Jean Dyson from the Faculty of Education, Law & Social Sciences came to our campus to speak to us about the PGCE course that is on offer at BCU.
Some points that i made:
- very intense course - 1 year
- 2:2 min but 2:1 & 1st's preferred
- very competitive - 24 places per year
- skills tests in English and maths are required to be passed before applying
- mentors and tutors are to hand
- 120 days approx in school placement (2/3rds of the course)
- 50 days approx in Uni in lectures/ workshops etc (1/3rd)
- the above doesn't include private study time
- the first part is 'School 1 placement' which is where students are expected to teach up to 50% of the timetable and this is usually in pairs
- the second part is 'school 2 placement' which is where students are expected to up to 66% of the timetable and this is an individual placement
- A substantial amount of experience is required and preferred before you apply (you also have to provide a report from a qualified teacher about your performance on this placement)
- no social life for the period of the course!