General Information about Teaching

1. General Information about Teaching http://www.teach.gov.uk

2. Recruitment for 2013 and 2014 • Anyone starting PGCE teacher training will, in general, need to hold at least a second class honours first degree of a UK HEI or equivalent qualification. • Your degree classification may determine the level of financial support that you are entitled to: http://www.education.gov.uk/get-into-teaching/funding.aspx

3. PGCE Options at Canterbury Christ Church • Primary (This includes the PGCE 7-14 option) • Primary applicants must currently apply by December of the year preceding the one they want to train in

4. Non Primary Programmes • PGCE 11-18 and a small number of 14-19 places • Post-Compulsory (up to 30 places) • Recruitment may continue through to the early summer for some of these PGCEs but most fill by Easter

5. How to Apply • PGCE full-time routes apply electronically via the GTTR. www.gttr.ac.uk

6. Direct Application for: • PGCE Post Compulsory • Primary – Part-Time and Modular • PGCE 11-18 - Modular Access the forms via the website http://www.canterbury.ac.uk/courses/prospectus/pgce/HowToApply.asp

7. GTTR Choices 2013 Entry • The GTTR application is sequential with providers ranked by the applicant. • The first institution decides to interview or reject. • If you are rejected then the form is sent to the next choice etc.

8. GTTR Applications - 2014 Entry • Postgraduate application routes currently being reviewed for 2014 Entry • The proposal is for a single application route for full-time training routes including the PGCE, School Direct and School Direct (salaried) • New process may be concurrent with applicants having three choices

9. Maths, English and Science GCSE • National requirement that teachers have the equivalent of the GCSE Maths and English and Science for Primary and 7-14 age range • Can take GCSE or institution test, but the Canterbury Christ Church test is not a GCSE. • At Canterbury Christ Church the University Maths, English and Science tests do not give you a certificate for future use.

10. Content of First Degree • Tutors look at this part of the form to judge if you are suitable. You need to prove that the percentage of study undertaken in the degree is sufficient. • A second class degree classification is now needed

11. Primary PGCE • The candidate has to prove that their degree is an appropriate foundation for the primary curriculum. • Non-standard degrees include: Psychology, Economics, Law, Business Studies. Applicant needs to show a background in the area/specialism they want to teach.

12. PGCE 7-14, 11-18, 14-19 • We are looking for you to be able to prove that 50% of your degree is in the curriculum area that you want to teach.

13. Personal Statement • We are looking for people who have considered why they want to be a teacher and can articulate this. • Awareness of current issues in education • Understand the positive values of teaching. • Have had some recent relevant experience in a school – or FE College for PGCE Post Compulsory

14. Work Experience • For Primary you need to have undertaken a few weeks work, if less than that you will struggle as you will be competing with Classroom Assistants amongst others. • PGCE 7-14, 11-18 and 14-19. You should have been into at least one school. • Post Compulsory. An understanding of how FE Colleges work.

15. Referees • Your academic referee needs to know why you are applying for teaching. • Second reference should be the Head teacher where you have had school experience. • We would expect to see the second reference at interview.

16. The Interview • Fail the interview and no matter how good the application form and the reference you will be rejected. • The interview needs careful preparation especially for Primary PGCE and those subjects in 11-18 which are very popular.

17. Clearance • Any offer is subject to medical clearance. • All trainee teachers currently need to be checked and cleared by the Criminal Records Bureau (CRB).

18. School Experience If accepted onto a course you need to complete school experience which you arrange. • Primary - two weeks • PGCE 7-14, 11-18 and 14-19, one week in a primary.

19. School Placement • If you live in Canterbury the University tries to place you in, or close to the city. • If you don’t live in Canterbury the University places them in a school unless a preference is stated. • Wait until placement sorted until you decide where you are going to live as 2/3rds of the time is spent in school.

20. Professional Skills Tests • If you're starting an undergraduate programme that leads to Qualified Teacher Status (QTS) or a PGCE after 1 July 2013, you will be required to pass the professional skills tests in literacy and numeracy before you start your course.   • Once you have submitted your application form, you will be eligible to book your skills tests via the Department of Education website. You will need to register online in order to book your tests, find out how on the http://www.education.gov.uk

21. Post Compulsory PGCE • The Post Compulsory Sector includes all education and training following compulsory school education. • Further Education and Tertiary Colleges • Sixth Forms and Sixth Form Colleges • Adult Education Centres

22. Entry Qualifications • a degree or equivalent with a good academic record • academic and/or industrial and commercial experience related to your chosen curriculum area • can demonstrate involvement with young people or adults in the community