Goldsmiths, University of London Primary with Mathematics (2M3G)

Postgraduate certificate in education (PGCE) with qualified teacher status (QTS)

• 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: 5 to 11
• Course length: 1 year - full time
• Date you can apply from: 11 October 2022
• Date course starts: September 2023
• Website: https://www.gold.ac.uk/pgce/

Contents

Course summary

The Primary PGCE (QTS) programme at Goldsmiths with a Mathematics specialism is comprised of three modules that have been designed to support you in becoming a reflective, inclusive, creative and engaged practitioner. In addition to developing confidence and competence across the curriculum, you will also be supported to develop your skills as a teacher and leader of mathematics.

The modules that form the programme are:

• Studies and Professional Issues in Research in Education (SPIRE)
• Curriculum Studies (Maths)
• School Experience

The SPIRE module focuses specifically upon issues that most impact upon the young person’s experience of education in the 21st Century. In SPIRE sessions you will be asked to consider a range of issues relating to diversity and inclusion, engage with research and policy and link all of this to your own experience in the classroom.

As a Primary with Mathematics specialist, the Curriculum Studies module will give you the chance to focus on the place of Maths across the Primary School. In this module you will consider the most relevant and effective approaches for teaching maths and, with the support of expert colleagues, will carry out research on an aspect Maths in Action that interests you during your school experience.

All student teachers will spend a minimum of 120 days in a school, divided into two block school experiences. During your placement, you will have an opportunity to practice and apply the knowledge and skills that we have addressed during university sessions in the age phase/s you have chosen to focus upon.

You will spend one-third of the programme at University. In this time you will have a mix of lectures and small group seminars to support you in developing a strong and confident knowledge of all of the subjects you will be teaching in the primary classroom. Underpinning the programme is the Professional Studies course which is designed to prepare you fully for the wider roles and responsibilities of the teacher.

The programme is taught and assessed at master’s level. In addition to the award of QTS, if you pass all academic elements of the programme at an appropriate level, you will graduate with 60 master’s level credits which are equivalent to one-third of a master’s degree. Full academic support is provided to ensure you are fully prepared for assessment regardless of your prior experiences.

PGCE Primary with Mathematics

School placements

The Primary PGCE Programme Primary with Maths at Goldsmiths offers you the opportunity to specialise in one of two age phases. These are:

• 5-11 (with placement in Key Stages 1 and 2)
• 7-11 (with placements in Upper and Lower Key Stage 2).

You will be asked at interview to select the age phase you are most interested in working with.

We work with a partnership of over 300 schools across London and beyond. This means that during your time on the PGCE (QTS) programme you will have the opportunity to work in contrasting schools and settings which will provide breadth to your understanding of the role of the teacher.

You will have two extended placements during your programme during the Autumn and Summer terms. Placements are allocated for you once you have enrolled on the programme. In placing you we consider the needs of students with e.g., disabilities, care responsibilities or personal circumstances and we will locate a school for you that is within a reasonable travelling distance from your home in the light of this.

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.

We accept equivalency tests, please contact Goldsmiths directly to confirm if the test you are planning to take is acceptable. GCSE equivalencies

Personal qualities

We are looking for applicants that have an understanding of the nature of working in an urban setting and have a clear commitment and enthusiasm for working with children.

You must be able to show resilience and be willing to work with others.

Other requirements

You do not need to have extensive school experience before applying but we ask that you spend a minimum of 5 days in a primary school prior to starting the programme to ensure that you are fully aware that the profession is right for you.

You will also need to fulfil our Fitness to Train requirements

Fees and financial support

The course fees for UK students in 2023 to 2024 are £9,250.

Financial support from the training provider

Scholarships and Bursaries

About the training provider

Goldsmiths has been educating teachers since 1904, and is renowned as a leader in the field of teacher education. The partnership you will be joining as you become a student teacher at Goldsmiths has a reputation for supporting the development of exceptional teachers for world class schools. In the most recent Ofsted report it recognised the contribution we make stating:

“Trainees rise to the high expectations that leaders have of them. Partnership schools are unanimous in their praise for Goldsmiths’ trainees and the curriculum that trainees receive.

The ITE curriculum does what leaders intend it to do. Trainees develop the knowledge they need to succeed in their future teaching roles. They learn how to meet the needs of pupils with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND), and those who speak English as an additional language. Trainees become confident managing pupils’ behaviour and develop a strong understanding of their responsibilities in relation to safeguarding and inclusion”

The PGCE (QTS) programme at Goldsmiths has been designed to:

• Promote Reflection: to develop a strong sense of identity that is built upon a close connection between research and experience.
  
• Recognise Inclusivity and Diversity: to be rights respecting and recognise and challenge the political, social, economic and cultural dimensions of practice.
• Celebrate Creativity: to take informed risks and use imaginative and innovative strategies to support learning.
• Develop Confidence and Engagement: to participate fully in steering the course of the profession both locally, nationally and globally.

Interview process

Interviews usually take place at Goldsmiths or online with tutors from the university team and may also involve staff from our partnership schools.

The selection process has several components that are designed to ensure that you have the necessary skills, knowledge and understanding to begin the journey to becoming a teacher. These components may typically include:

• Subject knowledge checks;
• A written English task;
• Group task;
• Individual interviews.

We are not looking for applicants to be the “finished article” at interview but rather our processes will ensure that you are ready to take on the challenges you might face on the PGCE (QTS) programme.

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 for the duration of this course, you may need to apply for a Student visa.

To do this, you’ll need to be sponsored by your training provider.

Before you apply for this course, contact us to check Student visa sponsorship is available. If it is, and you get a place on this course, we’ll help you apply for your visa.

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

The Disability Service can help you to arrange any reasonable adjustments, equipment or support you need to study effectively at Goldsmiths. See the Disability Service web pages for more information. Disability Service

Contact this training provider

• Email: course-info@gold.ac.uk
• Telephone: 020 7078 5300
• Website: https://www.gold.ac.uk/pgce/
• Address: New Cross; Lewisham; London; SE14 6NW

Support and advice

You can speak to a teacher training adviser for free, dedicated advice. They are all experienced teachers who can give you one-to-one support with your application. They can also help you get school experience, and find events where you can speak to training providers and teachers.

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).

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