PGCE Secondary Citizenship (Postgraduate Certificate of Education)

Overview

The PGCE Citizenship is a postgraduate course for secondary teaching in the 11-16 age range. Citizenship is a relatively new area of the National Curriculum, and was included in the curriculum of all secondary schools from September 2002 onwards. A fundamental aim of the subject is developing politically literate, active and informed citizens.

By the end of the course you will have developed an understanding of the nature of both citizenship and citizenship education in schools. You will understand the core principles and concepts that underpin citizenship and be aware of a range of contemporary debates and issues. You will learn the principles of effective citizenship teaching. Through study, discussion and hands-on teaching, you will deepen your understanding of the ways children learn and how teachers can help them develop as citizens. The course equips you with the skills necessary to teach citizenship classes and facilitate extra-curricular activities and contribute to the life of the whole school.

The course aims to train teachers who are committed to improving their practice and to their future professional development.

Faculty of Social Sciences and Humanities

Applying and entry

PLEASE NOTE There is no official closing date for this course, but you are advised to apply as early as possible as we will only consider your application if there are places available on the course.

Tel: 020 7133 4202
Email: admissions@londonmet.ac.uk

The standard entry requirement is a relevant honours degree classification 2.2 or above. A substantial element of your degree should include elements of humanities and/or social sciences. In addition, you need GCSE Grade C or above (or equivalent) in English and mathematics. It is possible to take a test set by the institution if you have a GCSE Grade D or equivalent.

You must gain recent relevant experience of schools, observing citizenship lessons. Great importance is afforded to your GTTR personal statement and it must demonstrate enthusiasm for the subject and understanding of the aims, nature and purposes of citizenship in schools. You must be able to demonstrate sufficient knowledge of citizenship issues and concepts through the tasks set during the interview process.

Life experiences and personal qualities also influence the selection of trainees for this course. We look for students with some experience of working with young people, or in community organisations, or in non-governmental organisations that are concerned with social justice issues.

Course contents

You spend two thirds of the course in schools. School-based work consists of structured observation visits, curriculum projects and teaching practice. The course structure provides for increasing amounts of school-based work with a gradual progression to whole-class teaching, with responsibility for management and assessment of pupils increasing accordingly. During the year, you will have two substantial periods of school experience in different secondary schools. You will also spend three days in a primary school, which you must arrange yourself.

University-based work involves a variety of learning activities. Lectures and workshops provide formal opportunities to extend your subject knowledge and explore the principles of effective teaching. Workshops also provide opportunities for you to reflect on and discuss your experiences in school, and to learn from one another.

Assessment
There are four elements to assessment. Practical teaching experience is assessed in relation to the Standards for Qualified Teacher Status. Two written coursework assignments focus on curriculum development in the subject area and broader issues and policies in education. A Professional Practice Portfolio is compiled across the year, detailing personal experiences and reflections on your development as a teacher, largely in relation to your practial teaching experience. There are no examinations.

Careers

If you complete the course and also pass the relevant TDA skills tests in numeracy, literacy and ICT, you will be recommended for Qualified Teacher Status for teaching Key Stage 3 (age 11-14) and Key Stage 4 (age 14-16). The majority of previous students have gained Qualified Teacher Status and are now teaching.

Funding

A PGCE Training Bursary is available if you are a UK/EU applicant. For more information, contact the Training and Development Agency for Schools (TDA) on 0845 6000 991 or www.tda.gov.uk

Student profiles

Read a student profile: Mark Judge
Read a student profile: Janett Larkin