Admission Criteria

Candidates must be able to satisfy the general admission requirements of the University of the West of Scotland as specified in Chapter 2 of the University Regulatory Framework together with the following programme requirements:

SQA National Qualifications

English at SCQF Level 6 (eg Higher) at C or above

Mathematics at SCQF Level 5 (eg National 5, Credit Standard Grade or Intermediate 2) at C or above

or GCE

English Language and English Literature at C or above

Mathematics at C or above

or SQA National Qualifications/Edexcel Foundation

Acceptable alternatives to the qualifications listed above are given in the Memorandum on Entry Requirements to Programmes of Initial Teacher Education in Scotland (General Teaching Council for Scotland, 2019).

Exceptions to the date by which these requirements must be met may be made at the discretion of the university for entrants who are career changers in priority subjects.

Other Required Qualifications/Experience

A degree validated by a higher education institution in the United Kingdom or a degree of an equivalent standard from an institution outside the United Kingdom. The degree should contain 80 SCQF credit points relevant to the teaching qualification or qualifications being studied. Forty of the credit points must have been studied at SCQF Level 8 or above.

Further information on the specific entry requirements of some subjects is provided in the Memorandum on Entry Requirements to Programmes of Initial Teacher Education in Scotland (GTCS, 2019).

Candidates for this programme must successfully undertake an interview prior to being offered a place.

Candidates who are offered a place on this programme must apply for and obtain membership of the Protection of Vulnerable Groups Scheme before enrolment.

Further desirable skills pre-application

Experience of working with young people and up-to-date knowledge and understanding of secondary education in Scotland will enhance an application to this programme.

General Overview

General Overview

The PGDE (Secondary) programme is designed to fulfil the requirements of the Guidelines for Accreditation of Initial Teacher Education Programmes in Scotland (GTCS, 2019) and the benchmark statements for Standard for Provisional Registration (GTCS, 2021). 

The overall aim of the programme is to develop individuals with a range of transferable graduate skills who will attain the Standard for Provisional Registration and thus be eligible to apply for provisional registration with GTCS and entry to the Teacher Induction Scheme.

In accordance with the relevant benchmarks, graduates will have demonstrated the attributes, knowledge and skills encompassed by the following core areas:

Professional Values and Personal Commitment
The core values defined as Social Justice, Integrity, Trust and Respect, and Personal Commitment, which are integral to, and demonstrated through, all professional relationships and practices.

Professional Knowledge and Understanding
The knowledge and understanding of the relevant areas of the secondary curriculum, including contexts for learning to fulfil their responsibilities in literacy, numeracy, health and wellbeing and interdisciplinary learning; the principal features of the education system and their own professional responsibilities within the learning communities in which they will teach; relevant educational principles and pedagogical theories; and the importance of research in informing professional practice.

Professional Skills and Abilities
The ability to design, deliver and assess effective, appropriate and stimulating programmes of work in one or two subject areas within the secondary curriculum that are suitable for children at different stages of secondary education; and to use reading, research and feedback from a range of sources to inform effective self-evaluation and maintain a record of professional learning and development culminating in an Initial Professional Development Action Plan.

The programme will encourage the student to engage in lifelong learning, study and enquiry and to appreciate the value of education to society. It will also assist the student to develop the skills required for both autonomous practice and team-working.

The following subject areas will be offered:

Art and Design

Biology with Science

Chemistry with Science

English

French

German

Mathematics

Physical Education

Physics with Science

Spanish

Suitably qualified students may be able to undertake study to qualify in two subject areas, with either subject designated first subject.

The Standard for Provisional Registration is part of a suite of professional standards published by GTCS. Individuals obtaining Provisional Registration aim to progress to Full Registration and are then expected to continue to ‘advanced professional knowledge and pedagogical expertise’  through career-long professional learning and professional growth (GTCS, 2021). 

In session 2021-22, programme delivery will be hybrid i.e. a combination of online and on-campus classes. Lectures, tutorials, workshops and use of the VLE, employing a range of learning and teaching methodologies including group work, problem-based learning, concept visualisation (eg using drawing and collage), walking, student presentations, online tutor/student-led discussions, and resources such as subject-specific equipment, interactive whiteboards, laptops and the outdoors, will be used, as appropriate, to develop student learning. In order to enable students from the PGDE (Primary) and PGDE (Secondary) programmes to benefit from working together, the PGDE School & Professional Studies module will be delivered through a blended approach using the VLE and some face-to-face lectures, tutorials and workshops. Within the VLE, students will make use of e-learning methods such as remotely accessing set and extension readings and other course materials, and online and asynchronous communication with peers, and supported by tutors, to address problem-based learning tasks. The additional eight hours of contact time available for programmes calibrated at SCQF Level 10 will be used in the PGDE (S) School Experience module to introduce students to the concept of Personal Development Planning. Student handbooks and other material made available to students will give more detailed information on the particular learning and teaching methodologies, and combinations of these methodologies, to be used for timetabled student sessions. This will clarify for students both their expectations for timetabled sessions, and their expectations for the overall balance of learning and teaching methodologies to be used during the programme.

On-going formative assessment across the programme will provide feedback to students on their developing thinking on educational issues and professional abilities. Summative assessment of academic study will take the form of a report on a defined project of action research and an essay. Summative assessment of the PGDE School & Professional Studies module will be offered at SCQF Levels 10 and 11. In both cases, the assessment will take the form of an essay of 6,000 words but the assessment criteria will be differentiated to match the learning outcomes for the two levels. All students will be enrolled on PGDE School & Professional Studies at L10 and the module will encourage criticality in order to support students considering L11. Students will be given full explanation of the different standards of work required by the two levels, and in March they will be asked to make a decision at which level they will submit. By this time in the programme, students will have completed two substantial periods of school experience and have received feedback on the Subject Studies assignment; these experiences will enable students to make an informed decision. 

In compliance with the requirements of the GTCS, 50% of the programme, a total of eighteen weeks, will be devoted to school experience occurring in each school term, with a block of at least four weeks taking place towards the end of the programme, in secondary school environments. At an early stage of the programme, students will undertake a period of observation on placement in order to establish links between theory and practice. Student handbooks and other very detailed materials made available to students will set out the requirements and expectations of the three substantial periods of school experience, including the maintenance of the teaching file. During each placement, students will monitor their progress through target-setting and evaluation in a personal development plan. Following formative assessment of the first substantial period of school experience, the two subsequent placements will be assessed summatively by the partner school and the visiting University tutor. In addition to written feedback, students will receive Satisfactory or Unsatisfactory grades across the benchmark areas of the Standard for Registration. Assessment of the module is on a pass/fail basis, dependent upon satisfactory or unsatisfactory performance in school. 

Graduate Attributes, Employability & Personal Development Planning

The programme is designed to consolidate and further develop students’ range of graduate skills and attributes that are transferable to other areas of study and professional employment, including: knowing how to access and apply relevant research findings; practising in a range of professional contexts, which include a degree of unpredictability; communicating effectively, both orally and in writing, with a range of audiences; engaging in professional dialogue with peers and senior colleagues; constructing and sustaining reasoned and coherent arguments about professional practices; undertaking critical analysis, evaluation and synthesis of ideas, concepts, information and issues; justifying personal opinions by referring to appropriate evidence from a range of sources; reflecting on and acting to improve the effectiveness of their own practice; adopting an enquiring approach to professional practice, demonstrating some originality and creativity in finding solutions to professional issues; exercising autonomy and initiative in professional activities; working with others and, at times, taking a leading role; and dealing with complex ethical and professional issues in accordance with current professional and/or ethical codes of practice.

Personal Development Planning (PDP) is central to the programme, which aims to develop in every student the professional qualities and capabilities of a reflective practitioner. Although the PDP process is formally embedded within the PGDE (P) School Experience module and is linked to target setting and evaluation on placement, students will be encouraged to reflect on personal and professional learning in academic work and its impact on developing practice and progress towards achievement of the Standard for Provisional Registration. The PDP process will culminate in the production of an Initial Professional Development Action Plan.

Upon graduation and provisional registration with the GTCS, graduates are eligible for entry to the Teacher Induction Scheme. This scheme is administered by the GTCS, in partnership with the Scottish Government Learning Directorate, and provides a guaranteed one-year training post to every eligible student.

Work Based Learning/Placement Details

In compliance with the requirements of the GTCS, 50% of the programme, a total of eighteen weeks, is devoted to school experience occurring in each school term. Should the global pandemic impact school experience, the PGDE Secondary course team adhere to guidance shared by the Covid Education Recovery Group, and provide relevant updates to students. 
 

To assure placement partners that students are appropriately prepared to undertake periods of school experience, and in accordance with module and programme handbooks, any student whose attendance has fallen below the 75% minimum requirement for academic modules during campus study (and who is therefore deemed to be unprepared for a period of school experience) is normally required to undertake a period of further preparation (on campus) when other students are on placement. The attendance requirement also applies to periods of school experience, but it should be noted that any student whose attendance has fallen below the 75% minimum requirement may be deemed not to have met the professional requirements of the programme as accredited by the GTCS and, therefore, may not be eligible for assessment on that placement. In either case, the required school experience placement would normally be completed in the August/September diet following that academic year of study.

Engagement

In line with the Academic Engagement Procedure, Students are defined as academically engaged if they are regularly engaged with timetabled teaching sessions, course-related learning resources including those in the Library and on the relevant learning platform, and complete assessments and submit these on time.

Where a programme has Professional, Statutory or Regulatory Body requirements these will be listed here:

All full-time students (all students on the PGDE Secondary programme) are required to attend all scheduled classes and participate with all delivered elements of the module as part of their engagement with their programme of study. Consideration will be given to students who have protection under the appropriate equality law. Please refer to UWS Regulations, Chapter 1, 1.64 – 1.67, available at the following link: http://www.uws.ac.uk/current-students/rights-and-regulations/regulatory-framework/

In accordance with module and programme handbooks, any student whose attendance has fallen below the 80% minimum requirement for a module could be withdrawn from and given a re-attend decision for that module. To assure placement partners that students are appropriately prepared to undertake periods of school experience, unsatisfactory attendance across academic modules may prevent progress to placement, or result in withdrawal from the programme, as a student would be deemed not to have met the professional requirements of the programme as accredited by the GTCS.

During the pandemic, the professional body (GTCS) has offered flexibility in terms of placement experiences and attendance. The attendance requirements for the individual module can be met through direct teaching experience in school, remote learning, or individual professional learning opportunities.

Equality and Diversity

The University's Equality, Diversity and Human Rights Procedure can be accessed at the following link: UWS Equality and Diversity Policy

Aligned with the overall commitment to equality and diversity stated in the Programme Specifications, the module supports equality of opportunity for students from all backgrounds and with different learning needs. Using the VLE, learning materials will be presented electronically in formats that allow flexible access and manipulation of content (part-time and distant learning students should check with their programme leader for any queries). The module complies with University regulations and guidance on inclusive learning and teaching practice. Specialist assistive equipment, support provision and adjustment to assessment practice will be made in accordance with UWS policy and regulations. The University’s Equality, Diversity and Human Rights Policy can be accessed at the following link: http://www.uws.ac.uk/equality/

Our partners are fully committed to the principles and practice of inclusiveness and our modules are designed to be accessible to all. Where this module is delivered overseas, local equivalent support for students and appropriate legislation applies.

UWS Equality and Diversity Policy

Knowledge and Understanding

Practice - Applied Knowledge and Understanding

Communication, ICT and Numeracy Skills

Generic Cognitive Skills - Problem Solving, Analysis, Evaluation

Autonomy, Accountability and Working With Others

Knowledge and Understanding

Practice - Applied Knowledge and Understanding

Communication, ICT and Numeracy Skills

Generic Cognitive Skills - Problem Solving, Analysis, Evaluation

Autonomy, Accountability and Working With Others

Knowledge and Understanding

Practice - Applied Knowledge and Understanding

Communication, ICT and Numeracy Skills

Generic Cognitive Skills - Problem Solving, Analysis, Evaluation

Autonomy, Accountability and Working With Others

Knowledge and Understanding

Practice - Applied Knowledge and Understanding

Communication, ICT and Numeracy Skills

Generic Cognitive Skills - Problem Solving, Analysis, Evaluation

Autonomy, Accountability and Working With Others

Regulations of Assessment

Candidates will be bound by the general assessment regulations of the University as specified in the University Regulatory Framework.

An overview of the assessment details is provided in the Student Handbook and the assessment criteria for each module is provided in the module descriptor which forms part of the module pack issued to students. For further details on assessment please refer to Chapter 3 of the Regulatory Framework.

To qualify for an award of the University, students must complete all the programme requirements and must meet the credit minima detailed in Chapter 1 of the Regulatory Framework.

Combined Studies

There may be instances where a student has been unsuccessful in meeting the award criteria for the named award and for other more generic named awards existing within the School. Provided that they have met the credit requirements in line with the SCQF credit minima (please see Regulation 1.21), they will be eligible for an exit award of CertHE / DipHE or BA / BSc in Combined Studies.

For students studying BA, BAcc, or BD awards the award will be BA Combined Studies.

For students studying BEng or BSc awards, the award will be BSc Combined Studies.