PGCE (Secondary) Flexible Programme, Goldsmiths, University of London

PGCE (Secondary) Flexible Programme

This programme provides an innovative and high quality flexible route into teaching for people who want to qualify to teach Community Languages (Arabic, Mandarin Chinese, Panjabi and Urdu), Design and Technology, English or Science (Biology, Chemistry, Physics).

"The flexible route gives two main benefits: the chance to select my own speed of study, and the chance to do most of the academic work on a self-study/correspondence basis. And this is all supported by a personalised course tutor and a programme of college-based workshops and tutorials. The school experience is a testing leap into the unknown for which I am glad I have the support of the experienced staff at Goldsmiths."

Luigi, PGCE Secondary English (flexible route)

GTTR Codes:
CX11 (Biology);
FX11 (Chemistry);
Q9X1 (Community Languages);
WX91 (D&T);
QX31 (English);
FX31 (Physics)

Entrance requirements:
See general entrance requirements.

Fitness to train:
See Fitness to train: criminal convictions.

Applying:

How to apply

Financial Support:
Please see further information on fees and costs.

Contact the Department:
Contact Emma Snowden (Science) +44 (0)20 7717 2996 or Dr Jim Anderson (Community Languages) +44 (0)20 7919 7358 or Jenny Bain (Design & Technology) +44 (0)20 7919 7782 or Maggie Pitfield (English) +44 (0)20 7717 2947.

About the department:
Educational Studies

Application enquiries:
UK and EU students admissions or call +44 (0)20 7919 7050. International (non-EU) students or call +44 (0)20 7919 7702.

What you study

The programme consists of four modules:

Module	Description
Subject Study 1	Introduction to subject studies: supported self-study, together with compulsory attendance at College-based workshops and tutorials.
General Professional Studies	Supported self-study, together with compulsory attendance at College-based workshops and tutorials.
School Experience
School Induction and Needs Analysis	Ten days (normally two full weeks) following a structured programme of activities. Following this, an individual training plan is put in place.
School Experience 1	The equivalent of 10 full weeks following a structured programme of activities, and building up experience of classroom teaching.
School Experience 2	Twelve full weeks following a programme of teaching, together with a number of directed activities.
Subject Study 2	Development of subject studies: supported self-study, together with compulsory attendance at College-based workshops and tutorials.

A staged approach is taken within each of the four modules. Significant elements of the programme must be followed in sequence.

There are two major start dates, in September/October and January/ February. The programme length varies according to your individual circumstances and how intensively you are able to work.

We expect most students to complete over four or five terms (including study over the summer vacation), and all students will normally be expected to complete within two academic years. You may be able to take limited periods of ‘time out’, in agreement with your College tutor.

College-based work

You follow a substantial element of the programme through supported self-study, which enables you to work at home around other commitments. A compulsory programme of workshops and classes based at Goldsmiths provides the essential elements of face-to-face teaching and collaborative learning.

There are a minimum of nine College-based work days across the programmes, a combination of Saturdays and weekdays. Because of the significant self-study element on the programmes, you need to be well-organised and able to meet deadlines. In some circumstances, you may be exempted from aspects of the self-study modules if you can show evidence of having completed an equivalent training course before you start the Flexible PGCE.

School-based work

You complete the equivalent of 24 weeks in school over the three school- based modules. In some cases, previous relevant experience (such as teaching overseas) or experience of working with children in other settings (homework clubs or summer schools, for example) may count towards this total, if supporting evidence is provided.

Normally we expect you to arrange your other commitments to enable you to undertake the school-based modules on a full-time basis. In some cases it may be possible for you to complete School Experience 1 on a part-time basis, as three or four days a week over a longer period of time. However, School Experience 2 consists of full-time attendance in the school for one block of 12 weeks.

School placements

We will normally arrange your placement in a school that is already in partnership with us. Most of these schools are in the Greater London area. The timings of the two main blocks of school experience are arranged to meet your requirements and the requirements of the placement schools. The College may make a contribution towards your travel costs.