Secondary Mathematics

Our Postgraduate Certificate in Education (PGCE) Secondary Maths course leads to the award of Qualified Teacher Status (QTS), qualifying you to teach the 11-18 age group in secondary schools in England and Wales.

You will be taught at the University by experienced mathematics teachers, well versed in both theory and practice. Your placement in a local school will be supervised by expert mathematics teachers who are all specially trained as mentors. Many of them have been through the PGCE with us themselves and are well placed to guide you. You will build up your classroom practice as you work closely with them in the early days, developing your skills and confidence until you can stand alone.

In schools, you will be involved in:

• observation of other teachers
• planning and teaching parts of lessons/small groups
• planning and teaching lessons and sequences of lessons to classes
• reflecting on and evaluating your teaching
• receiving feedback on your teaching
• gaining experience of the range of responsibilities of classroom teachers and form tutors

Your university teaching is through a series of lectures, practical seminars and workshops, where interactive and discussion-based techniques will encourage you to engage, reflect and challenge.

Sessions will include:

• participating in workshop style sessions with your peers
• attending presentations by subject experts
• working on tasks in groups
• having individual tutorials
• visiting schools or other education settings
• collaborative lesson planning, delivery and evaluation

You’ll participate in active discussions around the key issues in teaching particularly focusing on how children learn, why they behave as they do and how you can motivate and support them. We have a strong social justice and climate curriculum where all views are welcomed. These learning activities will help you to develop a toolkit of knowledge and skills, ensuring you are well prepared to tackle challenges and opportunities throughout your training and your career.

Your assignments actively connect the research and work of others in the field to what you’re doing in the classroom and are thoroughly supported by staff and resources.

At the end of the course we offer our students an opportunity to get experience in a broad range of settings and educational environments such as special needs schools, Pupil Referral Units, independent schools, museums, and charities.

The PGCE Secondary Mathematics programme is all about helping you find your style of teaching and being the kind of teacher you want to be.

You may be eligible for a scholarship or bursary to help pay for your study. Students from the UK may also be eligible for a student loan to help cover these costs. See our fees and funding information for more information on what's available.

The Department for Education (DfE) also offer a range of scholarships and bursaries. To find out if you may be eligible, visit their bursaries and scholarships webpage.