Initial Teaching Training 1 Contents Important information The programme information published in this brochure was correct at time of going to print (February 2021) and may be 2 Welcome subject to change. Prospective students are advised to check the definitive programme information, including entry requirements, Why train with us? that is available on our website before making an application, to 4 ensure that the programme meets their needs. 6 PGCE courses 18 Meet the partners 24 Accommodation 26 Literacy and Numeracy tests 26 GCSE Equivalency tests 28 Frequently asked questions 30 Research in the School of Education 32 How to apply - the process School of Education Penbryn 5 Aberystwyth University Aberystwyth UK SY23 3UX +44 (0) 1970 622103 [email protected] @EducationAtAber 2 3 Welcome The School of Education at Aberystwyth University has a long-established history of delivering innovative degree programmes for future teachers. Since 1872, our research and practice-led approach has developed developed teachers who have inspired pupils from all concerns of the world to become successful. The School of Education has developed a pioneering, integrated programme which responds to the needs of teacher education in the 21st century, and which educates and develops student teachers to teach across both primary and secondary sectors. This emphasis on cross-phase teaching is in keeping with Curriculum for Wales 2022 and with the increasing number of 3-19 schools in Wales. As well as primary teaching training, the School offers secondary Initial Teacher Education in the following subjects: Biology with Balanced Science, Chemistry with Balanced Science, Physics with Balanced Science Drama, English, Geography, History, Mathematics, Modern Languages and Welsh.As Aberystwyth University is a bilingual institution, you can choose to follow your course in either Welsh or English.This will enable you to apply for the government’s Welsh-medium stimulus grant. Upon successful completion of the Initial Teacher Education at Aberystwyth University, you will have developed sufficient experience of both primary and secondary schools, which will enhance your employability options. For information on our primary and secondary Initial Teacher Education programmes, please visit our dedicated page. We also recommend that you come to visit us on one of our Open Days, for further information and dates, please visit our website. In the meantime, if you have any questions or queries regarding our Initial Teacher Education courses or would like to speak to a member of staff regarding your options, please do get in touch with us! I look forward to welcoming you to the School of Education. Dr Andrew Davies Director, School of Education 4 5 Why train with us? The School of Education at Aberystwyth University has a long-established history of delivering innovative degree programmes for future teachers. Since 1872, our research and practice-led approach has developed generations of teachers that have inspired pupils from all concerns of the world to become successful. These are just some of the reasons why you should consider Aberystwyth for your Initial Teacher Training Year: • Our innovative Initial Teacher Education (PGCE) enables you to experience teacher training at both Primary and Secondary schools • All students who have met their entry requirements and have enrolled onto the course will be offered free University Accommodation for the 8 weeks required on campus. This means that you will be able to live in Aberystwyth University campus accommodation for the duration of the university contact time (8 weeks), have access to all of our facilities (Students’ Union, Library, free platinum Gym membership) and get to know your fellow course members who will be starting on their professional life as teachers with you • You will be taught and mentored by practitioners who have a wealth of experience, knowledge and skills to instil in your formative year as student teachers • We are partnered with primary and secondary schools located across the mid Wales corridor and North Wales. You can read more about our partners on page 18 of this publication. Our partners also assist us with the interview process, so you will meet one of our partners during your PGCE interview • For the 2021 / 2022 entry, if you currently don’t have a B grade GCSE in Mathematics, English or Welsh you will be eligible to sit an Equivalency test at the University. If you currently have a D grade or below at Science, we also offer you the opportunity to sit an equivalency paper for this subject • As part of the application procedure, all applicants will be required to sit entry tests which include Numeracy, Literacy (English) and a Welsh Literacy test (for those studying through the medium of Welsh only). Further information on the Entry Tests can be found on our dedicated page • Aberystwyth University is the only university in Wales to be awarded the University of the Year for Teaching Quality twice in consecutive years by the Times and Sunday Times Good University Guided 2019, it has also been awarded Welsh University of the Year in 2020 and most recently as University of the Year for Teaching Quality and Student Experience in 2021 • The University has also been awarded Gold for Postgraduate Studies in the 2019 What University Student Choice Awards. 6 7 Initial Teacher Training (PGCE) Primary > Primary (3 -11) (PGCE, 1 year) Secondary > Biology with Balanced Science (PGCE, 1 year) > Chemsitry with Balanced Science (PGCE, 1 year) > Drama (PGCE, 1 year) > English (PGCE, 1 year) > Geography (PGCE, 1 year) > History (PGCE, 1 year) > Mathematics (PGCE, 1 year) > Modern Languages (French, German, Spanish) (PGCE, 1 year) > Physics (PGCE, 1 year) > Welsh (PGCE, 1 year) 8 9 Primary (3-11 years) PGCE (Primary) The Primary PGCE course will equip you with the professional skills needed to become a successful teacher who can engage all learners and lead learning across the primary age range. Working across all Areas of Learning and Experience, you will work with skilled and experienced practitioners learning how to teach ambitious, capable and confident learners who are informed and confident about the world beyond school. This is an innovative course, which will give you an enriched understanding of the progression of pupils into the next phases of their education through focused experiences in other phases of schooling. Together with your fellow students on the secondary programmes, you will study the principles of effective pedagogy, assessment, lesson and curriculum planning. You will participate actively in learning, contributing to seminars, delivering presentations and engaging critically with research. During the University sessions, you will plan and deliver micro-lessons in preparation for the practical element of the course. You will study the full range of the primary curriculum with an opportunity to focus on specialist areas and phases in either the Foundation Phase or Upper Primary. In addition to specialist placements in primary schools, you will experience a short placement in a secondary school working to develop your understanding of the continuum of children’s learning. You will also undertake an action research project to develop an aspect of your practice and begin your career as a research-informed teacher. Key Facts Degree type: PGCE. Entry requirements: A Bachelors (Honours) degree, or equivalent. Applicants Course code: 3DHM. must also demonstrate GCSE grade B or above in English Duration: 1 year (full-time). or Welsh (first language) and Maths, and GCSE grade C in a Science subject. 10 11 Biology with Balanced Chemistry with Science Balanced Science PGCE (Secondary) PGCE (Secondary) The Biology course will provide you with the The Chemistry course will provide you with the professional skills needed to become a successful professional skills needed to become a successful teacher who can develop learners’ skills and teacher who can develop learners’ skills and understanding of Biology and its application. understanding of Chemistry and its application. You will study the curriculum for Biology as part of the Science You will study the curriculum for Chemistry as part of the Science and Technology Area of Learning and Experience, and you will and Technology Area of Learning and Experience, and you will collaborate with students in other subject areas to develop your collaborate with students in other subject areas to develop your practice in working across the curriculum. There will be focus on practice in working across the curriculum. There will be focus on the teaching of Biology as part of the single and double award the teaching of Chemistry as part of the single and double award GCSEs and Biology A level. All students in science subjects are GCSEs and Chemistry A level. All students in science subjects are trained to teach Balanced Science at Key Stage 3. trained to teach Balanced Science at Key Stage 3. In addition to specialist placements in secondary schools, you In addition to specialist placements in secondary schools, you will experience a short placement in a primary school working will experience a short placement in a primary school working with skilled primary teachers. You will also undertake an action with skilled primary teachers. You will also undertake an action research project to develop an aspect of your practice and begin research project to develop an aspect of your practice and begin your career as a research-informed teacher. your career as a research-informed teacher. Key Facts Key Facts Degree type: PGCE. Degree type: PGCE. Course code: 3DGP. Course code: 3DGR. Duration: 1 year (full-time). Duration: 1 year (full-time). Entry requirements: Entry requirements: A Bachelors (Honours) degree, or equivalent, at least A Bachelors (Honours) degree, or equivalent, at least 50% of which is Biology-related. Applicants must also 50% of which is Chemistry-related. Applicants must demonstrate GCSE Grade B or above in English or also demonstrate GCSE Grade B or above in English Welsh (first language) and Maths.