PGCE Secondary Science with Physics
Become a physics teacher in a secondary school.
Qualified Teacher Status (QTS)
Entry requirements
A degree at 2:2 or above.
GCSE English and Mathematics at grade 4 or grade C or above (or an equivalent qualification).
Experience of working with young people.
See also:
Course Summary
Do you want to become an outstanding physics teacher? Our specialist PGCE in Secondary Science with Physics is a direct route to a career that helps pupils to make sense of the of how the world around us works. Physics gives us powerful tools to help us to express our creativity, to see the world in new ways and then to change it. This course develops a range of teaching styles appropriate to the delivery of the Sciences specialising in physics within the National Curriculum and GCSE/A Level specifications. These include conceptual understanding and progressions in learning, purposeful practical work, sequenced learning steps and links to different sectors of Physics industry.
You'll be taught by a great team, our trainees scored us 92% student satisfaction for postgraduate teacher training, this puts us in the top 25% quartile of all providers in England (Postgraduate Taught Experience Survey, 2020).
The aim of this PGCE Secondary Science with Physics is to prepare trainee teachers for a first appointment as a teacher of Sceince in a secondary school and assess current developments in the subject and their possible effect on teaching in schools. To develop as a teacher, you will be learning about how to instil in pupils a sense of intrigue and enable students to develop understanding and form questions based both on the knowledge they already have and the insight they wish to gain in the futures. The subject combines practical skills with theoretical ideas and the opportunity to explore the phenomena of the universe and to look at theories that explain what is observed. Furthermore, our PGCE Secondary Science with Physics trainees can take up ‘enhancements’ linked to other curriculum subjects or areas e.g. PSHE or Special Education Needs and Diversity.
Teaching physics means helping pupils learn how to solve problems and think critically, skills which make a difference to your pupils both inside the classroom and in their wider lives. Furthermore, our PGCE Secondary Science with Physics trainees can take up ‘enhancements’ linked to other curriculum subjects or areas e.g. PSHE or Special Education Needs and Diversity.
Why this course at Marjon?
Our tutors are engaged in hard hitting research ensuring our trainees learn the very best practice teaching methods.
Our trainees scored us 92% student satisfaction for postgraduate teacher training, this puts us in the top 25% quartile of all providers in England (Postgraduate Taught Experience Survey 2020).
Our Teacher Education Partnership is a well-established partnership between the University and schools in the South West, London and Service Children’s Education.
This course is perfect if you're curious about
How can I help pupils direct their own learning to become curious about the world around them?
How can I promote a love of learning in my pupils and a passion for sciences?
How can I make teaching make science come to life in the lab or through field work?
How can I make links between Physics and career opportunities to raise my pupil's aspirations?
Which resources will best help my pupils develop a deep understanding of Physics concepts?
How do I best prepare for applying for teaching jobs?
“ The trainees I observed and met were fully prepared for the demands of teaching and it was evident that they have appreciated and benefited from the emphasis Marjon places on trainees’ well-being and the good practice from the University regarding this.”
What might you become?
Plymouth Marjon University is widely renowned for producing excellent teachers. We have superb links with partnership schools throughout the South West, London and overseas.
- Our school partnerships, so wide and diverse, were praised by Ofsted (2014) for 'effective use of local diversity and wider links which ensures trainees have breadth and variety in their training, so making them highly employable’.
- 93.9 % of our graduates are in further study, sustained employment or both five years after graduating, compared to a sector average for England of 88.2%. We are 1st in the South West and 6th in England (LEO, 2019).
Modules for this course
Course Snapshot
“ The PGCE spiral curriculum based around a synergy between practice, policy and research, a weekly topic is explored though wider professional lens, independent research and specific subject studies where the subject pathways focus on theoretical and professional practice relating to that subject.”
Modules
1st Year
Professional practice in schools
Learning behaviours in context
Becoming a teacher: A reflective journey
Inclusion in the secondary classroom: Maximising achievement
Understanding the learner: Assessment and progress
Fees and funding
Fees UK students: £9,250
Fees for International students: £12,000
Funding available for this course
Trainees starting this course in September 2021 may be eligible for a training bursary.
Teaching and assessment
How will you be taught?
Collaborative learning, critical reflection and a strong culture of support underpin PGCE Secondary Science with Physics, and trainees will enjoy a stimulating and effective learning environment from start to finish.
You will have a minimum of 120 days in school in 2 block placements and 12 weeks in University undertaking a range of activities. Teaching includes lectures, seminars, workshops, conferences, tutorials, independent study or research and school based training. Opportunities to be part of seminar and workshops add depth to your experience.
How will you be assessed?
Assessment relates to your development of practice in school. All are coursework based, you will generate reflective journals, portfolios, essays and presentations.
Course leader
Julie Stevens
Julie taught in secondary schools in Devon, Cornwall, and Sussex, and worked for the LEA education department before joining Marjon. She leads secondary provision for undergraduate and post graduate routes into teaching. Julie is still involved with the school sector as Governor and is a member of the National UCET Secondary committee for Initial Teacher Education.
View full profileLecturers
Jonathan’s career as a history teacher has spanned over 25 years, working in secondary schools in Sussex, Suffolk and Cornwall. Previously, he has worked for Cornwall LEA as an Advanced Skills Teacher, supporting history departments, NQTs and recent entrants to the teaching profession across the county. He is a Teacher Fellow of the Historical Association.
Jodie teaches on our teacher training courses, specialising in primary science as well as supporting students on placement. She also supporting primary colleagues across the city through her work with Plymouth Science.
Claire is an experienced secondary teacher and lecturer with a passion for literature of all kinds. From Shakespearean tragedy to the powerful performance poetry of Kate Tempest, Claire’s fervent enthusiasm for the infinite varieties of English pervades every aspect of the English degree. She is particularly interested in poetry, identity, language and social place and is currently completing her PhD here at Marjon. It focuses on the formation and evolution of trainee and early career teachers' professional identities.
Linda is a biochemist with over thirty years’ experience of in research and deployments of new technologies.
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