Taught course

PGCE Primary (5-11)

Institution
London Metropolitan University · School of Social Professions
Qualifications
PGCE

Entry requirements

You will be required to have:

  • a UK degree, preferably grade 2.2 or equivalent
  • literacy and numeracy tests — these are university-based tests, which you will be asked to undertake at your interview
  • a valid Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) certificate and Confirmation of Fitness to Teach (eg a London Metropolitan University Health Check) which you will be advised to apply for after an offer is made
  • GCSE English, Mathematics and Science grade C/4 or above (or equivalent)*

If you hold a third class degree, you may still be considered, particularly if this qualification is supported by a completed Master's degree or relevant work experience.

We do make conditional offers (with strict deadlines) so it is important that you include all pending qualifications in your UCAS application.

The University will assess any overseas qualifications for equivalence using a number of resources including our own internal guidelines, the UK National Recognition Information Centre (NARIC) and the Overseas Degree Table.

We highly recommend the one-to-one tailored advice on eligibility and equivalency offered by the Department For Education Get Into Teaching service.

*If you need to take an equivalency test for any of the required GCSEs, once you've received an offer from London Met please sign up for the BCU equivalence tests, which are the only approved ones to work entirely online. They are only available to teacher training offer-holders, so cannot be taken prior to application.
BCU offer all three GCSE equivalencies. An individual applicant who is holding an offer at an ITE provider will pay a one-off admin fee of £25, irrespective of the number of equivalencies needed. You'll then pay a fee of £75 for Maths, £75 for Science and £90 for English. This will give you access to four areas of learning, which can be engaged with through repeat sessions (the same areas but with different examples that give you a chance to revisit before taking the test). You'll then have the opportunity to take two tests, a first attempt and one resit.

Professional requirements

Before you can be permitted to enrol to this course:

  • you must not already hold QTS or be qualified to teach in another EU/EEA country

Prior to the interview for this course, London Met recommends:

  • you have a minimum of 10 working days recent experience in a school
  • you are prepared for your understanding of current teaching practice and issues in schools to be assessed
  • you have an awareness of multiculturalism and other contexts unique to urban schools
  • you're aware you may be invited to interview based on information given in your application

Some offers may recommend further school experience if required.

Months of entry

September

Course content

Why study this course?

By choosing to train as a teacher of five to 11-year-olds with London Metropolitan University, you’ll be joining a powerful partnership of diverse teachers and schools. In this Teaching Regulation Agency (TRA)-accredited course, the emphasis is on urban multicultural environments, ideal if you want to teach in a city setting. You’ll undertake school placements of 11 and 13 weeks, giving you hands-on practical experience.

Our trainees attain highly, with 95% achieving an Ofsted good or outstanding grade by the end of the course, and 96% obtaining employment, many in their placement schools.

More about this course

This exciting Teaching Regulation Agency (TRA)-accredited PGCE course leads to Qualified Teacher Status and prepares you to teach five to 11-year-olds (Key Stage 1 and Key Stage 2). You'll also be able to work in an Early Years setting.

Our course has two modules designed to help you develop an understanding of your future role as a primary school teacher. This structure gives you room to develop your classroom practice as well as examine the underlying principles and values around educational issues.

The Curriculum Studies module introduces you to the challenges of teaching within urban, multicultural and multilingual schools. You’ll also learn how to teach core subjects including English, Mathematics and Science.

The Professionalism and Inclusive Practice (PIP) module includes your two extended school placements of 11 and 13 weeks. There are clear links to the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child (UNCRC), giving you a responsible framework for meeting the needs of all the children you’ll teach.

Throughout your school placements, our school-based mentors and university-linked tutors will support you in in the classroom. The latter will also teach your university sessions, ensuring there is continuity of support throughout your training. By working in both environments, you have the chance to reflect on the links between your own teaching theory and practice.

With its educational links and high-quality teaching, this course is highly rated by Ofsted:

"[There is an] inclusive, welcoming and open ethos and culture created by course leaders. Combined with the tailored and personalised support trainees receive, [this] enables them to successfully complete their training and confidently go on to gain employment."
Ofsted, 2016.

Assessment

Your assessment will consist of four elements:

  • School placement A
  • School placement B, where your teaching ability will be assessed in relation to the standard for Qualified Teacher Status
  • a Professional Practice Portfolio which is compiled across the year, detailing personal experiences and reflections on your development as a teacher, largely in relation to your practical teaching experience
  • the Educational Research Assignment, which allows you to explore an educational issue

There are no examinations.

Professional accreditation

This PGCE course is accredited by the Teaching Regulation Agency (TRA).

Information for international students

Due to statutory requirements, we are not able to offer sponsorship under the Tier 4 visa route for this course. We will be happy to consider those falling into this category for an alternative suitable course on request. EU nationals may be considered for admission, as well as overseas nationals who already hold an alternative visa in a suitable category or have been granted permission to remain in the UK indefinitely, but please note that an additional international enhanced police check will be required.

To study a degree at London Met, you must be able to demonstrate proficiency in the English language. For more information about English qualifications please see our English language requirements.

If you need (or wish) to improve your English before starting your degree, the University offers a Pre-sessional Academic English course to help you build your confidence and reach the level of English you require.

Qualification, course duration and attendance options

  • PGCE
    full time
    12 months
    • Campus-based learningis available for this qualification

Aylward Academy Cardinal Pole Roman Catholic School Chace Community School Princess May Primary School

Course contact details

Name
Course Enquiries
Email
courseenquiries@londonmet.ac.uk
Phone
+44 (0)20 7133 4202