Postgraduate Certificate Primary Mathematics

Course Content

• Course Details

  The Postgraduate Certificate in Primary Mathematics is for qualified teachers who wish to transform their own teaching practice and make an impact upon the mathematics teaching and learning within their own school. During the course we focus on mathematical thinking, reasoning and problem solving in primary mathematics without any assumption of pre-existing mathematical knowledge.

  You will enhance your own mathematical reasoning and relate this to effective teaching in the classroom. We support you to work with colleagues in your school to develop mathematics teaching and learning through a range of professional strategies, such as coaching and mentoring.

  In this way, the programme encourages you to strengthen your own practice whilst also having a sustainable impact upon your school’s professional development. Through this programme you will attain professional recognition as a primary mathematics specialist teacher, giving you the confidence to teach and lead in this subject.

  This course is Masters’ level professional development for primary mathematics teachers. It focuses on new and evolving aspects of maths teaching such as fluency, reasoning and mastery. It therefore reflects prevailing government agendas.

  You will have the opportunity to

  • enhance your mathematical subject and teaching knowledge
  • further understand how your pupils learn mathematics
  • evaluate your own learning to improve your teaching practice
  • build your collaborative and leadership skills through peer coaching
  • learn how to develop your schools’ approach to mathematics teaching and learning

  Module information can be found on the Award Map.

  Collapse
• Entry Requirements

  Any qualified teacher working within a Primary School setting is eligible to apply. You do not need to be a leading mathematics teacher or a mathematics coordinator, but you will require the recommendation and support of your Head Teacher.

  For more information on how to make an application for this course, please visit our How to Apply page.

  English Language Requirements

  All International and EU students applying for a course with us must meet the following minimum English language requirements:

  • Minimum standard – IELTS 6.5 overall (or equivalent)
    with a score no lower than 6.0 for writing and no remaining band/component below 5.5

  For information regarding English language requirements at the University, please see our IELTS page.

  Collapse
• Fees and Funding

  21/22 Tuition Fees

  Fees quoted relate to study in the Academic Year 21/22 only and may be subject to inflationary increases in future years.

  • Part Time: £2,490 (60 credits)

  The fee includes all costs for Network meetings and Saturday Conferences. It does not include school cover and travel costs. Schools are often willing to help with costs and some Local Authorities will also support students.

  20/21 Tuition Fees

  Fees quoted relate to study in the Academic Year 20/21 only and may be subject to inflationary increases in future years.

  • Part Time: £2,475 (60 credits)

  The fee includes all costs for Network meetings and Saturday Conferences. It does not include school cover and travel costs. Schools are often willing to help with costs and some Local Authorities will also support students.

  Collapse
• How to apply

  To complete your application you will need to upload:

  • A completed Headteacher and Additional Information form, which includes a personal statement
  • Copy of QTS certificate
  • Copy of Degree certificate
  • Any Change of Name Document (eg marriage certificate) if your qualifications are in a different name to your current surname
  • Photo ID (eg passport, driving licence)
  • Proof of funding (eg either a pdf on letterheaded paper from your sponsor or a purchase order). If you are self-funded, payment options are available.

  For additional information, contact the programme leader Amanda O’Shea.

  Collapse
• FAQs

  How will I be assessed?

  In the first module, you will have two assignments. The first is a reflective discussion of your own mathematical learning with an activity, which you then relate to children’s learning for the same activity. For the second assignment you will mentor or coach a colleague and reflect on their development as well as your own as a mathematics leader.

  In the second module, you will undertake a small research project that develops an aspect of mathematics teaching at your school. You will reflect on everything you have learned to suggest an improvement and lead the project in school.

  The assignment submission is a final research report in which you will analyse and reflect on the impact of this development in your school. For all of the assignments you will receive personalised tutorials and feedback on drafts.

  How will I learn?

  You will be taught in a variety of methods including face-to-face tutorials and workshops as well as online blended activities. There are four compulsory Saturday Conferences of face-to-face sessions, as well as two teach meet meetings for each of the two modules. The Saturday Conferences are held at Waterside Campus, starting at 9am and usually finishing around 4.30pm with light refreshments included.  Dates for each of these Saturday Conferences for each module will be in:

  • Module 1: February 2020 to August 2020

  Saturday conferences: 28th March 2020, 2nd May 2020, 16th May 2020, 13th June 2020

  Additional Teach Meets: Friday 7th February 2020, Friday 3rd April 2020, Friday 26th June 2020

  • Module 2: September 2020 to August 2021

  Dates to be confirmed

  Further tuition on the course is arranged through blended learning approaches on our dedicated online NILE course site. Our library is stocked with a very large range of e-resources that will facilitate your independent learning at a distance.

  How many hours of study?

  • Teaching activities, workshops and seminars, online tutorial and support: 30 study hours
  • Directed tasks and network sessions: 50 study hours
  • Directed reading: 50 study hours
  • Self-directed study: 70 study hours
  • Assessment activity: 100 study hours

  There are face to face session for each of the two cohorts

  Collapse

Careers and Employability

The qualification from this course will recognise your skills as an excellent teacher and leader of primary mathematics teaching and learning. Some teachers have progressed into roles as leaders of mathematics in schools. Others have set up their own companies producing teaching and learning resources based on the principles of the programme. Furthermore, you could also gain additional modules and complete the full MA in Education through the Mathematics Pathway.