Secondary Biology (School-Led) PGCE with QTS
Course Overview
In conjunction with Secondary Lead School partners, the University of Chester offer Biology (11-16 with sixth form enhancement) as a subject specialism leading to the award PGCE with QTS. Teaching is an extremely rewarding and challenging career. Our course is designed to provide you with the knowledge, understanding and skills that you need to be an outstanding teacher. We aim to nurture teachers who are passionate about the development of their own and their pupils' learning.
Biology is taught in conjunction with Lead Secondary Partners: Alliance of Leading Learning, Sandstone Trust, Salop Teaching Partnership, Teach Cheshire and Wade Deacon Trust.
The course allows you to teach Secondary Science with a focus on your specialism. You will develop your subject knowledge, practical skills, and pedagogy in all aspects of science at KS3, whilst also developing your expertise in your preferred discipline of Biology at KS4 and KS5 depending on your degree and experience.
Science enhanced with Biology
For this you need a good honours degree with a significant proportion of Biology plus the ability to demonstrate an enthusiasm for science and science education. There is a wide selection of degrees which will be considered. The course is designed to ensure you are confident in all basic national curriculum requirements.
Our ‘School-led PGCEs’ were previously named ‘School Direct PGCEs’
Changes within the government’s Department for Education have led to a change in nomenclature, but the courses remain the same in both build and delivery. The way we work with our partners and local schools has not changed.
Accreditations
How we teach at the University of Chester
Professional and academic learning takes place within the University and partnership settings in lectures, seminars, practical workshops and tutorials. School-based learning is assessed holistically against the Teachers’ Standards, and through assignments and directed activities.
Your Future Career
Becoming a Teacher
On successfully completing your PGCE, you will attain Qualified Teacher Status (QTS). This will mean that you can then go on to become a teacher in your chosen area when you graduate.
To support you in securing your first teaching post, we host a careers event for each course to support you as you prepare for the teaching market.
Your Personal Academic Tutor (PAT) will be able to advise on your personal statement and can also provide a reference for you.
Once you graduate, whatever you’re PGCE route, you’ll be able to teach across the entire 3-11 age range, and in secondary schools.
The placements included in your course are designed to equip you with the practical skills and experience to support you in pursuing a career in teaching. Whilst some graduates do achieve job offers from placement schools, this is not guaranteed, and you will need to find a teaching post at the end of the course.
A qualification in teaching has the possibility of leading to:
- Senior Leadership Team roles in Schools (Head Teacher, Deputy Head Teacher etc.)
- Specialist roles such as a Special Educational Needs & Disability Coordinator (SENDCo)
- Further study
- Support Roles in Education Institutions
- Higher Education roles
Careers service
The University has an award-winning Careers and Employability service which provides a variety of employability-enhancing experiences; through the curriculum, through employer contact, tailored group sessions, individual information, advice and guidance.
Careers and Employability aims to deliver a service which is inclusive, impartial, welcoming, informed and tailored to your personal goals and aspirations, to enable you to develop as an individual and contribute to the business and community in which you will live and work.
We are here to help you plan your future, make the most of your time at University and to enhance your employability. We provide access to part-time jobs, extra-curricular employability-enhancing workshops and offer practical one-to-one help with career planning, including help with CVs, applications and mock interviews. We also deliver group sessions on career planning within each course and we have a wide range of extensive information covering graduate jobs .
PGCE Courses at the University of Chester
Beyond The Classroom
On this course, you’ll spend time out on placement where you’ll apply what you have learnt to real scenarios in the workplace, giving you genuine experience and insight that will prepare you for your future career.
School of Education, Foyer
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Dr Anjali Shah
Senior Lecturer
