Taught course

PGCE Secondary English with Media

Institution
London Metropolitan University · School of Social Professions
Qualifications
PGCE

Entry requirements

In addition to the University's standard entry requirements, you should 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 and Mathematics 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?

Train to teach English with media to 11 to 16-year-olds with our Teaching Regulation Agency (TRA)-accredited course and begin your fulfilling career as a secondary school teacher. You’ll learn the principles of effective English teaching and how to develop school pupils’ love of literature.

A dedicated tutor will provide you with support throughout your training, while school placements will provide you with hands-on practical experience in the classroom.

Successful graduates of our PGCE Secondary courses achieve high results, with 95% receiving an Ofsted good or outstanding grade by the end of the course. Department for Education (DfE) bursaries are available for this course.

More about this course

This Teaching Regulation Agency (TRA)-accredited PGCE Secondary English with Media course leads to Qualified Teacher Status and prepares you to teach 11 to 16-year-olds, while also giving you the opportunity to teach at a college level.

You’ll learn to equip pupils with a strong command of the spoken and written word, and to promote high standards of language and literacy. This will also help develop school pupils’ love of literature and reading for their own enjoyment.

We run this course in collaboration with the English and Media Centre (EMC), an award-winning educational charity. EMC tutors will provide you with support throughout the course, drawing on their extensive experience of consultancy for schools and running Continuing Professional Development (CPD) for teachers. You’ll continue to receive support from a dedicated EMC tutor throughout your school experience.

This PGCE course benefits from our London location and will broaden your understanding of teaching in multicultural and diverse urban environments. Through study, discussion and teaching you’ll develop an understanding of how children learn and the methods you can use to help them to effectively develop their English and media skills.

We place great emphasis on sharing feedback with your peers and colleagues. You’ll complete a weekly reflection and contribute to discussions online in order to further develop your understanding of the role of a secondary teacher.

Although you'll be focused on learning how to teach 11 to 16-year-olds, we seek to provide opportunities for teaching college-aged children wherever possible.

You might be eligible for a bursary or scholarship to undertake this course.

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 broader issues and policies related to English and education

Modular structure

Module 1 - Curriculum Studies, includes:

  • the theoretical underpinning of English as a subject
  • the pedagogical knowledge and understanding required to effectively plan and teach well-structured lessons in the secondary curriculum
  • sessions on English language and literature (and the aspects of English: reading, writing, speaking and listening)
  • training to assess school pupils' progress in each of these curriculum areas

Module 2 - Professionalism and Inclusive Practice (PIP), includes:

  • support for the wider professional development of each student teacher
  • discussion of the role of children's rights and how this underpins effective learning relationships
  • understanding of different aspects of inclusive education
  • introduction to the whole school and wider children's workforce, teamwork and collaborative discussion across different subject areas

There are no examinations.

You will spend 120 days in school spread across two London placements learning to teach with a mentor in secondary schools. In both university and classroom contexts, your self-directed study is extremely important in order to support your development of purposeful educational enquiry, preparing effective teaching resources and ensure your subject knowledge is up-to-date.

Professional accreditation

This 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