Secondary Science Physics with Mathematics

This Postgraduate Certificate in Education (PGCE) Secondary Science 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.

We recognise the importance of being able to teach children to explore, understand and make sense of their world through science.

Training to teach in one of the sciences at the University of Reading is an immersive experience that utilises many modes of delivery and participation with active learning at its core. You will develop your skills throughout the programme so that you are fully prepared to share your love of learning and knowledge about science with the children you will teach. During the course, all students in the science cohort will be trained to teach biology, physics, and chemistry up to GCSE and their specialism to A-level.

Our course is designed in collaboration with our strong schools partnership so that it meets both your needs as a learner and the needs of the children you teach.

You will be taught by staff with national reputations as experts in the field of science education. They are a diverse and incredibly experienced community of academics with extensive school teaching and academic experience.

Your teaching is through a series of practical seminars and workshops in purpose-built science laboratories where interactive and discussion-based techniques will encourage you to engage, reflect and challenge.

You will take part in activities designed to help you to plan your teaching effectively and imaginatively, discovering how to evaluate your skills, particularly in terms of the quality of learning achieved by pupils.

Sessions may include:

• participating in workshop-style sessions with your peers
• attending presentations by subject experts
• working on tasks in groups
• having individual tutorials
• visits to schools or other education settings
• visits to theatres, museums, galleries or sites of educational interest
• writing assignments on aspects of subject teaching and Professional Studies.

Our course is linked with the Association for Science Education, the Royal Society of Chemistry, the Institute of Physics, the Faraday Institute and other academic departments within the University of Reading who all provide guest speakers to our sessions.

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.

Alongside the University tutors, you will be taught and guided by a team of committed and experienced University-trained school mentors.