PGCE Post Compulsory Education (PCE)
2009 - 10 FINAL YEAR OF THE PGCE PCE PROGRAMME
(We are not able to accept applications for year 1 of the part time programme for 2009 - 10)
The PGCE PCE is a highly successful rigorous and rewarding teacher training programme for teaching in the FE Sector which was highly commended by Ofsted in their 2008 inspection report.
The core of the PGCE PCE programme is delivered in our three partner further education colleges: Exeter College; South Devon College; Yeovil College.
From September 2009, the PGCE PCE Programme will only be offered as a Full Time Programme.
Applications for this course are made direct to the FE college where you would like to study. Application forms are available from the colleges or from our website http://education.exeter.ac.uk/pages.php?id=492
If, having read this page, you still have questions about the course or about your eligibility to apply for the course please contact the appropriate college.
Programme Summary
The PGCE (PCE) is a recognised teaching qualification for those intending to teach in the further education (FE) sector and for practising teachers within the sector wishing to undertake an approved programme of teacher education. The course may also be undertaken by professionals outside of the further education (FE) sector (e.g. health care professionals) who have a significant teaching responsibility attached to their job roles.
The programme operates in three partner FE colleges: Exeter College; South Devon College; Yeovil College and is predominantly taught by practising lecturer/educators who are based in those institutions. Students are also required to attend a number of sessions at the University. These are timetabled by the FE colleges.
The Graduate School of Education has a strong commitment and involvement in the post-compulsory sector. The course has achieved consistently high gradings in recent inspection reports.
Centre of Excellence in Teacher Training (CETT) status
The University of Exeter together with Bath Spa University and the University of the West of England are working with Further Education, Work-Based Learning, Adult & Community Learning and the Voluntary & Community sector, in an inclusive and collaborative way to raise the quality of teaching in the learning and skills sector. The SWITCH partnership is funded by the Quality Improvement Agency (QIA) as one of eleven national CETTs and is co-ordinated by the SWitch Co-ordination Unit based at Learning South West.
Qualified Teacher Status (QTLS)
The PGCE (PCE) leads to QTLS in the Learning and Skills sector (post-16). Graduates from the programme are not qualified to teach in the (5-16) state school system where a school-based QTS is required. The course is not generally appropriate for students wishing to pursue a career in the University sector.
Programme Content
The PGCE (PCE) provides you with the framework to acquire the practical teaching skills required to teach in the Further Education sector. You will gain knowledge and understanding of the broad context. Crucially, you will be encouraged to develop a range of critical and reflective skills, which are an essential and integral part of what it means to be a teacher. During the first semester you will concentrate on the practical skills of teaching such as:
- Planning sessions
- The needs of learners
- Using different teaching techniques
- Assessing learners
- Using resources
- Evaluating your own teaching
During the second semester you will be encouraged to broaden and deepen your understanding through a combination of group work and research covering:
- Teaching, learning and resourcing
- Curriculum, assessment and evaluation
- Researching education
- Professional educational development
You will also complete option units, all of which are endorsed.
Length of study
The full-time course runs for 1 year from September to July. It comprises a mixture of teaching practice (6 hours per week) and 2 full days of classroom based work per week. Students are expected to teach for an average 6 hours per week (based on a 30 week year) for the duration of the programme.
Teaching practice
Where you have been offered a place on the full-time 'discrete' PGCE PCE programme the FE college will find an appropriate teaching placement for you. However, should you secure a place on a full-time 'in-fil' basis at any of the colleges, the responsibility for finding a teaching practice placement will be yours. Part time trainees, many of whom are already employed as teachers are responsible for securing their own teaching placements.
Accreditation
The programme is fully accredited and endorsed by Lifelong Learning UK (LLUK).
Fees/Bursary Payments and CRB enhanced disclosure requirements
You should contact your Local Authority for details of eligibility for maintenance allowances which are associated with this programme. You should also apply to the Student Loans Company regarding loans. All students are required to be in receipt of a CRB disclosure which is deemed satisfactory by the University of Exeter’ Details of our procedures can be found on www.ex.ac.uk/crb/. Students on the full-time programme may be eligible for a bursary payment, see the LLUK website for details. Application for this course is directly to the partner institution of the University and not the GTTR.
The Ted Wragg Awards for Outstanding Trainees
The Ted Wragg Awards for Outstanding Trainees are in honour of Professor Ted Wragg, a nationally recognised advocate of the teaching profession and a man who inspired a great many of today’s best teachers and teaching practices. More details about the awards generally; More details about the awards for PCE.
Duration
The length of the course is one year full time.
Course
2009 - 10 FINAL YEAR OF THE PGCE PCE PROGRAMME
(We are not able to accept applications for year 1 of the part time programme for 2009 - 10)
Teaching & Assessment
2009 - 10 FINAL YEAR OF THE PGCE PCE PROGRAMME
(We are not able to accept applications for year 1 of the part time programme for 2009 - 10)
Fees & Funding
2009 - 10 FINAL YEAR OF THE PGCE PCE PROGRAMME
(We are not able to accept applications for year 1 of the part timne programme for 2009 - 10)
Entry Requirements
2009 - 10 FINAL YEAR OF THE PGCE PCE PROGRAMME
(We are not able to accept applications for year 1 of the part time programme for 2009 - 10)
All applicantiopn forms MUST be sumitted to the Course Director at either Exeter or at Yeovil FE Colleges. This is where the majority of the PGCE PCE programme will be delivered and where your teaching placement will be arranged. All applicants must be able to demonstrate at least one of the following:
- an undergraduate degree
- a professional qualification which has equivalence to an undergraduate degree (Example: for a chef, a CGLI1706/3 is required; for a maths teacher, a relevant degree is needed)
- a Stage 2 teaching qualification (e.g., C & G 7407 or a university ratified level 4 equivalent)
- a minimum of 5 years full-time or substantial (more than 0.5) teaching experience in a College or training environment
All prospective trainees need to be able to demonstrate a capacity for independent and self-directed learning at the appropriate level.
As a teacher it is essential to have a good command of written and spoken English as well as good maths skills. One of the requirements of LLUK is that all trainees are able to demonstrate an appropriate (level 2) standard of competence in literacy and numeracy. Therefore, trainees are required to show that they have achieved these standards of literacy and numeracy before the final award can be made.
It is a requirement of the University that all applicants to the programme should have a satisfactory enhanced level CRB disclosure. Applicants who meet the requirements in their employer organisations will be expected to provide documentary evidence to the University. However these must be no more than 24 months old. The university of Exeter reserves the right to refuse entry to the PGCE PCE programme where the dislosure is not clear.
You should discuss your eligibility with the appropriate Course Director in the FE college where you MUST make your initial application. The final decision concerning admission to the PCE PGCE rests with the University Programme Director.
2009 - 10 FINAL YEAR OF THE PGCE PCE PROGRAMME
(We are not able to accept applications for year 1 of the part timne programme for 2009 - 10)
What are the aims of this programme?
- To enable students to gain a range of experiences of teaching and learning upon which to base informed judgements about their own educational practice.
- To support students in their teaching in order that they might gain strength as confident, autonomous decision-makers in their practice and that they might identify their own strengths and weaknesses, needs and interests and use such knowledge in the identification of appropriate individual aims.
- To provide students with a range of insights into learning and teaching that they might develop their analytical and evaluative skills as well as their critical awareness of educational practice.
- To enable students to ground their theoretical explorations in the real life of their continuing teaching and learning, and come to understand the essential place of theory in practice.
- To enable students to locate their understanding of curriculum and, in turn, their own educational practices, within the wider social, economic, political and moral contexts of which they are part.
- To enable students to have the opportunity to pursue studies of their own choosing, whether for the purpose of specialising in study immediately relevant to their work as teachers or for the purpose of gaining insight into a wide range of issues.
- To enable students to engage in work that is both professionally appropriate and personally rewarding.
How am I assessed?
Assessment is on a strictly pass/fail basis. There is no summative exam. To achieve the award, you will have to fulfil all the course work and teaching practice requirements within the full time or part time programme.
All assessments are moderated and marking is standardised to ensure consistency quality of standards and fairness.
Final awards are made at the Examination board which normally takes place in the Septermber following the end of each programme in July.
Module Information
Current modules:
- Core Studies: educational practice (EFEM001)
- Practical teaching (EFE3002)
- Elective Studies Supporting Professional Practice (EFE3003)
Student Experience
2009 - 10 FINAL YEAR OF THE PGCE PCE PROGRAMME
(We are not able to accept applications for year 1 of the part time programme for 2009 - 10)
Trainees on the PGCE PCE programme come from a broad cross section of the population; some are already practitioners whilst others are new to the profession. Ages and backgrounds vary widely as does their experience, knowledge and professional histories. This breadth of experience dramatically enhances the learning and development of all as it provides a rich and inspiring resource to support and underpin the programme through sharing of good practice, learning experiences and skills
Trainees are expected to develop a palette of skills:practical teaching; academic; professional; thoeretical and personal. It is a learning journey. Trainees are effectively supported on their journey by the course tutors and the Course Director in each FE College; by their mentors in their teaching placement; by the administrative and academic staff at the University of Exeter. Support for learning and for disbailities is also provided on application.
Current Student Locations
This Google map shows the approximate distribution of students currently registered on this course.
(please note the map may take several seconds to load students depending on the course. Not all students will be displayed.)