Secondary Science (Biology) with QTS (11-16)

To join this PGCE, you will be expected to have:

• A degree equivalent to UK first-class or second-class honours (2:2 or above) in a relevant subject. Other subjects may be considered if you have an A Level (or equivalent qualification) in Biology and a willingness to engage in subject knowledge enhancement;
• GCSE English Language and GCSE Mathematics at Grade C or Grade 4 or above (or equivalent qualification);
• Satisfactory levels of Information and Communications Technology competence;
• A commitment to, and understanding of, secondary education, demonstrating the personal attributes, values and motivation required to train as a teacher.

For the purposes of initial teacher training, level 2 literacy and numeracy qualifications are not considered as equivalent to GCSE Grade C or Grade 4 in English Language and Mathematics. EU students can get country-specific information about the University’s entry requirements and equivalent national qualifications at www.edgehill.ac.uk/eu. If you accept a formal offer from Edge Hill University you will be required to meet the Department for Education's standards for physical and mental fitness to teach and clearance to work with children. Further information, including a Declaration of Health questionnaire and details of how to apply for a Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) Enhanced Disclosure will be sent to you after you have firmly accepted an offer.

Successful completion of the programme leads to recommendation for Qualified Teacher Status (QTS). This PGCE will equip you with a range of academic, professional and vocational knowledge, understanding, skills and values necessary to become a high quality and skilled teacher of Biology. You will experience professional training, delivered to the highest standard, immersing you in the latest teaching and learning pedagogies. The programme aims to develop reflective and analytical skills as well as equipping you with the skills and knowledge required to become a competent and assured secondary school teacher, with sufficient subject knowledge to not only teach across the science disciplines at Key Stage 3, but also contribute outside your specialist subject at Key Stage 4. If you want to help secondary school pupils aged 11 to 16 develop practical and analytical skills and excite their curiosity in the world around them, this is the programme for you.

A balanced combination of coursework and observed classroom experience will be assessed against academic criteria at Level 7 and the QTS Standards. Other tasks will enable you to show your competence in ICT and other areas of science. Specific assessments include:

• Developing a portfolio to detail the activities used to build your subject and teaching knowledge;
• Conducting a small-scale piece of classroom research;
• Evidencing your assessment practice.

Before the end of your PGCE you will need to complete a Career Entry and Development Profile (CEDP) which acts as a useful bridge between your initial teacher training programme and your two-year induction as an early career teacher.