PGDE 5-11

We support Liverpool John Moores University and offer placements for PGDE students

 

Our PGDE Primary programmes are designed to prepare you for a career as an innovative and creative teacher. You will be trained by highly experienced academic staff and school mentors.

At Foundation level our philosophy centres around a commitment to learning and teaching through play and interaction. This should not be seen as a ‘soft option’, but as a challenging and rigorous approach, which requires high level planning, organisation, intervention and assessment.

Training to teach the 5-11 age range, on the other hand, focuses on lectures and workshops which will enable you to explore pedagogical approaches to teaching and learning across all National Curriculum subjects with a particular focus on the core subjects, including the teaching of Phonics.

PGDE Primary Key Stage 1/2 (5-11 years) with Qualified Teacher Status (QTS)

Our emphasis is on developing teachers who are reflective practitioners able to apply a deep understanding of the curriculum, learners and learning to provide the very best and most appropriate learning opportunities for all children, with a positive impact on their development and achievement
 

Primary with Mathematics Specialism (5-11 years) with QTS PGDE

Choosing a specialism in Mathematics will mean that you spend up to 50% of your programme focusing on the teaching of Mathematics at Primary level through a specific module in the teaching of Mathematics and enhanced opportunities both within and across schools. There will be a focus on developing innovative, practical and engaging ways to manage the teaching of Mathematics in Primary schools. You will be expected to review your own understanding of Mathematics and engage critically with research into children's learning of Mathematics.
 

Primary with Physical Education Specialism (5-11 years) and QTS PGDE

As a P.E. specialist you will spend up to 50% of your time developing your area of specialism through a specific module in the teaching of P.E. at primary level and enhanced opportunities both within and across schools.

Teaching

An insight into teaching on your course

Study hours

University-based study includes: 

  • a full-time block of three weeks at the start of the course
  • one day per week until January
  • week-long, full-time study blocks between January and June
  • a number of conference days

You will undertake a significant amount of independent study and preparation to support your course assignments and school-based work and should be prepared to work some evenings and weekends.

Teaching methods

You will learn via lectures, seminars, interactive workshops, group discussion and reflection, problem solving and micro-teaching. You will also make use of our online learning environment. 

You will be allocated a Teacher Mentor who will organise and supervise your school-based training. Your Mentor will be supported by your LJMU Tutor who will visit your school several times to monitor your progress. Additional professional development sessions are organised in school during placements.  

Tutorial support is an important part of the LJMU learning process and you will receive a personalised service that will enable you to set targets and achieve your potential. Your Personal Tutor will support your academic and professional development and will meet with you formally during the year.

Applied learning

You will spend 120 days spent on school placement.

Placements are organised in our partnership schools in the Greater Merseyside area. For the majority of the training you will gain your teaching experience in a 'Home School' with a six week placement in an 'alternative' school after Christmas. 

School-based training involves the preparation and delivery of learning sequences and lessons to small groups and whole classes of learners, with expectations and workload increasing during the course. This work is supported by a Teacher-Mentor who will enhance your professional learning experience in school.

Assessment

How learning is monitored on your programme

 

To cater for the wide-ranging content of our courses and the varied learning preferences of our students, we offer a range of assessment methods on each programme. Assessment techniques vary from module to module to reflect relevant assessment approaches and the key learning points of each topic.

 

Assessment methods include: critical reflections on research and practice, small scale research projects, the design and analysis of learning experiences, presentations and a portfolio of professional activities.

You will need to monitor your progression towards achieving the professional standards required for Qualified Teacher Status (QTS) and maintain a professional development portfolio.

A final assessment of your achievement of the Teachers’ standards required will be based on observation and assessment of your teaching practice and the evidence base that you develop during training.