PGCE in Post-Compulsory Education and Training

Teaching Institution	Awarding Organisation

If you are interested in training to teach in the Post-Compulsory Education and Training (PCET) sector, this part-time PGCE course will provide the skills and experience you need.

This Programme Specification contains an overview of the PGCE in Post-Compulsory Education and Training and how it will be taught and assessed at Shrewsbury College. At the end of the document, you will find some more general information on support and guidance available to you whilst studying with us.

This document should be read in conjunction with the Staffordshire University Specification for this award.

We hope you choose to come and study with us at Shrewsbury College and take advantage of the opportunity to access Higher Education locally in Shropshire. 

Welcome from the Director of Higher Education at Shrewsbury College

Staff Profiles

Jane Owen

Director of Higher Education and Professional Qualifications
Telephone: 01743 653459
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Jane manages and oversees the quality of higher education at the college. She also teaches in education programmes. She teaches Module 2 (Curriculum Design for Inclusive Practice) of the programme.

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Helen Hawksworth

Course Leader
Telephone: 01743 653439
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Helen is the Course Leader for the Teacher Training Programmes. She also teaches on Education and Access to Higher Education Diplomas. She teaches on Modules 1 (Teaching, Learning and Assessment in PCET) and 3 (Action Research into Subject Specialist Pedagogy) of the programme.

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Mark Brown

Course Team
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Mark is the Group Vice Principal Information & Strategic Development. He teaches Module 4 (Developing teaching, learning and assessment in PCET) of the programme.

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Julianne Ward

Course Team
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Julianne is a Personal Tutor on the programme. She also teaches on Education and Access to Higher Education Diplomas, is Course Lead for HE Education programmes and coordinates Access to HE Diplomas.

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Overview of the Award – what does the course involve?

This part-time course will provide the skills and experience needed to teach or train in the Post-Compulsory Education and Training (PCET) sector. This practical work-based course is designed for teaching post-16 learners and is built around professional standards for teaching and supporting learners in the PCET sector. The course provides opportunities to develop professional understanding and knowledge through professional practice experience, critical reflection and academic study.

Programme Aims

Aims of the programme:

The Post Graduate Certificate in Education (PGCE) (PCET) award aims to develop your abilities (in collaboration with peers and colleagues) to become outstanding teachers who demonstrate:

1. an ability to challenge, engage and transform the way in which you see the world
2. excellence in all aspects of classroom practice
3. the ability to work in an inter-professional and interdisciplinary way to meet the needs of all your learners
4. the highest levels of self-evaluation and reflection on teaching and learning
5. the highest professional standards and commitment to continuing your own learning as a teacher;
6. an understanding of the education sector and a commitment and ability to contribute to its future development.

These aims can be achieved within a learner-centred success culture which will:

• provide a stimulating and innovative learning environment that maximises and enhances your experiences and develops your potential to become an outstanding teacher
• develop your ability to demonstrate a systematic understanding of knowledge that is at the forefront of an academic discipline or area of professional practice and that of the wider education community
• foster an academic community supported by research that provides you with a comprehensive understanding and critical evaluation of policy and literature that informs your pedagogical and subject-related practice
• provide you with opportunities to apply new critically enhanced knowledge and skills within the context of teaching, learning and assessment relating to your own subject specialism, environment and wider professional practice
• provide learning experiences that reflect the importance of, and celebrate, diverse communities and enable inclusivity and accurate (oral and written) communication of all those wishing to engage in learning and development
• provide a programme of timely assessment and feedback which enables you to become self-aware, reflective and independent teacher with the skills necessary to make sound judgements and decisions in complex, unpredictable situations within practice and/or the wider education arena
• provide a programme that inspires you and provides you with opportunities to develop as an independent teacher with the skills required to advance knowledge in relation to your own specialist subject area, pedagogy and professional practice
• provide a programme of study that encourages you to demonstrate critical awareness and evaluation of current research, advanced scholarship, contemporary problems and/or new insights, many of which are at, or informed by, the forefront of the discipline relating to education.

Particularly distinctive features of the existing award/s include:

• A viable and creditable training award/s mapped to professional standards for both graduate and non-graduate routes into teacher training (PCET)
• As a trainee, you are encouraged to review your own practice in the light of learning and practice through formative and summative assessment
• Progression routes from ITT award/s to L7 undergraduate study
• Enhanced employability. Modules promote research-informed approaches to developing work-based practice for a diverse range of trainees working in a broad range of teaching and learning environments
• Assessment strategies that incorporate a range of approaches requiring you to demonstrate reflection and development of practice.

The programme will have at its core the notion of teaching and learning being about the transformation of individuals and communities. The focus and development of employability skills is a cornerstone of the award. This means that you, along with other trainees, will be able to contextualise theoretical frameworks with practice-based learning in order for you to develop interpersonal, analytical and problem-solving skills as well as becoming an autonomous learner and reflective practitioner.

Programme Learning Outcomes

As you progress through their academic and personal development journey you will develop:

Awareness – understanding and appreciation of the community in which teaching and learning are conducted and your role in reflecting and shaping the future agenda of teaching and learning environments.
Altruism – become purposeful and focused on achievement and empathetic of the impact of your decisions, agendas and action on the experiences of others.
Articulation – confidence in your ability to communicate your ideas and requirements using a range of media and tools of analysis.
Adaptability – ability to be flexible and willing to address and embrace change in the pursuit of better solutions and environments.
Authenticity – a genuine, respectful and sincere approach to your dealings with others and able to lead and engage with others to share with and learn from diverse communities of practice.

These attributes will be embedded in the learning outcomes of the total learning experience requiring an innovative and evolving approach to learning and development of knowledge and skills, which encourages partnership in design and delivery and engagement in assessment and progression. 

This programme is distinctive because:

The qualification is delivered at Shrewsbury College to offer learners the opportunity to study Higher Education in a local college environment. Learners can share experiences and develop new skills using technology-based practice linked to theory. The course is tailored to meet the needs of learners and the needs of the industry.

Employability

Graduates of this course have gone into teaching and/or training careers in Further Education Colleges, Sixth Form Colleges, Training Providers, NHS, the Prison Service and other recognised educational establishments.

Programme Structure, Modules and Credits

This award is delivered through a two-year, part-time, in-service and pre-service route in Partnership organisations.
Potential exit award = Certificate in Education and Training (CET). This is the only potential exit award prior to the completion of the entire PGCE (PCET) modules. 

Teaching Practice:

You will need to meet the minimum requirement of 150 hours teaching practice (plus 100 hours engagement with wider responsibilities of the role). Prior to enrolment onto the PGCE (PCET) programme, you will need to have secured teaching hours.

Teaching and Assessment

How will I be taught?

Teaching and Learning
We know that everyone learns differently and brings a wealth of practical experience and detailed knowledge of specific contexts to share with peers. So not only do we use traditional ways of teaching like lectures, we also use problem-based learning to help you apply your skills through:

• Working with others on group work
• Delving deeper into subject areas in workshops
• Independent study

Our teaching is supported through our Virtual Learning Environment (VLE), Microsoft TEAMS (and the University VLE Blackboard). This means you can access a range of materials to support your lectures wherever you are.

Assessment
You’ll be assessed by measurement of your performance on placements, through observed teaching, and through written assignments/research tasks/observations.

Learning support
Your course tutors will provide lots of support. But you can also take advantage of our HE Progress Mentor, who can help you with:

• Study skills (including reading, note-taking and presentation skills)
• Written English (including punctuation, grammar)
• Academic writing (including how to reference)
• Research skills
• Critical thinking
• Revision, assessment and exam skills (including time management)

Shrewsbury College Learning Resource Centre & University of Staffordshire Libraries
You can access a range of electronic and print resources and support from subject specialist librarians.

Additional support
If you have additional needs like dyslexia or a sensory impairment, then our HE Progress Mentor is here to help make sure nothing stands in your way.

Feedback
We know that it’s important for you to be able to gauge your progress. So, your tutor will give you feedback on any practice assessments you do.

We usually give you feedback on formal assessments within 20 working days, but the format will vary for each module.