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.
Why study Primary?
We aim to teach and learn alongside creative, reflective and dynamic practitioners who are committed to teaching children. The programme encourages you to increase your understanding of teaching and learning processes 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 a higher capacity to know more. In line with the University Mission Statement, the programme seeks to prepare teachers for schools at home and abroad with special provision for those intending to teach in Roman Catholic and other Christian schools.
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 preparation for your teaching role, you will be trained across the 5-11 age range, developing knowledge and practice to support your development of:
- Critical understanding of educational theory
- Reflective practice linked to professional standards
- Practitioner research and a wide range of educational issues to understand 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 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.’
Primary PGCE UCAS codes:
Teaching methods
The University-based aspect of the programme comprises curriculum subjects and the wider professional role of the teacher. We aim to develop the pedagogical and practical skills necessary to be an outstanding teacher, as well enhancing subject knowledge.
You will leave St Mary’s achieving a standard of good or outstanding. If this is not achieved, further support and time in school will be required. On the programme you will study two Master's' modules leading to 60 credits at postgraduate level. You will have the opportunity to further your postgraduate studies in your career as these credits are transferable.
Assessment methods
Assessments are used to ensure you understand and can apply the knowledge gained while on the course - both in schools and on campus. This is done through a range of methods:
- Self-assessment
- Audit of subject knowledge for maths, English and science
- Presentations
- Micro-teaching
- Posters
- Essays
- Practical sessions
Assessment is ongoing and tracked against the Teachers Standards. High standards of attendance, punctuality and participation are requirements of all course elements. Assessment is ongoing while on school placements.
School Placements
You will spend 120 days in school and this is organised and co-ordinated by our Placements Office Team, in partnership with our schools. You're supported through this element of the course by the school and link tutors.
We are partners with over 700 schools that support our training programme. During your placements, you will be guided from working with small groups of pupils alongside a class teacher towards taking responsibility for whole class teaching.
The enhancement period - a four-week placement of your choice - could be an SEND, secondary or early years setting. This is a self-assessed placement and is measured against the targets set by you and your Academic Tutor from your first school experience. This is an opportunity to work in schools or educational settings to further enhance your skills in a variety of ways and incorporate one or more of the Standards for Teachers 2012.
Key facts
- 98% of our 2016/17 Primary PGCE graduates were in employment within six months (Destinations of Leavers from Higher Education, HESA)
- Rated 'Outstanding' by Ofsted
- Excellent school partnerships
- Excellent Teaching and Learning
- Taught on our historic Strawberry Hill campus