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1 Year

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Clive Woolger
Clive Woolger

Recruitment and Admission Quality Assurance for PGCE

clive.woolger@stmarys.ac.uk
020 8240 4154

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Ofsted Outstanding

We are Outstanding!

Following our inspection in February 2019, we are delighted to announce that Ofsted have graded St Mary’s University as ‘outstanding’ in all areas of teacher training. Read more...

This Geography PGCE course combines the development of professional skills needed to teach the subject together with knowledge of contemporary issues in geographical education.

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Why study Secondary Geography?

Our Geography PGCE course aims to prepare you with the practical skills needed to help foster the 'geographical imagination' of young people. This is achieved by teaching this vibrant and exciting subject in an innovative way to support pupil learning. In addition, it explores current debates and research to help understand the purpose of teaching geography and support trainees in their school placements.

Through critical reflection the programme makes links with literacy, citizenship and sustainability, highlighting the importance of geography in helping young people to become more informed global citizens. Geography PGCE trainees are assessed on their ability to teach pupils in the 11-16 age range, but opportunities for A Level teaching is also included in the programme as appropriate.

Why St Mary's?

The Geography PGCE programme covers all aspects of geography teaching with an emphasis on developing an enquiry approach to learning using fieldwork and ICT to support practical activities and strategies for use in the contemporary classroom. Trainees will be encouraged to use a range of techniques and approaches creatively to teach a wide variety of geographical topics. 

Key features include an emphasis on assessment for learning as a tool for development, and on effective planning for the whole ability range to facilitate progress. The experienced geography tutor works in close partnership with trainees, the PGCE secondary team and the placement schools.

If you wish to study for the Catholic Certificate of Religious Studies you will be able to complete several of the modules during your PGCE year. This certificate is often a requirement for teaching in a Catholic school.

Key facts

  • 100% of PGCE Secondary students are employed or in further study (or both) within six months of graduating (Destinations of Leavers from Higher Education, 2016/17)
  • Innovative and imaginative use of ICT is encouraged, including a GIS (Geographical Information Systems) supported by ESRI
  • Varied and dynamic fieldwork opportunities including both residential and local visits organised in association with the Field Studies Council
  • Strong 'Geography Community' developed with local partnership schools, as identified by external examiner in latest subject report
  • Significant teaching input by local and successful school teachers
  • Strong links with both Geographical Association (GA) and Royal Geographical Society (RGS)
  • Strong focus on subject knowledge development
  • Meaningful and practical links with Primary Geography courses at St Mary’s
  • Taught on our historic Strawberry Hill campus in West London

Course content

Modules

  • Effective Teaching and Learning 
  • General Professional Studies 
  • Geography 
  • Investigating Teaching and Learning 
  • Reflective Overview 
  • School Experience One (Foundation) 
  • School Experience Three (Consolidation) 
  • School Experience Two (Development) 
  • Supporting Learners 
Please refer to the programme specification document for a summary of the programme.

Career opportunities

The quality of the provision at St Mary’s is valued by our trainees and schools, resulting in high levels (over 70%) of NQT employment in our partnership schools. Employment rates following the PGCE course are consistently over 90% in teaching roles.

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.

At the end of the PGCE course, you will have the opportunity to complete a three-week placement in a special education setting. This is highly valued by trainee teachers to broaden their understanding of specific learning needs for some learners.

The Careers Service has more information on graduate careers and part-time work available during your course.

How the degree is taught

Teaching methods

The course tutors use a variety of teaching and learning approaches, including lectures, workshop sessions, collaborative and small-group work, paired work, practical activities, with positive use of technology, individual and group student presentations and some self-supported study.

A number of external cross-curricular visits - such as field trips and visits to museums - also take place.

This range of strategies both caters for a range of preferred learning styles and provides good teaching role models for trainees.

Assessment methods

Trainees are recommended for Qualified Teacher Status by successfully meeting the Teachers’ Standards (DfE). Continuous assessment throughout the programme will determine success.

Master's level assignments complement the work in schools and assist in meeting the Teachers’ Standards. These assignments aim to encourage you to be thoughtful and reflective, but also reinforce the evidence-based nature of the course assessment.

Self-assessment is also recognised as a valuable perspective in the evaluation of both school and university-based work.

Other assessments are used to ensure students understand and can apply the knowledge.  This is done through a range of methods:

  • Self-assessment
  • Presentations
  • Micro-teaching
  • Essays
  • Practical sessions
  • Lesson observations

Assessment is on-going and against the Teachers’ Standards. High standards of attendance, punctuality and participation are requirements of all course elements.

School Placements

You are prepared for teaching in partnership with schools that are formally linked to St Mary's, providing an excellent framework to develop teaching skills.

During your studies you'll be allocated two school placements during the 36-week course. In total, 24 weeks is spent in school to ensure close links between theory and practice throughout.

Our partnership schools offer a rich and diverse training programme for our trainees. We work with partner schools throughout the London area. During your placements, you will be guided from working with small groups of pupils alongside a subject teacher towards taking responsibility for whole classes.

Facilities

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Fees and funding

2020/21 fees

  • Home/EU: £9,250
  • International: £12,730
Please note: These fees are annual and may increase in line with inflation each year subject to the Governments review of Higher Education Funding.

2019/20 fees

  • Home/EU: £9,250
  • International: £12,750
Please note: These fees are annual and may increase in line with inflation each year subject to the Governments review of Higher Education Funding.

The UK Government has confirmed that EU applicants starting in 2019 or 2020 remain eligible for 'home fee status' and can access financial support.

Funding

If you are a UK or EU student joining the PGCE programme you may be eligible for a Government training bursary. The bursary amount is based on the highest previous qualification that you have attained to date.

Information about financing your studies can be found within the Fees & Funding section.

If you are a UK or EU student joining the PGCE programme you may be eligible for a Government training bursary. The bursary amount is based on the highest previous qualification that you have attained to date.

Information about financing your studies can be found within the Fees & Funding section.

Alumni discount

A 10% tuition fee discount is available for our undergraduate and postgraduate alumni planning to study a PGCE.

Additional costs

Your tuition fees will cover the cost of all mandatory elements of your programme.

Additional costs could be incurred depending on optional modules chosen and other projects undertaken For further information about additional costs please contact clive.woolger@stmarys.ac.uk.

Further information