Birmingham City University : Secondary Art and Design - PGCE



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Secondary Art and Design - PGCE

Summary
  • Campus
  • City North
  • Duration
  • Full Time: 1 year
  • Fees
  • 2012/13 Full Time: £9,000 per year
    2012/13 (International): £10,300 per year

Overview

The PGCE in Secondary Art and Design course at Birmingham City University offers trainees a wide range of experiences that are essential for anyone wishing to teach this exciting subject at secondary school level. The course seeks to develop confident, dynamic and creative teachers who are committed to making art and design accessible for all.

Curriculum workshops are a key element in the course and involve practical work in a range of essential key specialisms such as ceramics, 3D construction, print making, drawing, mixed media and digital media including animation.

We believe art and design education has a significant place in education and we are producing inspirational teachers who are ready to transfer their creative skills into the classroom.

Key Facts

This is a professional teacher training course that leads to Qualified Teacher Status and it is available at both Level 6 (H) and Level 7 (M).

Teaching Agency bursaries are available for trainees on eligible postgraduate courses in England who are not employed as a teacher. Bursary amounts will vary depending on teaching subject and degree class.

The course has been graded as "outstanding" by Ofsted and described as a "well structured, highly coherent programme" which includes key strengths in "the attention given to trainees' personal well-being and the quality of 'wrap-around' support they receive" and "trainees' outstanding ability to critically valuate their own work to secure their own progress" (Ofsted 2010). 

Our facilities are also second-to-none.  There are fully equipped art studios suitable for 3D construction, printmaking, drawing and mixed media, as well as a dark room for black and white photography.  For textile specialists, there are sewing machines and facilities for batik work and a large kiln for pottery and ceramics.  The department also has an ICT suite for digital media and a shared ICT suite with animation packages.

Newly Qualified Teachers in Secondary Education who completed their teacher training at Birmingham City University placed us 2nd in the country for quality of training in the NQT Survey 2011.

All students are guaranteed outstanding support from both their tutors at the University – all of whom have been exceptional classroom teachers themselves – and from the partnership secondary schools, of which there are more than 200 across the Midlands.

Two thirds of the course takes place in school and we ensure that students are offered a number of placements in a wide range of educational establishments – at least two different schools, plus visits to other schools, including a primary school – so valuable experience is gained in a variety of settings.

Students will have both serial and block placements and will be assigned a trained mentor, who will support and guide students’ work, as well as provide training and feedback.

Course Outline

Course Structure

This course aims to produce highly skilled graduate teachers who have an in-depth knowledge and understanding of teaching and learning, which will enable them to demonstrate the highest levels of professional practice.

By the end of the course, trainee teachers will be confident, reflective and accountable practitioners, able to deliver a rich and diverse curriculum in a contemporary cultural context.

They will be able to accept responsibility for determining and achieving professional goals and exercise professional judgements, based on an informed understanding of education and subject pedagogy.

This is an intensive and demanding course, which offers superb preparation for anyone who is committed to educating young people.

Central to the curriculum is the study of education, pedagogy and professional practice from both generic and subject-specific perspectives, which is delivered using a combination of workshops, lectures, seminar groups and individual study.

To complement this is a programme of subject knowledge and enhancement that supports the development of subject pedagogy. Specialist subject knowledge is up-dated throughout the course to ensure trainee teachers are fully conversant with curriculum requirements.

Trainee teachers are expected to take on significant responsibility for their own progress and development. This system of professional development profiling is welcomed particularly among those who have completed the course because it sets them apart from their peers in their first year of teaching.

Modules

Modules on the course include:

The Individual Learner

This introduces trainee teachers to a range of educational issues, such as teaching and learning styles, the National Curriculum, inclusion and equal opportunities. Trainees focus on how learning occurs.

Rationale for Subject Teaching

Trainees explore through practical and interactive teaching methods, all aspects of the subject curriculum they will have to teach in secondary education and the implications for planning and resourcing.  This module supports trainee teachers as the develop a strong philosophy for their subject in the context of secondary education.

Assessment at Key Stage 3

This module also explores educational issues based on school experience, but focuses particularly on monitoring, assessing, recording, reporting and accountability. Trainees will concentrate on how to assess art and design effectively.

Subject Pedagogy

For this module, trainees will focus specifically on art and design and learn how to apply their in-depth knowledge and understanding into the classroom. The focus is on developing the most effective and creative teaching to ensure that pupils’ are engaged, inspired and motivated and that their learning is maximised.

Research

This module complements the research placement and allows trainees to focus in detail on one aspect of art and design education. This system supports early and continuing professional development.

Assessments

Modules are assessed through a range of directed tasks and targeted assignments. Trainee teachers are also required to complete a profile of evidence towards the achievement of the standards required by the Teaching Agency for the award of Qualified Teacher Status (QTS). Evidence for the QTS Standards Profile is verified by mentors.

Placements

Your first placement is usually paired, so that you and your partner will teach up to 50 per cent of the timetable in art and design. The second school placement is a solo one and you will be expected to teach up to 66 per cent of the art and design timetable.

In addition, you will complete a research placement and visit a number of galleries in the region, with whom we have developed a strong partnership.

After your studies

Further Studies

Our MA Education and Masters in Teaching and Learning (MTL) programmes are designed to serve the continuing professional development (CPD) needs of teachers. Birmingham City University trained teachers with PGCE credits at level 7 benefit from advanced standing on these programmes.

Through practice-based enquiry we can help you to develop your expertise, meet performance management targets and further the strategic priorities of your school or workplace. The programmes are highly flexible, following a tailored initial stage before deciding on a preferred route.

Employment Opportunities

This is an “11-16” course with post-16 enhancement, which offers graduates maximum flexibility when looking for a teaching post.

Employment prospects are excellent based on consistently high employability scores and demand for Birmingham City University trained art teachers.

Entry Requirements & Applications

Entry Requirements

You must have a good degree (minimum 2:2 but 2:1 or 1st preferred) from a UK higher education institution or equivalent in Art and Design or an art-related subject. Candidates must also have a GCSE grade C or above (or equivalent) in both English Language and Mathematics prior to entry.  If you do not already have GCSEs in English Language and mathematics, or their equivalent, and are not registered to take them, you should visit www.equivalencytesting.com.

If you are offered an interview you will need to present a portfolio of personal work which should include a selection of work completed before, during and after your degree.

The selection interview will assess your subject knowledge and personal qualities such as the potential to relate well to secondary age students, enthusiasm, sensitivity, communication skills and robustness and resilience for teaching. You will also take a written test to assess your standard of English.

In addition applicants must meet the Teaching Agency requirements for Initial Teacher Training, which means being medically fit and completing successfully an enhanced disclosure via the Criminal Records Bureau (CRB).

Application Details

All applications need to be made via the GTTR website. All the help you need should be available on their website. The GTTR helpline number is 08701 122 205.

Applications: via GTTR
Course code: W1X1

Enquiries

Prospective students from the UK or EU may enquire online by using the Course Enquiry Form or call +44 (0)121 331 5595.

Prospective students from non-EU countries may enquire via the International Enquiry Form or call +44 (0)121 331 6714.

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