PGCE - Initial Teacher Education
University of Sheffield PGCE 2013-2014
We are now able to offer places in English, Mathematics, Science and combinations thereof, Modern Foreign Languages and Geography for September 2013 start.
Applications should be made via the Graduate Teacher Training Registry:
University of Sheffield School Direct PGCE 2013-14
With local schools working in partnership with the University of Sheffield, we are now able to offer School Direct PGCE places in English, Biology, Chemistry and Modern Foreign Languages.
Applications will be made via The National College for Teaching and Leadership.
If you are interested in PGCE in any of these subject areas please contact us at ite@sheffield.ac.uk for further information.
The University of Sheffield has provided courses in initial teacher education for over 50 years. The PGCE course prepares students to teach across the 11-18 age range in: English, Geography, History, Mathematics, Modern Languages and the Sciences. The School of Education has a strong national and international research profile.
The Office for Standards in Education (OFSTED) regularly carries out inspections of the department's secondary ITE course (2002, 2004, 2007, 2011). The grades awarded confirm the consistent high quality of all aspects of the ITE courses, across all subjects.
Recruitment and selection
The PGCE course attracts a large number of applicants. Interview procedures and selection criteria have been negotiated within the partnership, with schools involved in most interviews. The majority of students have good qualifications in their subject specialisms with 71% having degrees of 2.1 or above. A high proportion of students gain QTS with 60 masters credits and enter the teaching profession.
Structure of the secondary PGCE
At the university, students spend roughly 75% of their time in subject groups and 25% in small mixed-subject Educational and Professional Studies (EPS) groups. The first period of secondary school experience is in November and December, with students returning to the university on Fridays to share and reflect on experience. A second, longer period of school experience takes place from February to June. Students complete 2 subject assignments and one EPS project, designed to encourage exploration of educational issues and school experience through research investigations, reading and critical reflection. In the summer term, students undertake an Enrichment Experience in a different educational context.
Partnership arrangements
Since 1993, the School of Education has negotiated three-year partnership agreements with local schools, providing continuity and stability. Of the 36 schools involved in the 2006-2011 partnership, 20 have been in partnership since 1993. Students are usually placed in subject pairs for school experience, with most partner schools taking pairs of students in two or more subjects. Each school has an Associate University Tutor (AUT) responsible for all students and Associate University Mentors (AUM) responsible for the students in their subject areas. AUTs and AUMs are responsible for weekly sessions for students during school experience. Attendance at the twice-yearly planning and development meetings held at the university for AUTs and AUMs is very high. The partner schools have the major responsibility for assessing school experience and are supported by university subject tutors who visit schools on at least three occasions to observe and debrief student teachers. The university has responsibility for assessing all assignments including the Enrichment Experience report.
PGCE Enquiries:
Email: ite@sheffield.ac.uk