1. Durham University School of Education Postgraduate Certificate in Education (Durham University Partnership Primary PGCE)
Dr David Bolden, Course Director
Irene Osborne, Admissions Tutor
David Wallace, Admissions

2. About this presentation:
The City of Durham and Durham University
The School of Education
The PGCE (Primary) Partnership Programme
The plan for the rest of morning/afternoon
Some things to do if you are offered a place
Questions and answers

4. Durham and the University
If you haven’t been to Durham, go there at once. Take my car. It’s wonderful’
Bill Bryson
3rd oldest University in England
Departments in Durham University are divided between three faculties:
the Faculty of Arts and Humanities;
the Faculty of Science;
the Faculty of Social Sciences and Health
Internationally respected research in education.

5. The School of Education
177 years old
Approx. 1,000 students
50 academic staff
Diverse research interests

6. Ofsted and other ratings
As a result of outstanding centre- and school-based training and the outstanding impact of leaders and managers, there is high trainee attainment against the Standards for teachers and high employment rates.
The partnership in the primary phase is typified by high expectations of trainees and for the training, and a shared vision, ethos and purpose.
[There is] outstanding training in the teaching of English and phonics that equips trainees exceptionally well to teach reading, writing and spelling with confidence and competence in a range of schools.
Mathematics is also of a high quality. Training is based strongly on research and places great emphasis on enhancing trainees’ subject knowledge and teaching mathematics for understanding.

7. University Rankings
The Complete University Guide 2016 ranks Durham School of Education in 3rd position out of 78 ITE providers.
The Guardian University Guide ranks Durham in 5th position. "Times Good University Guide 2015" places Education at Durham in 2nd place.
Times Higher Education World Ranking 2016 Durham was ranked 53rd.
BUT, if we are to continue to be rated outstanding…we need you to be outstanding!

8. Professional knowledge Practice
About the PGCE (Primary) Partnership Course we work in partnership to deliver:
University-based
Subject knowledge
Pedagogy
School- based
Professional knowledge
Practice

9. University-based: subject knowledge and pedagogy National Curriculum (DfE, 2014)
Core
subjects
Over 50 hours for each subject
English; Mathematics; Science
Foundation subjects
12 hours for each subject
Art & Design; Design & Technology; Geography; History; Computing and Information & Communications Technology; Modern Foreign Languages; Music; Physical Education
Plus RE
also 12 hours
Stands alongside the National Curriculum subjects but reflects the Agreed Syllabuses of various religions

10. University-based: professional issues
e.g. topics like managing behaviour; planning for teaching and learning; monitoring and assessment; inclusion; English as an Additional Language (EAL); applying for jobs and interviews ….
Core Issues and Skills
Two day blocks organised around in depth explorations of contemporary issues e.g. synthetic phonics, safeguarding children; behaviour management, prejudice-based bullying, equality & diversity.
Professional Conferences

11. A typical university based week looks like this …
Normal
Timetable
9 am pm
Monday
Science
9 am to 1.15 pm
Core Skills and Issues
Core Issues
& Skills
Tuesday
English
Foundation*
Wednesday
Mathematics
Free time
Thursday
School-based day
Friday

12. So the normal year looks something like this …
Week No. & Date w/b
Focus
No. Days in School
1: 2nd Sept 15
Home Area School Experience (Wk 1) 5
2: 9th Sept 15
Home Area School Experience (Wk 2)
3: 16th Sept 15
Induction Week
4: 23rd Sep 15
Foundation week 2
5: 30th Sept 15
6: 7th Oct 15
Normal Timetable Week 1
7: 16th Oct 15
Normal Timetable Week 2
8: 21st Oct 15
Normal Timetable Week 3
9: 28th Oct 15
Foundation and conferences
10: 4th Nov 15
School-Based Week 1
11: 11th Nov 15
School-Based Week 2
12: 18th Nov 15
School-Based Week 3
13: 25th Nov 15
Normal Timetable Week 4
14: 2nd Dec 15
Normal Timetable Week 5
15: 9th Dec15
Normal Timetable Week 6
16th Dec 15
Normal Timetable Week 7
16: 20th th – 66h Jan
Christmas Holiday
17: 6h Jan 16
Teaching & Learning Conference
18: 20th Jan 16
19: 27th Jan 16
Teaching & learning Conference + Prep for Placement 3
20: 3rd Feb 16
School-Based Week 4
21: 10th Feb 16
School-Based Week 5
22: 17th Feb 16
School-Based Week 6
23: 24th Feb 16
24: 3rd Mar 16
Normal Timetable Week 11
25: 10th Mar 16
Normal Timetable Week 12
26: 17th Mar 16
Normal Timetable Week 13
27: 24th Mar 16
Normal Timetable Week 14
28: 31st Mar 16
Final Teaching Practice Preparation – Week 1
7th – 18th Apr 16
29: 21st Apr 16
Easter Holiday
30: 28th Apr 16
31: 5th May 16
32: 12th May 16
33:19th May 16
34: 26th May 16
35: 2nd Jun 16
University programme (Half-term week)
36: 9th Jun 16
School-Based Week 7
37: 16th Jun 16
School-Based Week 8
38: 23rd Jun 16
School-Based Enhancement Week 1
39: 30th Jun 16
University Programme

13. School-based experiences1
Two weeks home area school based experience (HASE) 2
Weekly serial visits (Thursdays & Fridays) 3
Visits include alternative placements: e.g. Nursery / SEN / EAL 4
First placement (T1- 3 weeks & T2- 3 weeks) 5
Final placements (Term 3, 8 weeks) 6
Enhancement placements (Term 3, 2 weeks) 7
Travel arrangements

14. School-Based: The Partnership – the school training centres
STC = School Training Centre
STCC = School Training Centre Co-ordinator (the University representative in the School Cluster)
The STCC:
acts as your school mentor
oversees your files, etc.
arranges your various placements in the cluster
observes lessons
writes a significant part of your reference.
3. Your university tutor
SCHOOL 1 - STC
School 2
School 3
School 4
School 5

15. Assignments and Assessments …
Academic (Teacher as researcher)
- Essay (5,000 words) 30 Master’s level
- Mini-study (5,000 words) 30 Master’s level
- Professional Issues in School-based Education
(1,500 words)
Professional Strand
- QTS Portfolio - school experience
- English, maths & science workbooks/portfolios
- Record of Achievement
Core Skills and Issues

16. Plan for your interview day …
Activity
Morning Session
Afternoon Session
Arrival & Registration including ID & Qualification Check
08:30 – 09:30
1:00 – 1:30
Welcome Presentation
09:30 – 10.00
1:30 – 2.00
Interviews
Between & 12.00
Between 2.00 – 4.00
Maths Test
Between 9.30 & 12.00
 Written Task
Between & 12.00

17. Timings of Interviews Morning Afternoon
10.15 – – – 11.45
2.00 – – – 3.30

18. In addition ...
If you are offered a place you will be expected to attend the Pre-Course Day in early July 2017 where preparation tasks are set.
The PGCE 90 credits can be used as Year 1 of the 2 year MA(QTS).
You will need to undergo the Disclosure & Barring Service (DBS) check before starting the programme.
You will need to have successfully passed the QTS Skills Tests in Numeracy and Literacy (before 1st Aug 2017).
You will need to undertake a voluntary placement in a primary school and a reference will be required from the Headteacher to confirm this has taken place. I

19. Finally .... The PGCE is a very rewarding and demanding course!
We would normally aim to give you a decision within one working day of your interview;
If you are offered a place on the course, it is likely to be a conditional offer…e.g. on condition of successfully passing the skills tests by a specified date;
But there may be other conditions, e.g. subject to obtaining a 2:1 degree;
Unfortunately, if you do not meet the conditions by the specified date, the offer will be withdrawn;
- If you have any questions you can ask any of the staff you meet on your visit – we will be glad to help.
The PGCE is a very rewarding and demanding course! I

20. Questions?