PGCE Further Education - Level 7

This is a two-year part-time PGCE FE programme.

Validated by Canterbury Christ Church University, PGCE Further Education is a professional course that will qualify you to teach in the lifelong learning sector. This sector offers you a breadth of potential employment routes including further education colleges, sixth form colleges, adult and community learning, work-based learning and prison education.

The course is endorsed by the Education and Training Foundation, and those obtaining the PGCE FE will be eligible to apply for Qualified Teacher Learning and Skills (QTLS) status. QTLS now has parity with QTS, and is a recognised qualification for teaching in the school sector. The PGCE FE has a long and successful record of high achievement. The course will encourage you to think critically, and you will be supported by a dedicated and professional team throughout the programme. The six modules you will cover are designed to complement and enhance your professional practice. You will undertake a professional placement within your subject area.

Generic teaching skills are also covered, meaning that on completion you could work in a number of settings - from sixth form colleges through to prison education.

The six modules you will cover in your studies are designed to complement your professional practice and the academic study you undertake will inform and be informed by your practice.Modules

Year 1

• Introduction to Teaching and Learning
• Enhancing Teaching and Learning
• Developing English, Maths and ILTModules

Year 2

• Reflection and Research for Teaching and Learning
• Curriculum Design for Inclusive Practice
• Developing Practice

Each of the modules includes a written, and a teaching practice element. 

Modules 1,2 and 3 are assessed at level 6, and Modules 4,5 and 6 are assessed at either level 6 or 7.

To obtain the Post Graduate Certificate in Education you will need to pass at least two modules at level 7. By passing at level 6 you will obtain the Professional Graduate Certificate in Education.

Your first module will provide an introduction to teaching and learning which will equip you with the initial practical skills in planning, delivering and assessing prior to your start on your professional placement.

The next module, Planning Teaching, Learning and Assessment, will examine these concepts in more depth, as well as developing your classroom management skills. In the Wider Professional Development module, you will explore the roles of teachers and the core professional values and conduct required. You will also examine principles of evaluation, quality assurance and quality improvement and be able to apply them to your placement institution. This module will be underpinned by your development as a reflective practitioner and a developing awareness of the need to engage in continuing professional development in line with concepts of dual professionalism.

The Developing Professional Sector Skills module will provide you with an opportunity to develop your literacy, numeracy and ICT skills and ability to support learners in these areas as well as strategies to support learners with specific learning difficulties and disabilities in your own context.

The Curriculum Design for Inclusive Practice module will develop your understanding and knowledge of the relevant curriculum, pedagogy and resources to support your subject specialism as well as explore the various curriculum models and underpinning ideologies that support programmes of study.

In the Enhanced Studies module you will have the opportunity to choose a particular aspect of education and to study that in greater depth.Placement:Following successful interview, you will secure a placement at College of Haringey, Enfield and North East London in your subject specialist area. This will follow an informal interview with the appropriate Head of School in your subject area as well as the Programme Coordinator.

You will also be supported by a subject specialist mentor throughout the duration of the course. You will be expected to commit to a minimum of one full day a week in your placement as well as the compulsory attendance for the taught sessions.You will be required to record a minimum of 100 hours of teaching over your course. This includes a minimum of 75 hours solo teaching and 25 hours of collaborative teaching. You will also be required to successfully complete 8 formal observations over the time of your course.

You will need:

• You should have a good honours degree at 2.2 or above and demonstrate competence regarding communication.
• In your application you will need to indicate sound reasons for wanting to teach in post compulsory education and have a clear awareness of the sector.
• Academic and/or industrial and commercial experience to demonstrate involvement with young people or adults in the community would be advantageous.
• You will need to demonstrate your ability in writing in English academically through a reading/writing task at interview.
• You will also be required to plan and deliver a microteach session in your subject specialism.
• Level 3 qualification and/or experience in your specialist subect.
• GCSEs at grade 4 or above in English Language and Maths or Functional Skills in English and Maths at Level 2, or working towards achievement of these.
• All applicants must have an interview to confirm that the course is suitable for them.

You will submit a range of assignments including reflections, essays and practical tasks and lesson observations to earn 20 credits for each one of the six modules on the programme. You will be observed in your teaching placement on eight occasions at regular intervals during the programme, four times by your CCCU and CONEL personal tutor, and four times by your subject specific mentor in your placement.The aim of these observations is to work with you to develop your practice.

You will also be required to make regular entries in a personalised reflective journal known as the Progress Log, which will chart targets set and achieved against the professional standards.

Tuition Fees £4,395 per year

By qualifying as a teacher with the PGCE FE you could be opening a pathway to a rewarding, varied and exciting career in this vibrant and invaluable sector. You will be working with a huge variety of learners, helping them to succeed in qualifications that will make a real difference to their professional lives.Upon successful completion of the programme you can teach in a variety of further education settings, including sixth form colleges, adult and community learning settings, work-based learning and prison education. You could progress into employment or other HE programmes including Diplomas (Teaching English and Maths), MA Professional Learning and Education and other CPD courses.