Goldsmiths - University of London

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PGCE (Secondary): Mathematics

London secondary schools need good Mathematics teachers: the job is challenging, demanding and rewarding. This programme prepares you particularly
for the demands of multi-ethnic London comprehensive schools.

Student comment:
"I always felt that there was also a focus on my personal development rather than just the skills and knowledge required for the profession. There was a unified process in which you could scaffold, experiment and analyse various situations, which I feel truly prepared me for the educational environment. This was crucial in my development as a practitioner and has allowed me to confidently explore, deliver and reflect on my practice both in and outside the classroom."

Charmaine, PGCE Secondary (Drama)

GTTR Codes:
G1X1
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.
Careers:
Many trainees are offered appointments in their teaching practice school, and promotion prospects are good.
Facilities:
The programmes have a good range of materials including textbooks, workcards, reference texts, practical resources, and ICT
Contact the Department:
Contact Patricia Alexander +44 (0)20 7919 7071.
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.

You need to be well-organised, a good manager of your own time, and able to set priorities and meet deadlines. You need to be resilient, tolerant and understanding of the attitudes of today’s teenagers, and with a commitment to young people as well as your subject. Experience of working with teenagers, such as running a youth group, could be an advantage. You should visit a secondary school before interview.

What you study

In the autumn term the emphasis is on getting to know the different parts of the school Mathematics curriculum and possible teaching approaches. You review your maths experience, identify any gaps and begin to do something about them. We look at the possibilities of using Information Technology in teaching Mathematics, and explore different approaches to assessing pupils.

An important feature of the term is developing your skills in posing questions, and this is followed through in the first assignment, which is built round pupils working investigatively.

Early in the first term you are based mainly in College, but with at least one day a week in school. After half term you spend most of your time in school, with one day a week back in College. Following the Christmas break, you spend almost all your time in a second school, as you develop your skills in planning, teaching and managing whole classes, taking responsibility for them over a sustained period of time. This includes aspects of assessing, recording and reporting on pupils’ attainment, and catering for a range of achievement levels.

You learn about ‘whole-school’ issues as well as Mathematics teaching, and are expected to contribute to the pastoral life of the school. You do an assessed project on a wholeschool or cross-curricular theme.

Later, Mathematics sessions at College focus on broadening your knowledge of resources for teaching, longer term planning, and the post-16 curriculum, though you may already have done some sixth form teaching if it was available in your first school placement.

Register your interest

If you register your interest in this programme we will keep you informed about open days and send you relevant further information.