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| Programme title: | Mathematics Enhancement Course |
| Apply: | direct to the University |
| Start (ft): | January |
| Mode: | full-time |
| Duration: | 6 months full-time |
| Location: | Bedford campus, Polhill Avenue |
| Faculty: | Faculty of Education, Sport & Tourism |
| Department: | Department of Secondary & Post-Compulsory Education |
The mathematics enhancement course offers a period of developing personal mathematics subject knowledge and focussed reflection on the learning of mathematics.
It provides an opportunity to train as a teacher of mathematics for those who do not have the majority of mathematics in their first degree.
Mathematics can be engaging and exciting and our aim is to develop teachers who share that belief and can convey it to their pupils.
We will explore the connections to be found in school mathematics in order to develop depth of understanding and generate interest and excitement which will be sustained and transferred in the classroom. Teaching will include a broad range of approaches including individual, pair and group work, practical and ICT based activities.
Candidates are offered a place on the course on the recommendation of an ITT provider.
On successful completion of the 24 week course, students follow the programme for the Secondary Mathematics ITT course on which their provisional place was offered.
Offers the opportunity to enter mathematics initial teacher training courses.
You may be eligible for a tax-free bursary.
There are no fees to pay.
Our Bedford campus is one of the largest providers of Initial Teacher Training in the UK.
We boast an impressive record for training teachers.
Qualified Mathematics teachers are in great demand for posts throughout the UK.
Students complete six assignments which are presented in a variety of formats.
There are no formal examinations.
Fantastic facilities
Our modern, multi-million pound Learning Resources Centre, which opened in 2001, houses an IT training suite, 385 study places and silent study areas, as well as group study areas.
It also has 120,000 loan materials, and 120 PCs, all of which are linked to the internet and have all of the computer packages you will ever need during your time with us, such as Microsoft Office, databases, email accounts and shared printers.
There are also dedicated mathematics software packages available in the Mathematics Centre which are a regular feature within the course.
And if the many books available at the Bedford LRC are not enough, you can also use the journals over at the Luton LRC, along with the online digital library, which you can access from the comfort of your own home, as well as the University campuses.
You can also work within The Learning Hub, which is an informal group working space with 50 PCs, a digital projector and interactive whiteboard.
Bedford-based students can also benefit from BREO – the University’s virtual learning space, where you can check for announcements and find out about assessments, lecture notes and loads more to help you get the most out of the University.
Staff profile Julia Croft – PGCE Secondary Mathematics and Mathematics Enhancement Course Leader
Julia originally trained as a computer programmer in the aerospace industry. She retrained as a mathematics teacher and then worked at Sharnbrook Upper School until December 2005.
Her role included the development of the use of data to inform teaching within the school and across the learning community.
Julia is an active member of the Association of Teachers of Mathematics, the Association of Mathematics Education Tutors and the British Society for Research into the Learning of Mathematics.
Her research interests are currently Assessment of Mathematics Learning, and Support Mathematics for newly Qualified Teachers.
All applicants must have a confirmed offer of a place on a PGCE, GTP or SCITT course with a recognised provider in England of initial teacher training, by the time the Enhancement Course starts in January.
For those applying to the University of Bedfordshire Secondary Mathematics PGCE, candidates must possess a good honours degree with some relevance to mathematics, and A-levels (or equivalent) in Mathematics or Physics.
All applicants must have GCSE grade C (or equivalent) in English and Mathematics. Recent and relevant experience of working with children, preferably in a mainstream school, is desirable.
All suitable applicants will be interviewed and will undergo a check by the Criminal Records Bureau.
We actively encourage applications from mature students or those thinking of returning to education.
Students whose first language is not English and who do not have Grade C in English need to hold IELTS with an average score of 6.0.
Participants on the 24 week mathematics enhancement course are eligible to receive a TDA training bursary of £200 per week* which is linked to your intention to take up an initial teacher training place, following successful completion of the enhancement course.
You do not pay course fees.
*TDA Bursary for 2010 entry.
The course runs from January to June and consists of 12 hours in university and 12 hours of independent study per week.
HOW TO APPLY
All applicants must have a confirmed offer of a place on a PGCE, GTP or SCITT course
with a recognised provider in England of initial teacher training, by the time the
enhancement course starts in January.
Once you have received a confirmed offer, applications for the enhancement course are
made direct to the University. For further information and an application form, please
contact the Bedford campus Admissions Team on +44 (0)1234 793279.
For those applying for the Secondary Science PGCE, applications are made through
the Graduate Teacher Training Registry (GTTR). For an application pack, please contact:
0870 112 2200 or visit: www.gttr.ac.uk
