher reading 'Where the wild things are' to group of children

Thinking of Teaching? PGCE Primary: Virtual Taster Event

Our virtual taster event is a great opportunity to find out more about studying our PGCE Primary courses at Worcester. Find out everything you need to know about the courses and ask us any questions you have.

The next PGCE Primary virtual taster event is:

Friday 9th June, 4:30-5:30pm

 

Book your place
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Ofsted has rated us as "Outstanding" in training Primary and Secondary Teachers 2023.

The University of Worcester’s education of future primary and secondary teachers has been given the highest possible grade with inspectors stating that, along with its partners, the University creates “a learning community that places children at the heart of everyone’s endeavours”.

Find out more
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Book your place at an Open Day

Want to know why so many students love living and studying in Worcester?

Our Open Days are the perfect way to find out.

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Entry requirements

What qualifications will you need?

Entry requirements

Academic requirements

Honours degree normally (2:2) or higher from a United Kingdom higher education institution or equivalent qualification in a relevant area such as Education Studies, SENDI, Children and Families, Sociology, Psychology etc . Applicants with a 3rd class degree will be considered on an individual basis. Applicants with other degree subjects will be considered based on relevant experience within the SENDI field.

All entrants have achieved a standard equivalent to a grade 4 (formerly grade C) in the GCSE examinations in English Language, mathematics and science. (for 2023 entry, applicants must have these qualifications by the start of the course). Alternatively, we offer an equivalency test if you don’t have the required GCSE grade to apply for our courses. Trainees who begin courses before providing evidence of the required GCSE standard (or equivalent) will not be eligible for financial incentives, such as bursaries or grants until they achieve the required standard.

Qualifications not listed? Contact the Admissions Office for advice by email: AdmissionsB@worc.ac.uk

Additional requirements

  • An Enhanced DBS check. You will be sent details of how to apply for your DBS in the summer term. You will need to pay for this. You may already be part of the DBS update service. Find out about the update service here. As part of the DBS process, you will be checked against the Children’s Barred List.
  • A check against the Prohibition List.
  • If you have lived, studied or worked overseas for three months or more in the last five years a Certificate of Good Conduct from the country of residence will be required. Further information and guidance associated with additional costs are available from the Home Office.
  • An online occupational health check. All those on a teacher training programme must be certified as meeting national requirements for physical and mental fitness to teach, as set by the Department for Education.
  • International students: IELTS 6.5 or equivalent

Other information

  • School experience is desirable, but not essential.

  • Interviews will be conducted in person. Applicants will be contacted directly with more details.

All applications for PGCE should be made via the Government's Find Postgraduate Teacher Training website.

Additional useful information is available on the Government's Get Into Teaching website.

To help you prepare for your interview, you can expect questions covering the following:

  • the role of being a teacher - both the positives and the challenges
  • your ability to identify the skills and qualities a teacher requires
  • your understanding of current issues in education and the wider role of a teacher
  • your knowledge of professionalism and how teachers demonstrate this
  • how schools and teachers keep children safe

In addition, we are looking for enthusiasm, commitment and potential. Clear communication skills are integral to this which you will have an opportunity to demonstrate throughout the interview.

Course content

What will you study

School experience is a substantial and integral part of the course and you will have school experience visit days and block placements in terms 1, 2 and 3.

In total, of the 38 weeks of the course, 24 will be spent in schools.

Indicative themes explored through the course content are outlined below, although regular updates mean that exact content may differ.

Please find the links to our Primary PGCE Curriculum Vision and PGCE Course Overview

The Developing Teacher (30 credits at Masters level)

Indicative overview of content

This module looks at your development as a teacher. It will focus on creating your teacher identity through critically reflective models, experiences and analysis of relevant theories and research. There are three distinct strands. These are:

  • Developing professional behaviours including reflective practice and professionalism;
  • Developing behaviour management including the learning environment and behaviour for learning;
  • Developing inclusive practice.

This is the first assessed module and will help develop your philosophy of teaching.

The Learning Child (30 credits at Masters Level)

Indicative overview of content

This module looks at understanding how to support children to learn. It will focus on understanding how children develop and learn, subject specific pedagogies, adapting teaching to meet different needs of learners and the role of assessment. You will cover all of the core and foundation subjects from the National Curriculum in this module. There are three distinct strands. These are:

  • Child Development and Learning Theories;
  • Pedagogy and Curriculum (including all core and foundation subjects);
  • Professional Development.

This is the second assessed module and will help you research effective methods of teaching and learning to support all children.

Life in School: School Experience (Qualified Teacher Status)

Indicative overview of content

This module is your School Experience (SE) module and will involve school placements in both Specialist SENDI and mainstream settings. There will be intensive training and practice in addition to your placements.

In order to pass this module, you need to demonstrate that you have met all of the Teachers’ Standards including Part 2. It will also provide you with experiences to aid your reflections and mentoring to support your progress. There are 3 professional development days within the module, designed to support your progress with meeting the Standards. This is the final module which will be assessed at the end of your placements.

Teaching and assessment

How will you be taught?

The University places emphasis on enabling you to develop the independent learning capabilities that will equip you for lifelong learning and future employment, as well as academic achievement. A mixture of independent study, teaching and academic support through the personal academic tutoring system enables you to reflect on progress and build up a profile of skills, achievements and experiences that will enable you to flourish and be successful. 

Teaching

You are taught through a combination of:

  • School experience in a range of settings
  • Studying all areas of learning and teaching across all EYFS and Primary National Curriculum subjects
  • Tutor-led workshops, lectures, seminars, fieldwork and guest lectures , primarily to introduce underpinning knowledge, theoretical argument, practical skills, central issues, key texts and inter-professional fields of study
  • Study of key texts and supplementary reading to enable you to identify subject matter that will enhance their understanding and intellectual ability
  • Participation in high level professional discussion, peer presentations and debate, to encourage you to actively engage with and critically challenge the field
  • Directed studies and problem solving tasks provide opportunities to develop approaches that will deepen levels of understanding and professional judgement; development of practice-based competence and skills of critical reflection through guided individual mentoring during placements
  • One-to-one academic and personal tutorial support including access to our first class Firstpoint services

In addition, there are regular opportunities throughout the year to meet with your personal tutor, where you will have the opportunity to talk about your academic progress, school experience, support with careers and applications.

Contact time

This is full time course and when not on placement, you will be expected to be in University every day, each week, with the exception of some purposeful online enhancement opportunities. There are 4 days that are planned to be delivered online to support you on your placements and to benefit from national expertise within certain fields. On placement, you will be expected to attend school during term time and on training days, as agreed by the school, to ensure you are compliant with the requirements of the QTS qualification.

In a typical week you will have around 28 contact hours of teaching. The precise contact hours will depend on the optional modules selected. Typically contact time will be structured around:

  • 12 hours of interactive workshops
  • 14 hours of seminars in groups of around 20 students
  • 2 hours of lectures

Independent self-study

In addition to the contact time, you are expected to undertake around 9 hours of personal study time per week. Typically, this will involve researching areas of teaching and learning related to areas of the National Curriculum, SENDI, EAL and other key areas of interest relating to the primary setting as well as working on individual and group projects and preparing assignments. Independent learning is supported by a range of excellent learning facilities, including the Hive and library resources, the virtual learning environment, and extensive electronic learning resources.

  • 28 hours of contact time
  • 9 hours of independent self study
  • 37 hours in total each week

Duration

1 year full time

Timetables

Timetables are normally available one month before registration. Please note that whilst we try to be as student-friendly as possible, scheduled teaching can take place on any day of the week; and some classes can be scheduled in the evenings.

Teaching staff

You will be taught by a teaching team whose expertise and knowledge are closely matched to the content of the modules on the course. Teaching is informed by the research and consultancy, and the majority of lecturers who teach on the course have a Higher Education teaching qualification and all hold Qualified Teacher Status.  The majority of lecturers have their Masters qualification or higher and some are Fellows of the Higher Education Academy. You can learn more about the staff by visiting our staff profiles.

Assessment

The course provides opportunities to test understanding and learning informally through the completion of subject audits, formative assessments, tasks completed during lectures and enhancement activities.

  • You will have one Level 7 assignment for the Developing Teacher module reflecting on your development as a teacher with relation to your professional behaviours, behaviour management and inclusive practice.
  • You will have one Level 7 assignment for the Learning Child module reflecting on the curriculum and pedagogical design of a sequence of learning you have taught.
  • You will be involved in assessing your teaching skills and competence as they develop through the use of a Reflective Portfolio to which you, teachers and tutors contribute. You will engage in a range of assessments during school experience, all of which combine as components towards your final award.

Feedback is intended to support learning and you are encouraged to discuss it with personal academic tutors and module tutors as appropriate.

We aim to provide you with feedback on formal course work assessments within 20 working days of hand-in.

Throughout your course, you will be supported to prepare for your first year of teaching through the Career Entry Profile, as part of your Continuing Professional Development.

Meet the team

You will be taught by a teaching team whose expertise and knowledge are closely matched to the content of the modules on the course.

You can learn more about the staff by visiting our staff profiles.

Catherine Clutterbuck

Catherine Clutterbuck

Catherine is the Primary PGCE Course Leader. She lectures in inclusive practice, Primary Computing and is the module leader for the school experience modules across the programmes. She also works as a school experience tutor and personal academic tutor as part of Primary ITTE.

Catherine’s background is in the development of teachers. She was the Head of Pupil and Staff Welfare and Development and mentor for trainee teachers and NQTs. She is passionate about the holistic development of teachers and the impact educationalists have on pupils. 

When in school, Catherine primarily taught across Key Stages 2 and 3 and she was also Head of Computing. She was Head of Years 3 & 4 and has particular experience teaching through these years groups as well as dealing with pastoral concerns. In addition to this, Catherine was a Housemistress and Head of Boarding. 

Julie Sutton

Julie is the Primary Lead for School Based Provision and the PGCE Primary School Direct Strategic Lead. She works in close partnership with schools across the West Midlands and in the South West, supporting course development.

Julie lectures in music education across the postgraduate and undergraduate programmes and teaches pedagogy and professional practice within the PGCE ‘Developing Teacher’ module. She is a School Experience tutor and moderator for the PGCE Primary School Direct programme.

Prior to joining the University, Julie taught in Primary schools across Worcestershire and has experience of Early Years, Key Stage 1 and Key Stage 2. Alongside leading music, she was a Senior teacher and Deputy Head teacher. Throughout her career, Julie has always followed her passion for developing high-quality music education for all, working as a Vocal Force facilitator for schools across the county and delivering music CPD to class teachers. She is currently the Chair of the Worcestershire Music Hub Steering committee.

Julie is a Senior Fellow of the HEA.

Rhys Pritchard

Dr Rhys Pritchard

Rhys works in the School of Education and is the Subject lead for Primary Physical Education. He joined the University of Worcester in June 2018 from Cardiff Metropolitan University where he worked as a lecturer of Physical Education and Sport Pedagogy. Previously, he taught in a variety of schools in Worcestershire and abroad in Dubai and Australia, experiencing both Primary and Secondary PE, but also in the classroom.

Rhys is a First Team Coach at Stourbridge Rugby Club who play in National 2 North and is currently undertaking his Welsh Rugby Union High Performing Coach qualification, the highest coaching qualification in the sport.

Lorna Williams

Lorna Williams

Lorna is the PGCE Early Years (3-7) cohort lead and the Early Years subject lead, supporting the development of Early Years in Primary initial teacher education at the University of Worcester.

Lorna teaches Primary Design and Technology across undergraduate and postgraduate pathways. Lorna also teaches on the PGCE ‘Developing Teacher’ module, as well as the Undergraduate ‘Teachers as Researcher independent study’ module specialising in Early Years and the ‘Foundation subjects: Diversity and Inclusion’ module.

Lorna has worked in primary schools in Solihull and Worcestershire coordinating the Creative Arts including Design and Technology. She is passionate about developing a creative curriculum that inspires and supports all learners to achieve. Lorna has 17 years’ experience as an Early Years Foundation Stage teacher, alongside her role as Early Years coordinator and Phase Leader in a Pre-school and Reception setting. During her time as a practitioner, Lorna supported and mentored students from University of Worcester on ITE Graduate and Undergraduate pathways and Early Childhood Degrees. Her role within the School of Education, as a school experience tutor, enables Lorna to support trainees to develop as professionals throughout their placements and into their early career.

Sharon Lannie

Sharon Lannie

Sharon is module leader for PGCE English at the University of Worcester and teaches on all the post-graduate, undergraduate and School Direct English modules. She also supports the development of English in primary schools across the Midlands through leading English CPD, including a termly network meeting for primary and middle school English Subject Leaders in the area. Sharon is also the PGCE Later Years Cohort Leader.

Genea Alexander

Genea Alexander

Genea Alexander has worked in education for many years. Currently, Genea teaches on the Primary Initial Teacher Education (with QTS) BA (Hons) and PGCE - Primary (QTS) courses within the Department for Primary Education. Genea’s roles include ‘The Learning Child: Pedagogy and Practice - Teaching and Learning for All’ Module Leader on the PGCE - Primary (QTS) course and Primary Languages Subject Lead.

Genea is a Fellow of the Higher Education Academy, a committee member of the National Primary Teacher Education Council (NaPTEC) and co-author of several publications. 

andy-taylor-profile-image

Andrew Taylor

Andy is a senior lecturer in primary education, teaching on both the PGCE and BA Primary Initial Teacher Education courses and he is currently the Operational Lead for the PGCE School Direct programme. Mainly teaching on Professional Practice modules he also leads the Developing Teacher module on the PGCE course which supports trainees in developing their knowledge and understanding of the skills needed to develop into an effective teacher. Alongside this Andy teaches PE to both Undergraduate and Postgraduate students as part of their teacher training. He also leads the behaviour management provision in the primary department and has enjoyed developing the provision for this since taking on the role.

Previous to starting at the University of Worcester Andrew had taught in schools in Gloucestershire for the past 16 years as a class teacher, assistant head and Deputy head teacher. Over his time in schools Andrew has honed his coaching and mentoring skills to support NQTs, ECTs and trainee teachers in building their strengths to be the best teachers they can be.

He joined the university in 2018 to pursue his passion for supporting trainee teachers, ECTs and NQTs and works as part of the staff team developing the support and provision for the Early Career Teacher Community.

kate-morley-profile-image

Kate Morley

Kate is a senior lecturer, teaching across the postgraduate and undergraduate modules for English at the University of Worcester. She jointly leads English and safeguarding within the Primary Department. Kate also works as a School Experience and Dissertation tutor as part of Primary ITT and is a Personal Academic Tutor for postgraduates.

Kaytie Holdstock

Kaytie Holdstock

Kaytie Holdstock has 18 years experience working as a primary school teacher and has a passion for promoting creativity in the classroom. Throughout her career, she has worked with children across the primary age range and held many in-school roles including Deputy Head teacher. Kaytie was awarded Advanced Skills Teacher status which gave her the opportunity to support other schools in developing engaging, creative and inspiring content for their own pupils. She later became a Teacher advisor for Worcestershire Local Authority specialising in The Arts.

Kaytie is the author of the platform “The Technicolour Teacher,” a website and social media presence that seeks to share creative a fun classroom ideas to support Primary School Teachers.

Kate Howen

Kate is the PGCE cohort leader for the Part Time pathway, teaching across the modules and supporting trainees during their school experience.

Learning to love our fellow human beings and understanding different perspectives is a vital component to any teacher, in any context, and underpins Kate’s whole teaching philosophy.

Kate joined the university in 2017 and teaches on the Undergraduate and Postgraduate teaching courses. She has a focus on Inclusion, Diversity and Global Citizenship and specialisms in teaching Music, History and English.

Careers

Where could it take you?

Upon successful completion of the PGCE course, you take with you a Career Entry Profile to start the process of your continuing professional development as a teacher in mainstream as well as in SENDI and alternative provision settings.

Graduates from the Primary Department at the University of Worcester are extremely employable; employability for the class of 2018/19 was 94%

Costs

How much will it cost?

Full-time tuition fees

UK students

The standard tuition fee for full-time UK students enrolling on a PGCE in the academic year 2023/24 will be £9,250 per year.

For more details, please visit our course fees page.

International students

The standard tuition fee for full-time international students enrolling on a PGCE in the academic year 2023/24 will be £15,800 per year.

For more details, please visit our course fees page.

Teacher training funding

You may be able to get help with the costs of teacher training. A student finance package will include a Tuition Fee Loan and a Maintenance Loan. You may also be eligible for extra help if you have children or are disabled.

Additional costs

Every course has day-to-day costs for essential books, stationery, printing and photocopying.

Travel costs for placements vary depending on the location of schools and your mode of transport, sometimes these may be reclaimed depending on your individual circumstances.

The DfE requires all trainee teachers to obtain an Enhanced Disclosure & Barring Service (DBS) check, which you will need to pay for.

If you have lived overseas for three months or more in the last five years a Certificate of Good Conduct from the country of residence will be required. More information and guidance on costs are available from the Home Office. You will also be subject to the usual prohibition list and criminal record checks.

Accommodation

Finding the right accommodation is paramount to your university experience. Our halls of residence are home to friendly student communities, making them great places to live and study.

We have over 1,000 rooms across our range of student halls. With rooms to suit every budget and need, from our 'Traditional Hall' at £122 per week to 'En-suite Premium' at £207 per week (2023/24 prices).

For full details visit our accommodation page.

How to apply

How do you apply?

Apply now

Applications for PGCE courses, both Primary and Secondary, should be made online through the government's Find Postgraduate Teacher Training website.

Visit the Get Into Teaching website for detailed information on how to apply for a PGCE.

Read our How to apply pages for more information on applying and to find out what happens to your application.

Online application

Make an application

Get in touch

If you have any questions, please get in touch. We're here to help you every step of the way.

Admissions Office B

Catherine Clutterbuck

PGCE Course Leader