general information about teaching

General Information about Teaching

http://www.teach.gov.uk

Recruitment for 2012

Anyone starting PGCE teacher training from September 2012 will, in general, need to hold at least a second class first degree of a UK HEI or equivalent qualification.

The allocation of places may not be made until the New Year (2012). Although the recruitment round will commence as usual, offers will not be made until numbers have been confirmed.

PGCE Options at Canterbury Christ Church

Primary (185 full-time places, 60 are Modern Foreign

Languages – you need a good GCSE or AS level for MFL, final number of places for

2012 still to be confirmed)

Apply by December 2011 for 2012

Non Primary Programmes

PGCE 7 – 14, 11-18 and 14-19, up to 300 places on the full-time route

Post-Compulsory (30 places)

Recruitment may continue through to the early summer for some of these PGCEs

but most fill by the end of the second term

How to Apply

Primary, 7-14, 11-18 and 14-19 full-time routes apply electronically via the GTTR.

www.gttr.ac.uk

Direct Application for:

PGCE Post CompulsoryPrimary – Part-Time and ModularPGCE 11-18 - Modular

Access the forms via the website www.canterbury.ac.uk/vacancies

GTTR Choices

The form goes to each institution in order.

The institution has time to make a decision - interview or reject.

If you are rejected then the form is sent to the second choice - and so on.

Maths, English and Science GCSE

National requirement that teachers have the equivalent of the GCSE Maths and English and Science for Primary and 7-14 age range

Can take GCSE or institution test, but the Canterbury Christ Church test is not a GCSE.

At Canterbury Christ Church the University Maths, English and Science tests do not give you a certificate for future use.

Content of First Degree

Tutors look at this part of the form to judge if you are suitable. You need to prove that the percentage of study undertaken in the degree is sufficient.

A second class degree classification is now needed

Primary PGCE

The candidate has to prove that their degree is an appropriate foundation for the primary curriculum.

Non-standard degrees include: Psychology, Economics, Law, Business Studies. Applicant needs to show a background in the area/specialism they want to teach.

PGCE 7-14, 11-18, 14-19

We are looking for you to be able to prove that 50% of your degree is in the curriculum area that you want to teach.

Personal Statement

We are looking for people who have considered why they want to be a teacher and can articulate this.

Awareness of current issues in educationUnderstand the positive values of

teaching.Have had some recent relevant

experience in a school – or FE College for PGCE Post Compulsory

Work Experience

For Primary you need to have undertaken a few weeks work, if less than that you will struggle as you will be competing with Classroom Assistants amongst others.

PGCE 7-14, 11-18 and 14-19. You should have been into at least one school.

Post Compulsory. An understanding of how FE Colleges work.

School Experience Programme

We have been informed by the TDA that the Student Associates Scheme is being withdrawn. Therefore it will not be running next academic year.

Instead the TDA will launch a new Single School Experience Programme (SEP) from September 2011.

http://www.canterbury.ac.uk/education/student-associate-scheme

Referees

Your academic referee needs to know why you are applying for teaching.

Second reference should be the Head teacher where you have had school experience.

We would expect to see the second reference at interview.

The Interview

Fail the interview and no matter how good the application form and the reference you will be rejected.

The interview needs careful preparation especially for Primary PGCE and those subjects in 11-18 which are very popular.

The Primary Interview

Large group talk (40-50).Followed by smaller group

interviews of five to nine people.No single interviews.Interviewed by a teacher

(mentor) and University staff.

PGCE 7-14, 11-18 and 14-19

Group interview for an hour and a half (15 students) with 2/3 tutors and 2/3 school teachers.

Followed by single subject interview (20 to 30 minutes).

Clearance

Any offer is subject to medical clearance.All trainee teachers currently need to be

checked and cleared by the Criminal Records Bureau (CRB).

School Experience

If accepted onto a course you need to complete school experience which you arrange.

Primary - two weeksPGCE 7-14, 11-18 and 14-19,

one week in a primary.

School Placement

If you live in Canterbury the University tries to place you in, or close to the city.

If you don’t live in Canterbury the University places them in a school unless a preference is stated.

Wait until placement sorted until you decide where you are going to live as 2/3rds of the time is spent in school.

PGCE Post-Compulsory

Subjects available: Art and DesignBasic SkillsBusiness and Administration; Sport, Leisure and Tourism; Humanities and Social Sciences; Science and Technology; Health and Care.

The Post Compulsory Sector includes all education and training following compulsory school education.

Further Education and Tertiary CollegesSixth Forms and Sixth Form CollegesAdult Education Centres

Qualified Teacher Status

Those who obtain the PGCE will not be eligible for Qualified Teacher Status (QTS) required for teaching in the compulsory sector.

However, PGCE students may be recruited by schools and onto the graduate teacher scheme and may be subsequently granted QTS as a result of their additional learning and experience.

Entry Qualifications

a degree or equivalent with a good academic record

academic and/or industrial and commercial experience related to your chosen curriculum area

can demonstrate involvement with young people or adults in the community