We work in close partnership with schools in designing, delivering and assessing our programme. You have the opportunity to work with tutors who are actively engaged in research and are encouraged to take a critical view of policies and practice.
KEY BENEFITS
- The programme at King's is challenging and students are encouraged to take a critical view of policies and practice.
- Located in the heart of London.
- It is a sociable course where you will be expected to work with others, discussing issues and problems about teaching.
- You have the opportunity to work with tutors who are actively engaged in research in their subject and about teaching.
- Subject specialisms available in:
KEY FACTS
Student destinations
The majority of trainees go into teaching or other areas of education: many become heads of departments or members of senior management teams; some take up careers in educational administration in the advisory or inspection services.
Programme leader/s
Dr Simon Gibbons
Accreditation
Qualified Teacher Status (QTS) is the accreditation which enables individuals to teach in state-maintained and special schools in England and Wales, recognising the attainment of a formal set of skills and qualities candidates require to be effective teachers.
Awarding Institution
King's College London
Credit value (UK/ECTS equivalent)
UK 120/ECTS 60 credits
Duration
36 weeks FT, September to end June.
Location
College sessions at Waterloo Campus; teaching placement in schools in London and the Home Counties.
Year of entry 2013
Offered by
School of Social Science and Public Policy
Department of Education and Professional Studies
Closing date
There is no deadline for applications but in view of the stiff competition for places it is advisable to apply early in the academic year. You may meet all the criteria but preference will be given to candidates in whom we can identify greater potential.
Intake
189
Fees
FT Home: £9000 (2013)
FT Overseas: £14700 (2013)
CONTACTS
Contact information
Postgraduate Officer, Centre for Arts & Sciences Admissions (CASA)
tel: +44 (0) 20 7848 7210
fax: +44 (0) 20 7848 7200
Email
Website
PURPOSE
For those wishing to train as teachers of pupils aged 11-18 in the following subjects: Classics, English, Computer Science, IT and Computer Science, Mathematics, Modern Foreign Languages (French, German or Spanish), Religious Education or Science (Biology, Chemistry, Physics or Physics with Maths). The programme will lead to the DfE Standards for QTS which are assessed through teaching practice observation, portfolios and written assignments.
DESCRIPTION
The programme combines the theory and practice of education. We work in close partnership with schools in designing, delivering and assessing our course.
College based: You will work with other trainees and tutors in your subject area to consider the principles and practice of teaching your subject including curriculum design, the development of materials, classroom management and lesson planning. You will also work with trainees from other subjects in a programme of lectures and seminar groups to examine broad generic issues. During both secondary school placements there are occasional days in college for tutorials to support and monitor progress towards the standards for Qualified Teacher Status (QTS). There are cross-curricular research tasks and assignments.
School based: For 24 of the 36 weeks the training takes place in schools, mainly in two complementary secondary schools but with two short primary school experiences. This introduces you to recognising key constituents of good teaching, helps develop your own teaching skills and gain an understanding of how schools work and how children learn. Some Modern Languages trainees undertake part of their teaching practice in France, Spain, Austria or Germany, funded by the Erasmus programme.
STRUCTURE OVERVIEW
Core programme content
- Work in College
- Professional values and practice
- Support sessions
- First primary school placement
- Two secondary school placements
- Second primary school placement.
Modules:
- 7SSEP001: Professional Studies
- 7SSEP002: Focused Pedagogical Studies
- 6SSEP003: Professional Practice in Education
- 6SSEP004: Pedagogic Resources
Go to the
PGCE webpage for more details.
Indicative non-core content
N/A
FORMAT AND ASSESSMENT
Course assessment: King's and its partnership schools assess trainees through their work in schools and college, coursework assignments and subject work assignments. To be awarded PGCE trainees must meet the Department for Education standards for Qualified Teacher Status.
ACADEMIC ENTRY REQUIREMENTS
General entry advice
A minimum 2:2 degree (usually in the subject you wish to teach) or a qualification recognised as equivalent by the University of London. Knowledge and understanding of the subject you intend to teach. GCSE grade C or above, or an equivalent qualification, in English language and mathematics. Applicants without these English or mathematics qualifications at the time they apply may be considered, but they must obtain them, or pass an equivalent test set by King's, before the course starts. Additionally, applicants for Modern Foreign Languages need to offer two languages, either French and German or French and Spanish, with qualifications equivalent to at least AS-level in the subsidiary language. Classics applicants need to have the equivalent of at least AS-level Latin. ICT applicants must have experience enabling them to teach ICT theory and practice to GCSE and A-level. It is normally a requirement that all entrants to the course have some prior experience of observation or teaching in a state secondary school; where possible, applicants should try to arrange this before the time of interview.
APPLYING TO KING'S
To apply for graduate study at King's you will need to complete our graduate online application form. Applying online makes applying easier and quicker for you, and means we can receive your application faster and more securely.
King's does not normally accept paper copies of the graduate application form as applications must be made online. However, if you are unable to access the online graduate application form, please contact the relevant admissions/School Office at King's for advice.
APPLICATION PROCEDURE
Applications are made through the central national system for applying for teacher training courses.
Graduate Teacher Training Registry (GTTR),
Rosehill
New Barn Lane
Cheltenham GL52 3LZ
Tel: 01242 544788
www.gttr.ac.uk
PERSONAL STATEMENT & SUPPORTING INFORMATION
When you apply you will be asked to give us details of your educational background and to provide a personal statement. We will be looking for evidence that your specialist subject knowledge is both broad and deep as well as being up-to-date. You need to show that you are taking the application seriously and that you have visited or plan to visit secondary schools – and not just your old school. Some evidence of working with young people, as a Teaching Assistant, Student Ambassador, youth worker, etc. will help your application. We are looking for applicants who are able to work closely and effectively with other teachers and who can inspire young people to bring out the best in themselves. As such, good communication skills and a confident and caring personality are an advantage.
FUNDING
For details about governement training bursaries, please see the relevant subject specific prospectus entry, e.g. Mathematics.
Student profiles
Postgraduate Certificate in Education PGCE I have been associated with King's Education department for a very long time now. In the late 80s, in the throes of completing a maths degree and knowing that I wanted to go into teaching maths, I chose King's for my PGCE based on reports of their impassioned teaching and their significant track record of classroom-based research on mathematical learning and assessment. I loved the year, and proceeded to work in London comprehensive schools as a mathematics teacher in 1990.
Seven years later, and having pondered the idea of doing a Master's in Mathematics Education for a while, I chose King's again, now as an adult part-time student. For me, the Master's provided access to recent research in mathematics education, and opened up debates around issues relating to the inception and impact of national policy on classroom practice. I followed the Master's with a full-time PhD, supervision throughout the 4 years was exemplary.
I left England shortly after completing the PhD, and armed with references from my supervisors, gained a post-doctoral research post in mathematics education at Wits University in Johannesburg. I continue to collaborate with King's staff on research, and would not hesitate to recommend King's for anyone considering postgraduate study.
Postgraduate Certificate in Education PGCEAfter graduating from King's, I went on to complete a PGCE at King's too and I am now a teacher of French and Spanish in a grammar school. The fact that King's has such a good reputation came up in the course of the interview and was a key selling point in helping me to obtain my present teaching job.
I had a great time as a student at King's, the lecturers were approachable and I very much enjoyed the support and friendship of my fellow students, many of whom are still close friends.