| Student type | Fees to pay |
|---|---|
| UK students | £9,259 |
| International students | £13,840 |
Odyssey Learning Alliance Primary (2H45)
PGCE with QTS full time
- Accredited body
- The University of Gloucestershire
- Financial support
- Student finance if you’re eligible
- Qualification
-
PGCE with QTS
A postgraduate certificate in education (PGCE) with qualified teacher status (QTS) will allow you to teach in state schools in England and may allow you to teach in other parts of the UK.
It may also allow you to teach overseas, though you should always check what qualifications are needed in the country you’d like to teach in.
Many PGCE courses include credits that count toward a Master’s degree.
- Age range
- 3 to 11
- Course length
- 1 year
- Date you can apply from
- 12 October 2021
- Date course starts
- September 2022
- Website
- http://www.odysseyla.org
Apply
Courses are currently closed but you can still start or continue an application anyway.
You’ll be able to:
- find courses starting in the 2023 to 2024 academic year from 9am on 4 October 2022
- submit your application from 9am on 11 October 2022
Contents
- Course summary
- School placements
- Entry requirements
- About the training provider
- Fees and financial support
- Interview process
- International candidates
- Training with disabilities and other needs
- Contact this training provider
- Support and advice
Course summary
Our programme has 3 phases:
Developing Developing covers induction and parent placement 1. Trainees spend three days at university for induction followed by around four weeks in school gaining experience of ‘life in school’ in an allocated EYFS/KS1 or KS1/KS2 class (supported by the class teacher and a mentor). Around October half-term, the assessed teaching time begins, gradually increasing to approximately 65-70% of the teaching responsibility. In addition, trainees explore aspects of pedagogy with their mentors who continue to support their learning and offer support and guidance on a weekly basis.
Broadening Broadening covers the twin placement, taking place between Christmas and Easter. This gives trainees the opportunity to broaden their practice in a contrasting demographic of school and different key stage e.g. if a trainee selected the KS1/KS2 route and they did KS1 for first placement, they’ll now do KS2 for the second placement. The assessed placement starts sooner, with assessed teaching time increasing. Trainees will be encouraged to try new approaches and to be more creative as they look to broaden their learning from Developing.
Enhancing Enhancing covers parent placement 2, from Easter to June. Trainees return to a familiar environment with the opportunity to really progress and enhance their practice. The placement aims to give a better understanding of the big picture, with longer term planning and use of a variety of assessment techniques. Assessed teaching time increases further.
University Professional Studies Sessions take place a day a week (outside of assessed placements) with university tutors and other trainees. These lectures focus on exploring current issues in primary education, developing practical teaching strategies and subject expertise for teaching.
Odyssey Professional Studies Trainees attend ‘Odyssey Professional Studies’ with all Odyssey trainees that cover behaviour management, curriculum, pedagogy and professional development. These sessions revisit concepts introduced in university p / school mentor sessions and provide some opportunities for unique and beneficial cross phase working with secondary colleagues. Additional sessions and opportunities may be introduced throughout the year.
Assessment Trainees complete two PGCE assignments, supported by school-based training managers and mentors, and university tutors. The programme leads to a PGCE awarded by the University of Gloucestershire, with 60 Master’s level credits. All elements of the course must be completed satisfactorily. School placements are jointly assessed by staff within schools and university link tutors, through observation of teaching and scrutiny of other evidence.
School placements
All trainees will undertake placements in 2 schools following a ‘parent/twin/parent’ structure. Trainees are placed in a “parent” school from October to December, a contrasting “twin” school from January to March and return to the “parent” school from April to June. Placements are 9-10 weeks in length.
Each school has a training manager, responsible for overseeing all the trainees within the school, and trainees are allocated class teacher and a mentor, who will see them most days and meet with them individually once a week to review their training and plan next steps.
Our partner schools are: Badsey First School (Badsey, Evesham) Bishops Cleeve Primary Academy (Bishops Cleeve, Cheltenham) Glenfall Community Primary School (Cheltenham) Great Oldbury Primary Academy (Stonehouse, Stroud) Linden Primary School (Gloucester) Longford Park Primary Academy (Gloucester) Rowanfield Infant School (Cheltenham) Rowanfield Junior School (Cheltenham) Springbank Primary Academy (Cheltenham) Tredington Community Primary School (Tewkesbury)
Placements are arranged in discussion with trainees, depending on key stage preference, home location etc. We cannot guarantee any particular school placement, however we are always keen to work with trainees to find the right school for them.
Entry requirements
Qualifications needed
An undergraduate degree at class 2:2 or above, or equivalent.
Grade 4 (C) or above in English, maths and science, or equivalent qualification.
We’ll consider candidates with pending GCSEs.
We’ll consider candidates who need to take a GCSE equivalency test in English, maths or science.
Personal qualities
We know that outstanding teachers come from many different backgrounds and have a range of prior experiences. We welcome applications from trainees from all walks of life and recognise the different qualities and skills that they can potentially bring to the profession. Passion, resilience and a willingness to reflect and learn as a professional are however key.
Other requirements
All trainees will be subject to an enhanced DBS check prior to the start of the course. Trainees with less prior experience in school may also be required to undertake a short period of work experience.
Fees and financial support
About the training provider
Why chose to train with Odyssey?
An opportunity to train in an Alliance led by Pate’s Grammar School - a school rated Outstanding by Ofsted in every category and awarded the title Sunday Times School of the Year 2020. Our exam results consistently place us in the top 10 state schools nationally.
- Our professional studies programme offers a unique opportunity to work cross phase to gain an understanding of the full learning journey from 3 - 19.
- We have an excellent employment track record.
- At secondary level, an opportunity to train equally in both the grammar and comprehensive sectors, with four schools proudly working collaboratively to develop and train staff to the highest standards. An opportunity to work with most able and academic students through 11 – 18. Alongside fantastic opportunities to get involved with wider school life; Pate’s, Barnwood Park, Sir Thomas Rich’s and Tewkesbury all have vibrant, thriving extra-curricular programmes. You will receive a GITEP PGCE awarded by the University of Bristol.
- At primary level, a unique opportunity to train in an alliance of strong Gloucestershire based primary schools – all recognised for their exceptional staff development, who share a rich history and commitment in employing School Direct trainees over the last 6 years. You will receive all the benefits of the University of Gloucestershire Course (including the PGCE accreditation), however spending more time in school learning ‘on the job’.
Together, we are able to offer an unrivalled opportunity to start a career in teaching.
About the accredited body
With sustainability at its core, The University of Gloucestershire cares about the future of its students and the future of the planet. Priding itself on small classes and the personal approach of tutors and support teams, the University focuses on professional, pedagogical and subject development to support and prepare trainees for teaching placements.
Interview process
All interviews are held in Alliance schools. You will be invited to interview at one of our partner schools to be interviewed by serving Senior Leaders. At the interview we will explore the reasons behind your desire to teach and also your suitability for the course. We will ask you to either prepare a presentation, or to deliver a short lesson to a group of children. (Details will be provided in advance).
International candidates
You’ll need the right to study in the UK. You already have this if, for example, you:
- are an Irish citizen
- have settled or pre-settled status under the EU Settlement Scheme (you may still be able to apply)
- have indefinite leave to remain in the UK
If you do not already have the right to study in the UK, you may need to apply for a visa. The main visa for fee-paying courses (those that you have to pay for) is the Student visa.
To apply for a Student visa, you’ll need to be sponsored by your training provider.
Sponsorship is not available for this course.
If you need a visa, filter your course search to find courses with visa sponsorship.
Alternatively, check if you’re eligible for a different type of visa, such as a Graduate or Family visa, that allows you to train to be a teacher without being sponsored.
Find out more about training to teach in England.
International qualifications
If your qualifications come from a non-UK institution, we may want to see a ‘statement of comparability’ from UK ENIC. This will show us how they compare to UK qualifications.
You can call Get Into Teaching on 0800 389 2500 for:
- guidance on the UK equivalents of your qualifications
- a free statement of comparability once you’ve submitted your application (if we ask you for this)
Training with disabilities and other needs
As an alliance we take great pride in knowing and supporting our trainees personally. Our trainees come from a variety of backgrounds, and we are committed to enabling access to the profession for all. Please contact us if you would like to better understand how we may be able to support any access requirements that you have.
Trainees receive excellent support from mentors and training managers in schools, as well as their subject leader. Liaison between schools and Odyssey is very strong and we are used to making reasonable adjustments to help trainees, both short term and over the whole course.
All GITEP PGCE trainees are registered as students with the University of Bristol, and this gives access to the full range of student services offered by the University. This includes support with academic assignments for trainees with dyslexia and all the University counselling and student support services. Trainees with disabilities and other needs are strongly encouraged to register with the University Library Support service.
Contact this training provider
- admin@odysseyla.org
- Telephone
- 01242 538276
- Website
- http://www.odysseyla.org
- Address
-
Pate's Grammar School
Princess Elizabeth Way
Cheltenham
Gloucestershire
GL51 0HG
Support and advice
For support and advice, you can speak to a teacher training adviser for free. They’re all experienced teachers who can help you to prepare your application, book school experience, and access exclusive teaching events.
You can also call Get Into Teaching free of charge on 0800 389 2500, or chat online Monday to Friday, 8.30am to 5.30pm (except public holidays).
Find out about the different ways to train if you do not have a degree, or are already an experienced teacher.
If there is something wrong with this course listing, contact us by email.
Apply
Courses are currently closed but you can still start or continue an application anyway.
You’ll be able to:
- find courses starting in the 2023 to 2024 academic year from 9am on 4 October 2022
- submit your application from 9am on 11 October 2022