Programme summary for Postgraduate Certificate in Education (PGCE): Secondary Music

About the programme

This programme aims to meet the standards required to be recommended to the General Teaching Council for England (GTCE) for Qualified Teacher Status (QTS) in one of the following secondary school subjects: design & technology (food and textiles); English; information & communication technology; mathematics; modern languages; music; physical education; religious education; science. Paramount within the programme are the skills required to educate young people in a multicultural and multilingual urban environment.

Professional qualifications

After successful completion of the programme home students will be recommended to the General Teaching Council for England (GTCE) for Qualified Teacher Status.

Programme structure

Successful completion of the PGCE enables you to apply for teaching posts and the vast majority of our students attain such posts. There is a clear teaching career structure in place, with several paths available. Some graduates take the management path through management in subject or pastoral issues on to senior management and/or headship. Others concentrate on teaching and may become Advanced Skills Teachers.

Career opportunities

Successful completion of the programme enables you to apply for teaching posts. There is a very high success rate for our trainees securing these posts. There is a clear career structure in place within the teaching profession, with a number of different paths available. The Professional Standards provide a framework for a career in teaching, from initial training, through induction and the threshold and on to Advanced Skills Teacher and Excellent teacher status. Some move along the management path - through middle management in subject or pastoral issues to senior management, and headship. Some wish to concentrate on teaching and develop this to become Advanced Skills Teachers.

Support

You receive mentor support within schools supplemented by visits from your UEL tutor. Tutorial support is also available and this will be negotiated around your individual development needs. The programme is designed to support you in meeting the Professional Standards for QTS through focused seminars, lectures and assignments.

Admission

Application is through the Graduate Teacher Training Register (GTTR). You will need to demonstrate through the GTTR form and at interview that you:

are an effective reader and are able to communicate clearly and accurately in Standard English, both spoken and written
possess the appropriate personal and intellectual qualities to be a teacher
have achieved a standard equivalent to Grade C in the GCSE examinations in English and Mathematics
hold a first degree in an appropriate subject from a United Kingdom Higher Education Institution or an equivalent qualification.

The process of selection will involve:

scrutiny of the GTTR form
a face to face individual interview
a subject audit
a literacy task
a numeracy task
a subject task.
a short presentation

UEL is also required to ensure that potential entrants:

satisfy the Secretary of State’s requirements for physical and mental fitness to teach;
undergo an Enhanced Criminal Records Bureau Disclosure to ensure that they do not have a background which prevents them from working with children or young persons or that they have not been previously excluded from teaching or working with children.