Summary
- Faculty of Education, Law & Social Sciences
- School
- The School of Secondary and Post-Compulsory Education and Training
- Duration
- Full Time: 1 year
- Fees
- Full Time: To be announced.
Please contact the Faculty for information:
Tel: +44 (0)121 331 7300
Email: education@bcu.ac.uk
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.
Curriculum workshops are a key element in the course and involve practical work in a range of essential key specialism’s 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 graduates 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. It is available at both Level 6 (H) and Level 7 (M) and all UK and EU students can apply for a training bursary of up to £6,000.
We are justly proud of our educational standards. We are one of the top universities in the UK for teacher training. Birmingham City University is one of just 10 universities in the country that has attained a ‘Grade One: Outstanding’ classification from Ofsted for teacher training.
In addition, the Training and Development Agency (TDA) awarded our secondary teacher training its highest grade, a category ‘A’.
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.
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 has an ICT Suite for digital media and an ICT suite that is shared with students on the Secondary Art and Design with Animation course.
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.
Planning and Resources for 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.
Assessment at Key Stage 3
This module also explores educational issues based, but focuses particularly on monitoring, assessing, recording, reporting and accountability. Trainees will concentrate on how to assess art and design effectively.
Subject Pedagogy
In this unit, 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’ learning is maximised.
Research
This component of the PGCE Secondary Art and Design course complements the research placement and allows trainees to focus in detail on one aspect of art and design in education. This system supports early and continuing professional development.
Assessments
Modules are assessed through a range of coursework and targeted assignments. Trainee teachers are also required to complete a profile of evidence to prove they have reached the standards required by the Teaching and Development 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 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
The MA Education is a flexible part-time programme, available to those attaining the Postgraduate qualification.
Those completing the PGCE Secondary can also apply to study for a Master’s in Teaching and Learning.
Employment Opportunities
This is an “11-16” course with post-16 enhancement, which offers graduates with maximum flexibility when looking for a teaching post.
Our Secondary teacher training has the best employability record in the UK – 98 Per cent of Education graduates started teaching posts in September 2007.
How to apply
Entry Requirements
You must have a good degree 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 and Mathematics prior to entry and if you are offered an interview you will take a written test to assess your standard of English.
As part of the selection procedure, the interview panel will expect you to demonstrate your knowledge of art and design.
Applicants must also meet Training and Development 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
For general information about applying to study at Birmingham City University, please refer to the Making your Application section.
International enquirers may contact the International Office for further help and advice.
Fees Notes
Please contact the Faculty of Education, Law and Social Sciences for further information.
Further Information
Trainees learn to implement teaching strategies on both block placements and serial placements. As part of their learning and professional development skills, students receive feedback about their work from their placement mentors.
The University holds regular Open day events when timed presentations about the course are given.
Further visit days are offered when places on the course have been offered, enabling students to ask more specific questions about the course.
The Faculty of Education, Law and Social Sciences
Birmingham City University
Faculty Office
4th Floor
Dawson Building
City North Campus
Perry Barr
Birmingham
B42 2SU
Tel: +44 (0)121 331 7300
Fax: +44 (0)121 331 6622
Email: education@bcu.ac.uk
Web: Faculty of Education, Law and Social Sciences