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Education (Secondary RE) Graduate Diploma,Postgraduate Certificate (PGCE)

PGCE Secondary
The Course Programme Structure Staff Profiles Why YSJ ?

 

York St John was founded by the Church of England in 1841 as a training institution for ‘teachers of the working poor’. Throughout our history we have been mainly associated with teacher education and we have an excellent reputation in the teaching profession.

The most recent Ofsted report (June 2011) rated York St John University ‘outstanding’ for its secondary teacher education.  The key strengths outlined in the report are as follows:

  1. A very coherent pattern of training ensuring that all elements combine effectively to promote high-quality outcomes for trainees.
  2. Excellent communication, mentoring and link tutoring across the partnership ensuring that all those involved in training and assessment work successfully together to secure outstanding trainee progress.
  3. A well-designed and focused RE programme which provides trainees with excellent opportunities to develop a high level of subject knowledge and expertise.
  4. A positive pattern of enrichment activities which helps promote the trainees’ understanding of their subject and of wider issues related to inclusion and diversity.
  5. Very effective systems for tracking trainees’ progress and setting targets for improvement which ensure that trainees are actively engaged in the process of reflecting on their performance.
  6. Strong recruitment procedures ensuring that trainees who are selected have the qualities required to become effective teachers and are well-supported from the outset of their training.
  7. Strong programme leadership and management which is very proactive in anticipating change and responding to initiatives within the subject and the wider educational world.

Our trainees are successful teachers. The cornerstones of our tradition in teacher education are firm knowledge of education and a commitment to professionalism and excellence. At YSJ we celebrate diversity and welcome trainees of all ages and all backgrounds, and aim to meet their varying needs.

This established programme covers the key issues involved in secondary education, delivered by well-qualified and experienced teaching staff. Trainees will be supported in developing a critical and reflective approach to teaching as well as experiencing practical aspects of the secondary curriculum. Employment statistics indicate that employment rates for trainees on this programme are above the national average.

Trainees will complete two main secondary school placements, a diversity placement and a short placement in a primary school. This is a full-time course which is 38 weeks in duration, starting in September and involves full time study from Monday to Friday, as well as two full time school placements. The Teaching Agency’s (TA) expectation is that trainees will demonstrate achievement of all the elements of the YSJ and school-based programme. The normal professional standards of attendance and commitment will be expected.

 

What qualifications do I need to apply?

Entry requirements for programmes leading to QTS are stipulated by the TA 

These are:

  • GCSE in English and Mathematics at Grade C or above
  • A degree of a United Kingdom higher education institution or equivalent.

In addition applicants must satisfy the institution that they have the intellectual capability for the demands of teaching, that they are physically and mentally fit for teaching and that there is no evidence of a criminal background that should prevent them from working with children or young persons. All applicants will need to satisfy the institution that they meet these criteria through their application form, an interview and a DBS check.

  • For this programme successful applicants will normally have an upper second class honours degree from a UK higher education institution, or the equivalent, although applicants with a 2:2 are accepted if they can demonstrate certain aptitudes at interview, as mentioned above. Applicants  degree must have significant components of direct relevance to RE.

It is desirable that applicants have some experience within a secondary school setting and potential candidates are advised to seek at least two weeks of secondary school experience prior to applying for a place on the programme.  This might be for example, in a teaching assistant role or a voluntary placement. Please see School Based Experience for guidelines.  Candidates invited to interview will be sent a ‘Prior Achievement’ booklet to complete that enables them to match their current experience against the Teachers’ Standards.  This supports tutors in giving successful candidates relevant pre-course tasks to complete to enable them to be fully prepared for the start of the programme.

 

QTS Skills Tests

 Anyone applying for an initial teacher training (ITT) course which starts after 1 July 2013 will be required to have passed the skills tests before starting the course.

Once you have submitted your application to us, you will need to arrange to take and pass the tests ideally before interview.

Please refer to the skills tests FAQs for more information.

Book your QTS Skills test here

If you would like to speak to someone about the skills tests, contact the QTS skills tests candidate helpdesk.

Contact details

Skills Tests Helpline
Telephone: 0845 450 8867
Email: skillstests@pearson.com

 

How do I apply?

GTTR code

You will need a GTTR code when you apply for this programme.

  • PGCE Religious Education V6X1

Applications must be made online through the Graduate Teacher Training Registry at http://www.gttr.ac.uk/

 

How can I find out more?

General Information

For general information about YSJ please call our Information Hotline T: 01904 876598 E: admissions@yorksj.ac.uk

Programme information

For specific enquiries about the programme, please contact: Faculty of Education & Theology T: 01904 624624 E:pgcesec@yorksj.ac.uk