If you’ve got an undergraduate degree and are striving to become a secondary school Geography teacher, then studying our Secondary Geography PGCE with QTS will help you on your way. You’ll develop your subject specialist knowledge alongside hands-on classroom experience.

Why Secondary Geography PGCE with QTS?

• The course is designed to emphasise practical engagement with the curriculum whilst developing your understanding of the theories which underpin the best models of practice. This means you'll be equipped with the knowledge and practical skills you'll need in the constantly changing world of secondary education.
• A significant amount of your learning will take place whilst on placement within one of our partnership schools. You’ll benefit from being able to observe experienced teachers, from practical hands-on experience and from mentoring to help you develop into an outstanding and successful teacher.
• There is an emphasis on practical engagement with the curriculum whilst developing your understanding of the theoretical perspectives which underpin the best models of practice.
• Upon successful completion of the course we’ll recommend Qualified Teacher Status (QTS), enabling you to start your first year of teaching (NQT year) within a secondary school setting. Our course is designed to prepare you to teach pupils in the 11-16 age range.

The course is a one year postgraduate certificate in secondary education. The programme is divided into two main themes:

• Initial Professional Development: You’ll have the opportunity to explore creative ways to interpret your knowledge into a language a child can understand. We help prepare you for the classroom, allowing you to develop your own thinking, teaching skills and subject curriculum knowledge to a level which you can trial in your placements. Themes include how young people learn, behaviour management, assessment, inclusion, creative and innovative teaching methods and designing learning. You will research theories of child development, gain a greater understanding of current professional issues in secondary schools and develop your own educational philosophy.
• Geography Specialist Subject Pedagogy: You’ll have the opportunity to develop your subject teaching in a stimulating way, using different methodologies and new technologies to inspire and engage young people. We’ll help develop your understanding of the Geography curriculum; progression in Geography; planning and curriculum development in Geography, examination requirements and inclusion issues in Geography.

Placements

A key element of your studies and learning takes place whilst you’re on placement. You’ll undertake a number of compulsory placements as part of your programme, in fact you’ll spend around 120 days in at least two partner schools.

You’ll experience the wider role of a teacher in secondary education. You’ll have the support of both subject and professional mentors in schools who will help you to develop your practice through observations, planning meetings, weekly tutorials, reports and in-depth lesson evaluations. Your university tutor will visit you in school to guide, support and evaluate your progress. Our partnership schools are situated across the local area including Kirklees, Calderdale, Wakefield, Leeds, Bradford, and we’ll endeavour to place you in a convenient location.