
Lucy Westley
Senior Lecturer in Education (Maths & Professional Studies)
Primary Education (5-11) (QTS) PGCE
DiscoverLevel:
Postgraduate
Duration:
1 year full time
Starting:
September
Fees UK 24/25:
Full Time: £9,250
Location:
For questions regarding study and admissions please contact us:
The University of Northampton has a long-standing reputation in training creative, dynamic and innovative teachers that transform lives and inspire change for children.
This course is for graduates who are interested in a career in teaching. You will be trained to teach Key Stage 1 and Key Stage 2 (children aged 5 to 11 age range). At the end of the course you will be recommended for QTS, and you will also have studied for 60 credits at Masters’ level.
Updated 21/11/2023
This course has been designed to contribute towards achieving the following United Nations Sustainable Development Goal: SDG4 Quality Education.
You will develop the skills, knowledge and understanding that you need to become a creative teacher who will be able to make a significant difference to the lives of children. In doing so you will demonstrate the professional standards for teaching the 5 to 11 age range as required by the Department for Education. We are committed to ensuring you achieve a high-quality primary education degree with QTS.
If you studied your undergraduate degree with the University of Northampton and are enrolling on to a full-time PGCE Primary QTS 5-11 course in 2023/24 then you will be eligible for the University of Northampton Alumni PGCE Bursary Award*.
This course focuses on the priorities of the KS1 and KS2 National Curriculum and national priorities in education. You will learn how to teach, how to lead and you will develop your subject knowledge to give you confidence and competence in the classroom.
Through this course, you will develop into a highly committed, creative and reflective teacher with Qualified Teacher Status (QTS). Teaching is a practical skill, so you will spend a substantial part of your course in school-based placements within our Initial Teacher Training Partnership schools. There are three assessed school-based placements which will give you experience of a range of educational contexts.
Alongside your placements, there are two Masters’ level modules: Teaching, Learning and Assessment, and Professional Studies. These modules are worth 60 credits at Masters’ level and can contribute to the MA in Education.
*Terms and Conditions apply
School-based placements are integral to this course where you will complete carefully sequenced school-based directed activities, incrementally increase your teaching and classroom responsibilities and develop an e-portfolio to record your progress.
Please note the modules shown here relate to the academic year 23/24. The modules relating to the academic year 24/25 will be available from June 2024.
You must hold an honours degree from a UK University (or recognised equivalent) and the classification should be a 2:2 or above.
You will need to have GCSE passes at grade C/4 in mathematics, English language or English Literature and science, or recognised equivalent before the start of the course.* You will be required to provide proof of these with original certificates.
If you have a GCSE Double Award in science, you must have a grade C/4 or above.
If you have any questions regarding your qualifications please contact Admissions for advice prior to your application.
You will be interviewed, and you will need to undertake Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS), and health checks.
*If you are considering taking a GCSE equivalency test, please contact University Admissions for advice before doing so.
It is considered that you will benefit from school experience before the course starts.
All offers of a place on the programme are subject to:
*These checks are all required prior to enrolment to the programme.
Prior to the award of QTS, providers must assure trainees’ capabilities in English and mathematics. Any work to address shortfalls in English and mathematics must be undertaken by the trainee teacher in addition to other aspects of their training. It is the trainee’s responsibility to secure Fundamental English and mathematics, whereas responsibility for assurance lies with the provider.
If you would like more information on how to make an application, please visit our How to Apply page.
Fees quoted relate to study in the Academic Year 24/25 only and may be subject to inflationary increases in future years.
Fees quoted relate to study in the Academic Year 23/24 only and may be subject to inflationary increases in future years.
There will be additional costs for travel to placements, optional visits within modules, and paper based materials for recording and storage of evidence. We provide financial support for your placement travel costs according to the annually reviewed process.
For more information about possible funding options, please visit our Fees and Funding pages.
You will engage in face to face, online and offsite Learning Events which enable you to reflect and act on University and school-based placements. Throughout the course you will be supported in your independent and group learning by a range of expert tutors at university and by trained mentors in school.
Your course consists of university and school-based learning. You will be in school for at least 120 days. University based days are normally between 9am and 5pm. School-based days will vary according to the requirements of the school and specific placement expectations, but general expectations are that you will be in school between 8.15am and 4.30pm.
Assessment is continuous. You will engage in assignments which will contribute towards your Master’s Level Modules. Your teaching, including planning and assessment, will be assessed during each placement and you will be assessed against the Teachers’ Standards at the end of your training. Partner schools share the responsibility for assessment during the practical teaching.
The core text is Cremin, T. and Burnett, C. (eds) (2018) Learning to Teach in the Primary School. 4th Ed. Abingdon: Routledge (also available as an eBook).
We have an extensive School Experience Library which you will have access to. It is made up of resources specifically for trainee teachers, to support you in your placements. You will be able to borrow activities, planning materials, puppets, games and large books for story time, among many other things.
“The quality of training is enhanced by the excellent resources at the University” (Ofsted 2014).
Senior Lecturer in Education (Maths & Professional Studies)
Primary Education (5-11) (QTS) PGCE
DiscoverWhen you successfully complete this course you will be recommended for Qualified Teacher Status which is presently nationally recognised as the professional qualification for teachers. You will be assessed in teaching the 5-11 age range, thus giving you access to a primary teaching career.