PGCE in-service (Lifelong Learning)

Year 1

Research Informed Teaching Learning and Assessment
This module aims to develop your understanding of how people learn in the Lifelong Learning Sector and of the role of assessment in enabling learning and achievement. It introduces theories and principles of learning and assessment and develops your ability to apply research evidence in designing effective learning and assessment strategies and materials. It seeks to develop positive approaches to the management of group and individual behaviours and promotes an inclusive approach to teaching, learning and assessment. It introduces the role of key transferable skills and the ways in which people learn English, Maths and digital skills. The module is assessed by means of a practical micro-teaching assignment and the design of an intervention, strategy, activity or resource, underpinned by an understanding of key principles of teaching, learning and assessment.

Becoming a Subject Specialist Teacher
The module reviews your practice as a trainee teacher. It explores your teaching values, knowledge of your subject specialism, and your knowledge and understanding of how you’re learning to teach. You’ll have the opportunity to learn how to identify and respond to students’ needs, and how to use suitable teaching, learning and assessment strategies to develop inclusive teaching and learning environments. You’ll have the chance to evaluate your teaching effectiveness and develop as a reflective practitioner as well as engage in personal and professional development planning, against the appropriate Professional Standards, to recognise and develop relevant subject specialist knowledge, behaviours and skills. This will include further development of English, Maths and digital skills for you and your students.

Year 2

Being a Subject Specialist Teacher
This module builds on previous generic and subject specialist development in two ways. Firstly, it contributes to your development of more advanced strategies and methods for promoting learning and, secondly, it involves a focus on specific specialist areas and the critical analysis subject specialist pedagogy. The module seeks to enhance your ability to reflect critically on, and to evaluate, teaching and learning; by recognising particular curriculum and professional challenges; and by enabling you to develop critical responses to these concerns in sophisticated, innovative and creative ways. Key learning activities of the module are practical teaching experience and the engagement with other specialists through collaborative practice. The module is assessed through a Teaching Portfolio and a Conference Paper dealing with teaching and learning in the specialist subject.

Curriculum and Context 
This module locates the specialist curriculum in the present policy context. This will evaluate how educational policy in the specialist area relates to the values and beliefs that underpin the trainee's professional practice. It critically evaluates the relevance and effectiveness of a curriculum in the specialist area and suggests improvements to its design. 

During your time on the course, you will be required to complete 250 hours on a compulsory placement, which will include 150 hours of teaching.

You’ll gain valuable insight into the role of a sixth-form or further education teacher, supported by a subject mentor within the educational institution. They will help you refine your teaching practice through observations, planning meetings, weekly tutorials, detailed reports, and in-depth lesson evaluations.

Previous trainees have been placed in a range of educational institutions including colleges, work-based learning providers and in offender and community learning settings.

Students have gone on to work as further and higher education lecturers. Others have taken the opportunity to engage in further studies such as relevant MA or MSc courses at university.

Please note that the course does not confer Qualified Teacher Status for those working or intending to work in schools, although currently it is possible for people with QTLS to obtain work in maintained schools as a qualified teacher.

UK degree (normally 2:2 or above) or equivalent related to your specialist area
Relevant work experience in some specialist subject areas
Level 2 Maths and English

In addition you must also:

provide Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check and health clearances
provide two satisfactory references
complete a satisfactory interview

You will normally be offered a place on the Professional Graduate Certificate in Education. Alternatively, you may be considered for a place on the Postgraduate Certificate in Education or the Postgraduate Diploma in Education (Advanced PGCE in Lifelong Learning).