About the Course
Develop as a highly qualified, effective and confident teacher of mathematics, studying with an experienced, specialist team to gain the knowledge and skills you need to teach your specialist subject.
Mathematics is a challenging and demanding subject within the school curriculum. On this largely school-based course, you develop the skills to teach a broad spectrum of mathematical concepts using a variety of approaches, including a focus on building thinking skills through investigational, collaborative and problem-solving activities.
In your taught sessions, you attend lectures and seminars designed to develop your awareness and understanding of professional issues; the nature and content of the mathematics curriculum; and the role of Information Communication Technology (ICT) in relation to mathematics; and aspects of teaching such as planning and assessment.
During the course, you spend around 70% of your time in placement schools where you are trained to teach across the 11-16 age range. You develop the skills and knowledge to teach mathematics in a creative and imaginative way, using a variety of different approaches.
When you successfully complete the course, you achieve Qualified Teacher Status (QTS), enabling you to work in a school as a teacher. As it also develops your ability to be an evidence-informed teacher, you are well placed to pursue further awards such as Chartered Teacher Status.
Why choose this course?
- Study at our Bedford campus, home to one of the largest education providers in the region with a long and established history of teacher education
- Benefit from our well-established links to more than 500 schools across the eastern region, a network that puts us at the forefront of educational developments
- Learn to apply your subject and theoretical knowledge to practical areas of teaching expertise including different teaching approaches; planning and preparation; and managing the mathematics classroom
- Be able to evaluate the impact of applying theory to your teaching practice and use your evaluations to inform your future actions
- Hone your skills of critical self-evaluation and gain confidence in analysing your own practical experience during your school placements
- Engage with relevant research literature and develop the skills of a reflective and research-informed practitioner
- Develop your creativity and team-working skills, preparing you to influence and lead in educational settings while enhancing your own sense of independence
Course Leader - Mieka Harris
My area of interest lies in contextualised learning, guiding learners to appreciate the purpose of a session or class, and making links across their knowledge base.
I am also a huge advocate of teaching strategies that promote confidence in pupils, and so teach through the lenses of inclusivity and promoting opportunities for success. I have taught on a variety of courses, largely with a mathematics focus.
Units
- School Experience 1 (EDC177-6) Compulsory
- School Experience 2 (EDC178-6) Compulsory
- The Curriculum Specialist (Secondary Mathematics) (EDC170-6) Compulsory
- The Evidence Informed Curriculum Specialist (EDC176-6) Compulsory
The assessment strategy is based upon the premise that critical evaluation of theoretical perspectives as they apply to your own teaching is an intrinsic element of best teaching practice. Throughout the course, therefore, you will continually be encouraged to explore what is known about teaching and learning, and to demonstrate independence and creativity in evaluating the relevance of that knowledge in your own context. Sound subject knowledge is a fundamental quality of an effective teacher and you will be expected to demonstrate a commitment to ongoing development of that knowledge throughout the course in preparation for the final assessment. Also key to the course is a focus on the development of evidence informed teaching, culminating in an extended systematic study of your own practice. By embracing the professional requirements for Qualified Teacher Status within the course it supports you in developing the qualities which define the University of Bedfordshire graduate teacher: an independent, reflective, creative, innovative, collaborative and resilient professional who is committed to ongoing personal and professional development. The assessment for this course seeks to support you in developing your understanding of the interplay between theoretical perspectives and practice based experience. You will be developing your skills of reviewing and evaluation of evidence, critical thinking, creativity and independence. The themes for your evidence informed writing are developed from local and national subject priorities and, therefore, allow you to develop the evidence of your understanding of values and principles underpinning the Teachers Standards as they apply to your working context. By building your work around these themes, you will generate rich evidence which can contribute to the assessment of your professional performance: the Profile Review Points. Hence, the assessment items are intrinsically connected and, in combination, allow you to demonstrate your achievement of all learning outcomes. The Profile Review Point is the process by which the mentor reviews your progress in your teaching practice and offers this evidence to your university tutor to review against all the other evidence that they see of you on the course. The Teachers Standards 2012 provide the framework by which this progress is judged and are supplemented with descriptors which support you in understanding the qualities which define the level at which you meet the standards. The Teacher Standard descriptors are included in the School Experience unit assessment information. Formative use of assessment is embedded throughout the course and is a principle which we would expect you to adopt in your own teaching. You will be supported to become familiar with self- and peer-assessment approaches and to make effective use of feedback on both academic and practice-based aspects of the course, to identify targets for your ongoing development and plan actions to address them. The passing of all four units will mean the course will recommend you to the TRA for QTS. In exceptional circumstances, approved by the head of school, it may be possible for recommendation for QTS to be made without completion of all four units. This option is not an automatic entitlement. Engagement with published research is a fundamental aspect of the course and you will be supported in developing skills of critical analysis of the literature. Rigorous attention to referencing conventions is, therefore, essential and you will be required to adopt the Harvard system. You will be supported in developing your understanding of plagiarism and in the use of Turnitin as a means of ensuring that referencing requirements are satisfied. The Teachers Standards 2012 publication is available at https://www.education.gov.uk/publications/standard/publicationDetail/Page1/DFE-00066-2011 (accessed 05/08/18)
Why the School of Teacher Education?
- 100% satisfaction with Physical Education (Secondary) NSS 2021
-
Professional expertise in all 4 phases of Teacher Education
PGCE Entry Requirements
- Normally a 2:2 honours degree or equivalent in the subject for which you are applying to teach or a degree of which at least 50% is in that subject
- A levels in the subject and/or related subjects are desirable
- A standard equivalent to a grade 4 (or GCSE A to C) in the GCSE examinations in English and mathematics.
- To have IELTS with an average score of at least 6.0 if your first language is not English and you do not have GCSE grade C in English
- Meet all safeguarding requirements including an enhanced Disclosure and Barring Services (DBS) check, Fitness to Practice, Suitability to Train to Teach, and all other safeguarding checks required at the time of application
How will this course improve my career prospects?
On graduating, you can apply for Qualified Teacher Status (QTS), enabling you to work as a maths teacher in a secondary education setting. Many of our graduates go on to rewarding employment in local schools.
As well as Qualified Teacher Status (QTS), completing the course also offers you up to 60 Master's-level credits with opportunities for further study at MA/MSc, MPhil, PhD and EdD levels.
Fees and funding
You can apply for a loan from the Government to help pay for PGCE tuition fees.
See www.gov.uk/student-finance
A limited number of bursaries are available for Primary PGCE courses.
See www.gov.uk/teacher-training-funding
Alternatively if you have any questions around fees and funding, please email admission@beds.ac.uk
Scholarship Available
The University of Bedfordshire is proud of its alumni and is delighted to offer a tuition fee discount for those who choose to continue or return to the University for on campus Postgraduate level studies.
We offer a 20% discount on full and part-time Masters courses to those who were successful in completing an Honours Degree with the University of Bedfordshire, DMU’s Bedford campus or the University of Luton.
The PGCE tuition fee for the Academic Year 2021/22 is £12,900. (International students are not eligible for any extra government funding for the PGCE.)
Alternatively if you have any questions around fees and funding, please email admission@beds.ac.uk
Fees and funding
You can apply for a loan from the Government to help pay for PGCE tuition fees.
See www.gov.uk/student-finance
A limited number of bursaries are available for Primary PGCE courses.
See www.gov.uk/teacher-training-funding
Alternatively if you have any questions around fees and funding, please email admission@beds.ac.uk
Scholarship Available
The University of Bedfordshire is proud of its alumni and is delighted to offer a tuition fee discount for those who choose to continue or return to the University for on campus Postgraduate level studies.
We offer a 20% discount on full and part-time Masters courses to those who were successful in completing an Honours Degree with the University of Bedfordshire, DMU’s Bedford campus or the University of Luton.
The PGCE tuition fee for the Academic Year 2021/22 is £12,900. (International students are not eligible for any extra government funding for the PGCE.)
Alternatively if you have any questions around fees and funding, please email admission@beds.ac.uk
Extra costs for this course
You will need to pay for the initial Disclosure and Barring Service check plus an annual update charge.
You need to budget for additional travel costs for your teaching placements during your course.
Extra Costs
Campus Library
The Bedford Campus Library set over four storeys offers students access to our extensive range of physical and digital resources with 300,000+ books & 80,000+ ebooks.
PCs are provided on each level for students to use offering access to a wide range of applications as well as access to group-work areas and presentation-practice rooms and a dedicated silent study floor.
Forest School
The Forest School provides a resource for the University’s trainee teachers to be trained in outdoor learning and for their classes to experience the long term educational benefits of outdoor play.
Sports Facilities
The purposely designed teaching spaces house a range of seminars, lectures and practical sessions providing an excellent teaching space for primary and secondary education.
Campus Theatres
Set within the Campus Centre is a 260 seat professional theatre on the ground floor with industry-standard lighting, media desk, roll-down screen, full backstage comms system and large dressing rooms with en suite showers. On the first floor there's also a well-equipped 80 seat studio theatre.
Our theatres welcome new and existing audiences to see a range of student work including contemporary dance, theatre and performing arts; holding regular events that are open to students, staff and the wider community.
BedsSU - The Hub
The Hub is home to BedsSU providing a great space for socialising with friends, catching up on some coursework or taking a well-deserved break.
The Hub is the place to go to take a break from your studies, play table tennis, socialise and watch live sport on the big screen.By night the venue becomes the place to be, with a variety of student events such as pub quizzes, live music and various themed club nights. Evening food includes delicious freshly made pizzas as well as a range of other beverages and snacks.
How to Apply
UK students applying for this postgraduate degree at the University of Bedfordshire should apply via GOV.UK - Department for Education
European students applying for a full-time postgraduate degree at the University of Bedfordshire should apply direct using our admissions form or via our representatives in your home country
You can also apply online
International students applying for a full-time postgraduate degree at the University of Bedfordshire should apply direct using our admissions form or via our representatives in your home country
You can also apply online
Find out more about how to apply as an International student
How to Apply
UK students applying for this postgraduate degree at the University of Bedfordshire should apply via GOV.UK - Department for Education
European students applying for a full-time postgraduate degree at the University of Bedfordshire should apply direct using our admissions form or via our representatives in your home country
You can also apply online
International students applying for a full-time postgraduate degree at the University of Bedfordshire should apply direct using our admissions form or via our representatives in your home country
You can also apply online
Find out more about how to apply as an International student
