PGCE - Secondary - Design and Technology (Food)

Joy Lavis

After completing my undergraduate degree in Adult Nursing in Cardiff University in 2019, I gained valuable experience working alongside people of different ages. I also had the pleasure of working alongside multi-disciplinary teams in the community, and in secondary care settings like hospitals. Following this, I decided to make the decision to transfer my experience and skills into teaching.

I have enjoyed every single moment of the course at Worcester University, and I will look back with happy and positive memories. The support you receive, and course content are excellent, well organised and structured. The subject tutor goes above and beyond to ensure each subject session is meaningful to all trainees and encourages a collaborative approach. The University also provides a wide range of opportunities such as enhancement activities, to ensure we develop strategies to become outstanding teachers. I am excited to start my teaching career after such a brilliant year on the PGCE!

Bethan Philips

After completing my degree in Food Quality, Safety and Nutrition in Northern Ireland and working in the food industry for 2 years, I knew my next step was to complete my PGCE. I made the decision to move to the University of Worcester to study PGCE Design and Technology (Food).

I have enjoyed completing my PGCE at Worcester and the staff have been so supportive and the sessions run have been so informative, developing my subject knowledge and strategies to use in the classroom. I feel ready and well equipped to start my teaching career back in Northern Ireland where I have secured a job.

Callum Staite

I have wanted to be a food teacher since studying A-level food and completing my food degree; due to circumstances, it was not the right time when I initially graduated in 2014. Since then, I spent the last 6 years working within the energy sector. It was a massive step leaving a job that I knew well, but fast forward 12 months and it really has been the best decision I have made, and I am so glad I did!

I am so pleased that I chose the University of Worcester as my training provider; all the worries quickly disappeared once I was welcomed by the PGCE team, and I instantly felt at ease with the course and what was expected. The subject sessions are meticulously planned by the subject mentor to build on the knowledge we already had, and then apply this within a school setting. The sessions are made to be enjoyable and fun, but also meaningful. This, alongside the professional studies programme, allows you build a toolbox of knowledge ready for you to apply it in the classroom during your placements.

Thanks to the support of the University, I have secured a job as an Early Career Teacher in my second placement school, and I cannot wait for September!

Tess Murtagh

After completing a M.Sc. in Nutrition and working in the hospitality industry for a number of years, I decided that I wanted to pursue a career in teaching. I chose to move from the Republic of Ireland as I could qualify with a universally recognised qualification in one year, and after speaking to previous Irish trainees, they had spoken very highly of Worcester and the PGCE programme.

The training and support I have received by the University and placement schools was so helpful. The specialist subject sessions allowed me to develop my subject knowledge and gave me confidence in the classroom. I gained experience in teaching other subjects such as science, textiles and hospitality and catering. Having secured a job at my placement school, I am delighted that I chose Worcester as my training provider as I feel ready to begin my teaching career.

Rachel

I completed my Undergraduate Degree in Culinary Arts Management at Ulster University, Belfast. Despite working in the food industry, running my own business making wedding and celebration cakes, I knew I was always destined to be a teacher, so I decided to hang up my apron and move to Worcester for the year to complete my PGCE in Design and Technology Food.

Moving to Worcester was probably the hardest decision I ever had to make. I am such a homebird and moving away from family and loved ones was not easy. But I can honestly say that from day one, I was made to feel so welcome and supported by my subject mentor and everyone in my class. We made our own little family and that really helped!

The lecturers are experienced, helpful and supportive; everything you need in a busy PGCE. The subject and professional studies sessions provided interesting and knowledgeable insights into the various aspects of teaching while the subject sessions really helped to improve and consolidate subject knowledge. I would definitely recommend the University of Worcester to help you start your teaching journey.

Lucy Perry

Upon completing my undergraduate degree in Culinary Arts Management at Ulster University in Belfast, I made the decision to move to Worcester to complete my PGCE in Design and Technology Food. I gained industry experience in restaurants as a chef and have a passion for the food industry. From my love of food and culinary experience, I wanted to become a teacher to inspire the next generation of chefs and ‘keen foodies’. Although it was a big decision to move to Worcester from Northern Ireland, it was a worthwhile one.

The lecturers and teachers in school are experienced, helpful and supportive, which helped make the transition a smooth experience for me. The subject and professional studies sessions provided interesting and knowledgeable insights into the various aspects of teaching. The excellent training I received whilst on the course has led me to secure a job within Worcestershire, where I completed my second placement.

I would definitely recommend the University of Worcester to help you start your teaching journey. It has been a fantastic year and I have made some great friends for life!

Oliver Brueton

From a young age, my love for food was evident and it led me to pursue a career as a chef. After ten years in the hospitality industry, my passion for food remained steadfast. Following an enriching teaching experience in Thailand, I realised that becoming a food teacher was a natural progression for me. Motivated by this realisation, I made the decision to enrol in the PGCE programme at the University of Worcester.

The journey has been nothing short of exceptional, with abundant support from the University throughout. Time flew by as I delved into the programme, immersing myself in the art of teaching. The experience has been transformative, fostering a tremendous growth of confidence within me, particularly within the classroom setting.

With the knowledge and skills gained from the PGCE programme, I am ready to embrace the future as a food teacher. The prospect of making a lasting impact on the lives of my students and instilling in them a passion for culinary arts brings me great joy and fulfilment. I am excited to embark on this new chapter of my life and contribute to the growth and development of future generations.