PGCE Primary 3-7 (with QTS)

Program Overview

The PGCE Primary 3-7 (with QTS) program at Oxford Brookes University equips students to become primary teachers with an early years specialism. Graduates of the 42-week program gain Qualified Teacher Status (QTS) and are prepared to make a positive impact on their students through research-based and practical teaching approaches. The curriculum focuses on equity, evidence-informed practice, and effective classroom management. Students engage in three school-based placements to gain hands-on experience and build relationships with potential employers.

Program Outline

Degree Overview:

The PGCE Primary 3-7 (with QTS) at Oxford Brookes University is designed to enable individuals to become primary teachers with an early years specialism. The program focuses on developing the knowledge, skills, and understanding necessary to teach excellent lessons that have a positive impact on all pupils. This program emphasizes a strong theoretical framework grounded in research and classroom practice. Graduates from this program are known for being well-prepared to meet the high standards expected of them in schools.

Outline:

The PGCE Primary 3-7 (with QTS) is a full-time program that spans up to 42 weeks. It is delivered at the Harcourt Hill campus, within the School of Education, Humanities and Languages. The program's structure includes both campus-based and placement learning. The curriculum is underpinned by the Initial Teacher Training and Early Career Framework (ITTECF). Students will complete three placements across Key Stages 1 and 2, focusing on early reading and inclusive practice.

Taught Modules:

• Equity in Education (20 credits): This module delves into the causes and impact of inequity in education.
• Evidence Informed Practice (20 credits): This module explores the relationship between evidence and classroom practice, focusing on a national curriculum subject.
Students will learn to identify the relevant knowledge that informs current teaching policy and its practical application.
• Professional Practice: This module focuses on developing the skills, understanding, and knowledge required to become an effective classroom teacher.
Key areas covered include creating a positive learning environment, planning rigorous lessons, understanding learning processes, conducting assessments, and maintaining professional conduct.
• English 3-7: This module provides the necessary skills, understanding, and knowledge to design and implement effective English lessons in the primary classroom.
It covers topics like engaging pupils in classroom discourse, systematic synthetic phonics, developing language and vocabulary, exposing pupils to diverse literature, teaching writing skills, and integrating English across the curriculum.
• Mathematics 3-7: This module aims to enhance knowledge, skills, and confidence in mathematics for teaching EYFS and KS1.
It covers areas like number, algebra, geometry, measures, and data handling. Students will explore applying mathematics across the curriculum, understanding children's learning processes, addressing misconceptions, and developing engaging approaches to teaching mathematics.
• Science 3-7: This module focuses on developing subject knowledge, understanding, skills, and confidence in science for teaching primary years.
Students will acquire the knowledge and skills needed to engage and support pupils in science. Through practical workshops and project-based learning, students will build confidence and enjoyment in arts and humanities, exploring topics like national and local initiatives, learning outside the classroom, using educational officers' expertise, embedding active citizenship, cultural diversity, cultural heritage, ICT integration, and cross-curricular approaches.
• PE and Computing 3-7: This module focuses on developing the knowledge and understanding required to help children progress in physical development and computing.
It covers topics like assessing children's physical development, linking physical development with skills acquisition, computing in the EYFS and KS 1 curriculum, and the role of technology in learning.

School Based Curriculum:

• School Based Curriculum 1: This is the first of three school-based placements, conducted in Nursery, Reception, and Key Stage One classrooms within the University's partner schools.
It focuses on developing teacher presence, a positive learning environment, planning using the "I, we, you" model, explicit modeling, and professional conduct.
• School Based Curriculum 2: This placement focuses on developing questioning skills, lesson design including explicit modeling and scaffolding, adaptive teaching for support and challenge, planning strong retrieval practice, anticipating misconceptions, and collaborating with other adults.
• School Based Curriculum 3: This final placement focuses on developing retrieval practice, questioning for purpose, planning and teaching learning sequences, planning intelligent practice, responsive and adaptive teaching, assessment to inform teaching, verbal and written feedback, and preparing for the Early Career Teacher (ECT) years.

Assessment:

All academic modules are assessed primarily through written assignments. School-based training follows the School Based Curriculum and addresses the Core Content Framework. Assessment is based on coursework, assignments, and achieving the required standards for the award of Qualified Teacher Status (QTS).

Teaching:

The program utilizes various teaching methods, including lectures, directed reading, workshops, seminars, and practical and project work with professional tutor support. Teaching staff are primarily drawn from the School of Education, Humanities and Languages, with additional input from visiting speakers from partnership schools, teaching unions, newly qualified teachers (NQTs), and other experts in the field of education.

Careers:

Graduates from the PGCE Primary 3-7 (with QTS) are prepared for careers as primary teachers in a variety of school settings. The program's focus on research, practical experience, and inclusive teaching practices equips graduates to make a positive impact on the lives of their students. The program also emphasizes building relationships with head teachers through placements, increasing the likelihood of securing employment within those schools. This course is accredited by the Teaching Regulation Agency to grant Qualified Teacher Status (QTS) in the UK.

Other:

The program is designed around the core components required to gain Qualified Teacher Status (QTS). Oxford Brookes University has a strong reputation for producing well-prepared teachers, with a network of partner schools providing valuable placement experiences.

Tuition Fees: 2023 / 24 Home (UK) full time £9,250 International full time £15,800 2024 / 25 Home (UK) full time £9,250 International full time £16,600 Fees quoted are for the first year only. If you are studying a course that lasts longer than one year, your fees will increase each year. The following factors will be taken into account by the University when it is setting the annual fees: inflationary measures such as the retail price indices, projected increases in University costs, changes in the level of funding received from Government sources, admissions statistics and access considerations including the availability of student support. How and when to pay Tuition fee instalments for the semester are due by the Monday of week 1 of each semester. If the leaving date is after week 4, full fees for the semester are payable. Additional costs Please be aware that some courses will involve some additional costs that are not covered by your fees. Specific additional costs for this course are detailed below. Compulsory costs Additional costs Additional costs Amount (£) Disclosure Barring Service (DBS) initial check £54 Optional costs Additional costs Additional costs Amount (£) Travel and associated costs if relevant when undertaking work placements. £30-700 per year 3-day Outdoor Education Residential in South Wales (inc. food, accommodation, travel, equipment and tuition) £180 Disclosure Barring Service (DBS) top-up check (to keep up to date) £13 It’s your responsibility to cover print / binding costs where coursework submission is required. Please note that a lot of the coursework is now submitted online. From £30 You may choose to purchase books to support your studies. £20-60 per book Accommodation fees in Brookes Letting (most do not include bills) £94-265 per week Accommodation fees in university halls (bills included, excluding laundry costs) £122-180 per week Graduation costs include tickets, gowning and photography. Gowns are not compulsory but typically students do hire robes, starting at £41. Typically £0-200 Students are responsible for their own travel to and from university for classes. BrookesBus travel is subsidised for full-time undergraduate students that are on a course with a fee of £9,250 or more, or living in an Oxford Brookes hall of residence. There is an administration fee for the production of a BrookesKey. From £10