Postgraduate Certificate in Education (Further Education & Skills)

Program Overview

This Postgraduate Certificate in Education (PGCE) from the University of Greenwich equips graduates to teach students aged 14 and above in the Further Education (FE) & Skills sector. The program emphasizes practical teaching skills development, pedagogy, and evidence-based research over two part-time years, preparing graduates for a range of teaching roles in diverse settings. Assessment methods include presentations, essays, and classroom observations, and graduates are well-positioned for promotion or transitioning into formal teaching positions.

Program Outline

Postgraduate Certificate in Education (Further Education & Skills) (NESCOT) (QA) | University of Greenwich, London

Degree Overview:

This program is a Postgraduate Certificate in Education (PGCE) designed for individuals who hold a degree (2.2 or above) and wish to teach students aged 14 years and older. It equips graduates to teach within the further education (FE) & skills sector, encompassing various settings like school sixth forms, sixth form colleges, FE colleges, SEND provisions, offender education, and adult & community education. The program emphasizes practical teaching skills development, pedagogy, and evidence-based research to underpin good teaching practice.

Outline:

Structure:

• The program is delivered part-time over 2 years.
• It starts in September.

Course Content:

Year 1:

• Teaching & Learning Fundamentals (15 credits)
• Classroom & Behaviour Management (15 credits)
• Subject Specific Pedagogy (15 credits)
• Professional Development 1 (15 credits)

Year 2:

• Professional Development 2 (15 credits)
• Developing Resources & Digital Skills (15 credits)
• Reflective Practice & Professionalism (15 credits)
• Exploring the Curriculum (15 credits)

Modules:

• Teaching & Learning Fundamentals: This module focuses on the foundational principles of teaching and learning, exploring various theories and approaches.
• Classroom & Behaviour Management: This module equips students with strategies and techniques for managing classroom behavior effectively.
• Subject Specific Pedagogy: This module delves into the specific pedagogical approaches and strategies relevant to the student's chosen subject area.
• Professional Development 1: This module focuses on developing professional skills and attributes essential for successful teaching, including communication, collaboration, and reflection.
• Professional Development 2: This module builds upon the skills developed in Professional Development 1, further enhancing professional practice and exploring leadership opportunities.
• Developing Resources & Digital Skills: This module focuses on developing skills in creating and utilizing digital resources for teaching and learning.
• Reflective Practice & Professionalism: This module emphasizes the importance of reflective practice in professional development, encouraging students to analyze their teaching experiences and identify areas for improvement.
• Exploring the Curriculum: This module explores the curriculum in depth, examining its structure, content, and assessment methods.

Assessment:

• Assessment Methods:
• Presentations
• Essays
• Case studies
• Showcases
• Reports
• Reflections
• Evaluations
• Lesson observations (10)
• Assessment Criteria:
• Rubrics are used to grade assessments, indicating a pass (50%+), merit (60%+), or distinction (70%+) classification.
• Constructive feedback is provided on all assessments.
• Assessments are moderated within the team before being returned to students.

Teaching:

• Teaching Methods:
• Active learning approaches are employed, including presentations, group work, class discussions, research, and e-learning (blended and remote).
• Sessions are delivered in a manner that models teaching strategies and resource utilization.
• Faculty:
• The program team is highly qualified and experienced in delivering teacher training, offering knowledge and expertise from across different subjects and sectors: FE, secondary, SEND, and HE.
• The team is accessible, supportive, inclusive, and passionate about supporting students' professional development.
• The team keeps abreast of current research and pedagogic practices, influencing the ongoing development of the program, its delivery, and student learning.

Careers:

• Potential Career Paths:
• Teaching post 14 in the FE and Skills Sector
• Promotion within existing teaching roles
• Transitioning from voluntary to permanently employed teaching positions
• Opportunities:
• Outcomes:
• Graduates are well-equipped to become "early careers teachers."
• The program boasts high achievement, progression, and employment rates.

Other:

• Class Sizes: Students on a NESCOT higher education course are typically taught in class sizes of 16 or fewer.
• Independent Learning: Students are expected to undertake independent learning, supported by access to a well-being team, good resources, LRC services, research guidance, and mentoring.
• Overall Workload: Each week, students participate in 3 hours of taught sessions at Nescot, approximately 4/5 hours of teaching practice in an approved setting, and approximately 3 hours of independent study.
• Dates and Timetables: The academic year is 30 weeks, running from early September to late May.
A full calendar of each module's start and end dates, assessment submission and return schedule, and holiday breaks is provided during induction.
• Support from the Department: Students receive ongoing support and guidance from their personal tutor, placement mentor, and module tutor.
They also have access to tutorials, self-directed or referred access to the HE Support Mentor, and peer support.