Training Teachers
Bath Spa University has a long tradition of Initial Teacher Training,
and courses are planned and taught in close collaboration with teachers
in schools. Each year we recruit a diverse group of around 500 trainees
to our wide variety of courses in Initial Teacher Training leading to
the award of either a Postgraduate or Professional Graduate Certificate
in Education (PGCE).
We pride ourselves on our innovative approaches to
Initial Teacher Training and this is evident throughout our PGCE
programmes - our Primary and Early Years PGCE has the highest possible
OFSTED rating for quality. The combination of theoretical and practical
study in University and in schools or other educational settings will
enable you to develop as a reflective and critical practitioner. You
will become creative and inspiring teachers as a direct result of
feeling confident and skilled in the subjects you are teaching.
Our PGCE Trainees
We actively
welcome trainees from a wide variety of backgrounds. What matters most
is the belief that you have what it takes to be a good teacher. Many
trainees join us straight from university but an increasing number of
people are choosing to pursue teaching as a second career, bringing
with them valuable knowledge and experience from the world of work. In
addition, we particularly welcome applications from groups
under-represented in teaching, notably black and minority ethnic
trainees and disabled trainees. Male teachers are also in short supply,
particularly in primary schools.
School Based
A high proportion of
time is spent on serial and block school placements, working with
school students, teachers and university tutors in the classroom.
School placements are varied so that you will have experience of
teaching in different types of school (for example rural and urban
schools; schools with different social and ethnic mixes).
Carefully Phased
You will build up
confidence and competence in your teaching ability through a carefully
phased programme of development. The content of all our courses is
relevant to the National Curriculum, and you will build your curriculum
understanding and teaching skills within this framework.
Financial Incentives
The Training
and Development Agency for Schools (TDA) offer tax-free training
bursaries of between £4,000 (£100 a week) and £9,000 (£225 a week),
depending on the subject you train to teach. In addition, if you go on
to a newly qualified teacher (NQT) position in one of the priority
subjects you may be eligible to receive a one-off taxable ’golden
hello’ bonus of between £2,500 and £5,000 once you’ve completed your
induction year.
Wide Choice of Subjects
At Bath
Spa University we offer PGCE courses in a wide choice of subjects for
both Secondary (11-16) and Key Stage 2/3 (7-14) age groups. We
currently have vacancies for the following courses starting in
September 2008:
In addition to the above we will also have a full
portfolio of courses starting in September 2009, including Primary and
Early Years, History, Physical Education and Art & Design.
Enhancement Courses
If
you want to become a maths or science teacher, but you have an
unrelated degree, we offer 6-month enhancement courses in maths and
physics. Starting in January 2009 these courses are designed to boost
your subject knowledge and give you the confidence to complete the PGCE
in these subjects.