Centre for Secondary and Post Compulsory Education

The Centre for Secondary and Post-Compulsory Education is responsible for courses and research in the secondary and post-16  age ranges.

 

Courses

We specialise in providing an Initial Teacher Education but also offer a range of support to the Masters programme and CPD in schools. The provision is designed to be flexible, both in terms of patterns of attendance and content and caters for a wide range of students.

PGCE courses

Full time PGCE courses in Business Studies & Economics, Design & Technology (Food & Textiles), English, History, Mathematics, Modern Foreign Languages, Physical Education, Psychology and Science (Biology, Chemistry & Physics) are all offered.

We also offer a flexible PGCE in Business Studies & Economics; Design & Technology (Food & Textiles); English; Mathematics; Modern Foreign Languages; and Science (Biology, Chemistry & Physics). These can be taken on a mostly part-time basis and are able to fit in with the needs of the applicant.

The Special Educational Needs Pathway and the Citizenship Pathway

It is possible for a small number of student teachers to opt for either a more detailed look at working with pupils with special educational needs in their subject or for a more detailed look at working within the school's Citizenship programme. This involves a few extra taught sessions in university time and a different emphasis to the work in the second placement.

Masters Level Work

Students will be able to apply to register for the PGCE (M). 

In order to be accepted, Masters students should have demonstrated they:

• Can analyse their own practice using appropriate research methods
• Can critically reflect on their own practice, both orally and in writing
• Can synthesize ideas drawn from literature, teaching and their own practice
• Can present their work to a professional standard
• Have organised and managed their work time effectively
• Have successfully completed their first school experience

Final awards

These will be as follows:

• Successful completion of Modules 1-4 (including assignments) at level 6 = Professional Certificate in Education (PGCE)
• Successful completion of Modules 1-4 (including assignments) at levels 6 & where possible 7 = Post Graduate Certificate in Education (PGCE{M})

Graduate Teacher Programme and CPD

We run a secondary Graduate Teacher Programme (GTP) in a wide range of secondary subjects, and we offer CPD courses to schools in a range of areas: e.g. pastoral, behaviour management, mentoring and subject studies. This includes our special mentoring and NQT modules which lead to M-level accreditation.

A ‘Return to Teaching’ course is provided for qualified teachers who have been out of teaching for some years and who wish to get updated before coming back into the profession.

Quality Assured

The PGCE & GTP has been regularly inspected by Ofsted and all provision is rated good or very good. The judgement of the recent PGCE Ofsted report for 2006/7 was:

“Management and quality assurance: Grade 1

Key strengths: 

• the innovative approach to course development
• the coherence between different elements of the course
• the partnership with schools
• the strategic management of strengths within the university and across the  partnership
• the communication between trainees, subject tutors and subject mentors
• the frequency and quality of monitoring the progress of trainees.”

Partnerships

We have strong links to local schools and colleges in Worcestershire, Herefordshire, West Warwickshire, North and East Gloucestershire, South Shropshire, Dudley, Sandwell and Birmingham.

Secondary PGCE at the University of Worcester is part of the Midland Consortium for Teach First.

Contact Us

Call us on 01905 855070 to find out more or e-mail: c.hinitt@worc.ac.uk

Courses in Post-compulsory Education

We also specialise in providing Initial Teacher Education by working in Partnership with Local FE Colleges. The Centre has developed strong partnerships across the region and delivers a range of post compulsory teacher training programmes, including the SVUK endorsed programmes, PTLLS, CTLLS and DTLLS. These are required in order to achieve QTLS or ATLS.

In addition, two specialist teaching diplomas for Adult Literacy and ESOL (NQF Level 5) are taught at the University. 

For more information about Lifelong Learning Qualifications for teachers click here.

Click here to find out more about the Level 5 Diplomas in Teaching and Learning ESOL and English.

Quality Assured

External quality measures indicate the SVUK-endorsed post compulsory programmes are effective and operate at nationally expected levels..

The FE partnership activities within the Centre are monitored via regular Partnership Advisory Group meetings and link tutor visits and verification. 

The Centre also works with partners across the West Midlands to support Skills for Life developments, and, with WMCETT for regional benchmarks of good practice.

Call us on 01905 855036 to find out more or e-mail: s.acton@worc.ac.uk