Placements
PGCE Primary Programmes
Our well-structured and supervised primary programmes includes block teaching practices where trainees will gain direct teaching experience and will observe experienced practitioners at work in the classroom. Both block practices, along with other short visits, are undertaken in West Midland primary schools.
The teaching practices are graded as pass or fail and by the end of the second practice trainees will have gained experience of teaching approximately 80 per cent of the timetable in a supportive and guided context.
PGCE Secondary Programme
Student blog
Find out how PGCE Primary trainee Dan MacKintosh progressed during his six week placement at a primary school in Birmingham.
Read Dan's blog
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.
Your first placement is usually paired, so that you and your partner teach up to 50 per cent of the timetable in your chosen subject. The second school placement is a solo one and you will be expected to teach up to 66 per cent of the timetable in your chosen subject.
In addition, you will complete a research placement, which will allow you to study an aspect of subject-related education in more detail. Work on placements is underpinned by the modules undertaken in University.
PGCE PCET Programme
Gaining practical teaching experience is central to the course. You are required to teach for at least 150 hours over the duration of the course and to spend at least 60 days on placements.
We enjoy strong partnerships with a number of organisations and educational establishments across the West Midlands. These include further education colleges, training agencies, community education and, for those who are interested in prison education, we have a number of placements at prisons in the region.
What is it really like to be on placement as a secondary school teacher?
To give you an insight into life as a secondary teacher, our PGCE Secondary students and graduates share their experiences of inspiring secondary school pupils in the classroom in our new series of videos.