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St Mary's has been recognised as one of the highest quality providers of training for primary teachers in the country. Our courses are excellent preparation for a career in teaching.
- This programme is rated 'outstanding' by the government (OFSTED)
- Gain Qualified Teacher Status (QTS) and 60 Master’s degree credits
- 98% of PGCE Primary students are employed or in further study (or both) within six months of graduating
- Excellent Teaching and Learning.
- Excellent school partnerships.
Why study Primary?
The programme is designed to increase your understanding of teaching and learning processes. You will study alongside creative, reflective and dynamic practitioners, both university tutors and primary school partners, in order to develop and maintain the high levels of enthusiasm, ability and passion necessary within the teaching profession.
At St Mary's, we look for those who wish to learn from challenges and seek to develop professional knowledge and understanding. The course has been carefully planned to reflect all elements of the new Core Content Framework (CCF) and prepares trainees for their transition from student to Early Career teacher. The curriculum offers a broad, balanced and innovative approach to primary teaching.
In line with the University Mission Statement, the programme seeks to prepare teachers for schools both at home and abroad. For those intending to teach in Roman Catholic and other Christian schools, we offer the Catholic Certificate in Religious Studies (CCRS).
We run three programmes:
PE Specialism course
The full-time course for the Primary PGCE (M) with a Specialism in Physical Education, is for those trainees wishing to gain a deeper understanding of teaching and learning within primary PE.
This is closely aligned to the content of the other Primary PGCE programmes, but the this course is specifically designed to address the directive from the UK Government about improving the quality of training and teaching of physical education (PE) in primary schools.
Find out more about the PE specialism course...
Why St Mary's?
The Primary PGCE programme provides an intense training experience that combines academic rigour with personal and professional learning experiences. The training is designed to meet the needs of each trainee to support and develop the skills, knowledge and attributes needed to start a teaching career in primary education.
In preparation for your career in teaching, you will be trained across the 5-11 age range, developing knowledge and practice to support your:
- Critical understanding of educational theory
- Reflective practice linked to the Teachers’ Standards
- Practitioner research
- Understanding of a wide range of educational issues including the unique characteristics of children and their learning needs
- Subject-specific knowledge and creative ways to enthuse and educate children.
Our Primary and Secondary Initial Teacher Education courses have been judged by Ofsted, the government department that regulates teacher training, to be ‘outstanding’ - the highest grade attainable in an Ofsted inspection. The courses were deemed to be outstanding for both ‘overall effectiveness’ and the ‘capacity for further improvement and/or sustaining overall quality.’
Qualified Teacher Status (QTS)
Our PGCE programmes include Qualified Teacher Status (QTS) and 60 Master’s degree credits. A large part of the programme is spent in assessed school placements that our School Partnership team will arrange for you, based on your home residential address.
QTS is required to teach in all state-maintained schools in England.
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Upcoming open days and webinars
We'll be running events for you to find out more about Primary PGCE on the following dates:
Wednesday 8th June 2022, 7pm
PGCE Online Open Evening registration
Course lead
Helen Williams
Programme Lead - Primary PGCE