PGCE (Secondary): Mathematics

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 whole-school 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.

Download the programme specification. If you would like an earlier version of the programme specification, please contact the Quality Office.

Between 2020 and 2022 we needed to make some changes to how programmes were delivered due to Covid-19 restrictions. For more information about past programme changes please visit our programme changes information page.

You apply for this PGCE through the Department for Education’s Apply for Teacher Training website. More information about the process can be found on the Get into Teaching website.

Please take a look at the information on applying, including the specific qualifications or experience you need for this course.

There's no closing date for primary or secondary applications, but we advise you to apply early to avoid disappointment.

A range of teaching methods is employed across all our PGCE programmes, including:

• Taught subject sessions
• Practical workshops
• Compulsory lectures
• Seminars
• Group and Individual tutorials
• Individual and group presentations
• Supported self-study

You'll need:

• to meet our fitness to train requirements
• a GCSE Grade C/4 or above in English and Mathematics. Please note, we can only accept some UK and international GCSE equivalent qualifications. Please view our list of accepted UK GCSE equivalencies. If you have a non-UK qualification that you believe is GCSE equivalent, you must check this with the Admissions team.
• an undergraduate honours degree, at 2:2 or above from a university in the United Kingdom or an international equivalent in a Mathematics related subject such as Mathematics or Statistics. Your degree should contain at least 50% Mathematics content, for example some Physics or Engineering degrees would be suitable.

Some applicants may be referred to a Subject Knowledge Enhancement course. For more information about Subject Knowledge Enhancement courses, please visit the government guidance page.