PGCE Secondary - Physics X7KP14

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Course details

From planning engaging lessons and preparing a stimulating learning environment to motivating pupils and monitoring their progress, the PGCE Secondary – Physics equips you with the skills to inspire a curiosity about the physical world. So, whether you’re teaching about the atomic nucleus or the observable Universe, the techniques developed in the course will help you make physics accessible to pupils of all backgrounds.

The course qualifies you to become a secondary teacher for the 11 to 16 age range and provides training for Key Stages Three and Four. Successful completion of the PGCE leads to a Postgraduate Certificate in Education awarded by Durham University and the recommendation for Qualified Teacher Status. The QTS element is accredited by Newcastle University and awarded by the Department of Education.

We pride ourselves on offering a well-planned blend of research and experience in the classroom to start you on your successful career as an Early Career Teacher. We emphasise your entitlement to the Core Content Framework throughout our PGCE course to fully prepare you for the Early Career Framework, which will support you during your first two years of teaching as an Early Career Teacher.

We believe that to be able to teach successfully, you must acquire a good understanding of the ‘big ideas’ of science as well as learn about how to teach Physics. We can help you channel your passion for your subject to be able to share your enthusiasm and knowledge with pupils in school, building your understanding of how children learn in science and the sequencing of learning to accommodate potential challenges.

The University-based sessions focus on a weekly specific pedagogical theme, integrated with sessions devoted to your subject specialism, delivered by subject specialists in the University and the school partnership.

The Professional Studies sessions explore your understanding of critical concepts and classroom practice, allowing you to reflect on your teacher identity and progress as a developing teacher.

Please note that the course does not run to standard University terms. It is delivered full-time, starting in early September and continues over 10 months.

Course structure

Four modules make up the PGCE programme:

New Generation of Learners introduces PGCE students to various fundamental educational theories. It starts the journey of addressing the gap between research and practice.

Pedagogy Practice Inquiry creates a critical link between PGCE students’ understanding of school-based practice, context and theory, and research and policy related to pedagogy (for example, through the lens of lesson planning).

Curriculum Development in Practice offers an opportunity for students to reflect on professional practice in their chosen subject from the perspective of the curriculum.

The predominantly classroom-based Professional Studies and School-Based Practice fosters a critical understanding of issues related to developing professional competence as a teacher. Areas covered include effective teaching strategies, managing the teaching and learning environment, enhancing professional development, and creative dimensions of teaching and learning.

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Entry requirements

The equivalent of a UK 2:2 honours degree of which at least 50% is comprised of Physics. We may accept closely related degree subjects.
If you need to improve your subject knowledge you may be asked to complete a subject knowledge enhancement (SKE) course.
GCSE English and Mathematics at grade 4 (or C) or above (or equivalent). We’ll consider candidates with pending GCSE’s. We’ll consider candidates who need to take an equivalency test in English and/or Maths.
If your qualifications are from an overseas institution you must apply for a Statement of Comparability from ENIC
For International Applicants for whom English is not their first language, a minimum IELT|S score of 7.0 is required with no individual component less than 6.5.

It is highly recommended that any foreign nationals applying "have spent six months living in the UK", have had employment or volunteered as a teaching assistant in a state school in England or in an International school following the English national curriculum, have some knowledge of, or experience in working with, the English National Curriculum

Significant and relevant subject knowledge and recent experience of the science teaching environment. This should be demonstrated at both application and interview

Your interpersonal qualities and your potential to achieve professional skills relating to the Teachers' Standards will be considered when making an admissions decision. Candidates who meet the criteria, will be invited to an interview which will be held online consisting of a range of questions and a series of tasks designed to illustrate your potential to meet the Teachers' Standards by the end of the course.

Successful candidates will receive an offer conditional upon successful Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check and medical assessment. This is for “fitness to teach” before starting the course.

If you have a criminal record of any kind, you may contact the School of Education DBS Manager, Caroline Emery, for further advice and information. All enquiries will be treated in confidence.

Please note, all DBS Enhanced Disclosures for our students must be processed by Durham University unless you have applied to the Update Service.

English language requirements