Postgraduate Certificate Secondary Initial Teacher Education Art and Design with QTS

The Secondary Postgraduate Certificate in Education (PGCE) is a one academic year (36- week) course that trains graduates to become secondary school Art and Design teachers.

The PGCE course has been designed to train you to practise as a subject specialist teacher for the secondary age range (11-16), and during the course you'll be assessed according to the standards for Qualified Teacher Status (QTS). Our students will often gain experience of the 16-18 age range too, although they won't be formally assessed in this phase.

There are many benefits to teaching and learning in art and design. These undoubtedly include facilitating students' personal progress and enjoyment of the subject while encouraging them to express themselves in class. We might add the potential to both celebrate local and global visual culture, and provide talented graduates to the UK creative industries. Arguably, good art and design education goes even further, stretching students to ask themselves powerful questions that spark their inquisition and providing opportunity to respond critically to the world.

On this course, you'll learn how to confidently deliver a range of technical artistic media, from chemical photography to conceptual sculpture. You'll actively encounter strategies that enable young learners to look, think, and speak about art and design in ways that are relevant to them, and we'll explore the concept of the creative process in depth. You'll be encouraged to read, to debate and think deeply about the means and purpose of delivering inclusive art education that encourages learners to think independently and empowers them to actively shape their own lives.

You'll explore all aspects of secondary art education practice though varied input from specialist tutors, academics, school-based mentors, gallery educationists, and technicians. Our strong links to local arts organisations, innovative visiting practitioners, and our own fantastic facilities mean we're well equipped to prepare you for your career as a practising contemporary art and design educator.

Careers

PGCE programmes include 60 credits assessed at Masters level.

As a trainee teacher, you will be joining a modern and well-regarded programme to train to teach across the 11-16 age range and gain Qualified Teacher Status (QTS).

Entry requirements

You should typically meet the following criteria:

• An undergraduate degree, or a recognised equivalent qualification, with at least 50% in a subject related to what you want to teach. This is typically 2:2 or higher but we will look at all applications against the demands of the course.
• GCSE grade C/4 or above in English Language and Mathematics, or equivalent. We do not accept Level 2 Key Skills, Functional Skills or Certificates in Adult Numeracy and Literacy as alternatives to GCSEs.

Our PGCE courses include a high level of placement based learning and working with children. We would encourage all applicants to get as much relevant experience of working or volunteering with children to help prepare them for this crucial element of their course.