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Subject Knowledge Enhancement Courses
Pre-Initial Teacher Education subject knowledge enhancement courses are designed for graduates who need to develop a greater depth of subject understanding prior to commencing a PGCE programme.
These courses are ideal for graduates who are interested in teaching a secondary priority subject but who may not necessarily have a degree in that subject. They vary in length depending on the subject and run prior to the Initial Teacher Education programme.
The subjects available are:
- Mathematics
- Modern Languages
- Physics
Course Structure and Content
The subject knowledge enhancement courses will aim to achieve the following objectives:
- Prepare you for the PGCE programme through highlighting issues of relevance to teaching and learning in your chosen subject.
- Inspire passion for the subject including all aspects of local, national and global developments within it.
- Develop a deep understanding of the knowledge, concepts and skills associated with your chosen subject.
- Model imaginative and creative approaches to teaching and learning, and excellent practice in assessment.
- Prepare you to teach your chosen subject up to Key Stage 4 (11 -16 year olds). The intention for the majority of subjects is that you would have the potential to teach up to A-level.
Teaching and learning will include a range of methods to enhance your knowledge and understanding including tutorials, practical tasks, essays, investigations, collaborative projects and presentations. In addition, there may be opportunities for school visits, fieldwork, trips and visits to help place your subject in a wider context.
Mathematics
- Full-time course commencing in January 2012 for 28 weeks.
- Teaching will comprise of up to 4 days taught sessions and directed task and at least 1 day of self-study.
- Modules include Algebra, Calculus, Discrete Maths, Geometry and Trigonometry, Mathematical Thinking, Mechanics and Statistics.
Modern Languages
- Full-time course commencing in August 2012 for 2 weeks.
- Course modules are intended to enable you to enhance your second teaching language and refresh your first teaching language in order for you to proceed confidently onto your chosen ITE route.
Physics
- Full-time course commencing in January 2012 for 28 weeks.
- Four days of taught sessions and one day of self-study to complete directed tasks.
- A strong emphasis on practical work
- Modules include Mechanics & Materials, Waves, Fields, Electricity & Electromagnetism, Particle Physics, Nuclear Physics, Solar System & Cosmology, Thermal Physics, Quantum Physics & Special Relativity.
Entry Requirements
- You should demonstrate a passion for your chosen subject and a real desire to teach it at secondary level.
- You must have been offered a conditional place on an ITE programme, and therefore met the standard PGCE entry requirements for your intended route.
- It is desirable to have experience of the subject to at least A-level standard, and this could be through holding an A-level in the subject, having an element of it in your degree course and/or occupational experience of the subject.
- GCSE English and Maths at grade C or above (or recognised equivalents).
An ITE provider may refer an applicant to an enhancement course where either the applicant does not have a degree that contains more than 50% in the subject or where they consider the student’s subject knowledge is weak and offers no specialism.
Student Profiles
I didn’t enjoy maths in school at all, and then I started tutoring it part-time and really loved it. It made me think ‘why wasn’t I taught like this’? I then decided that I wanted to teach Maths and the MEC at Bath Spa University was recommended to me. It’s really consolidated my maths skills and made me feel much more confident. I‘ve really enjoyed meeting everyone on the course and the support I’ve received during the course has been brilliant. If anyone is considering the MEC my advice would be to ensure that you keep your folders in order right from the beginning and also don’t be afraid to ask for help.
Genni Pierce-Butler, Maths Enhancement Course 2011
I’ve always had a strong interest in teaching and I love the logical and creative side of maths. I chose to do the MEC at Bath Spa University as it was the nearest institution that provided the course. I really enjoyed the chance to experiment and discover maths and the strong emphasis on mathematical thinking - the ‘why’ rather than the ‘what’. The course gave me a fantastic grounding in maths, before this I had reached A-level, but much of it was a rather fuzzy memory. I have found that to do the GTP, I needed to have really secure subject knowledge so that I could concentrate on the teaching, assessment, classroom management etc. The understanding that is the foundations of maths have been invaluable when communicating concepts to students. I would advise anyone considering the MEC to be prepared to work hard, to support one another and to have a real journey of discovery.
Niall McNair, Maths Enhancement Course 2009
I am told there is a desperate shortage of Physics teachers, and after 30 years as an Army Engineer, mainly working in management, I felt it was a good time for a second career. The course has helped me prepare for the PGCE and I think I will be more confident with the first individual teaching practices, which start in October. I thoroughly recommend the course and have particularly enjoyed mixing with the IT literate generation. Also, there have been one or two changes to the syllabus over the last 30 years e.g. cosmology and it has been a pleasant surprise to feel school physics repopulating my brain after 35 years!
Andy Edington, Physics Enhancement Course 2010
I enjoyed physics when I was at school so I decided to train to teach it. It also enabled me to be more employable given that it’s a shortage subject. I particularly enjoyed the variety of different sessions on the PEC and the practical investigation activities. The PEC has enabled me to complete my PGCE in Physics and then be employed as a Physics teacher at my school. I have set up the A-level Physics course on my own as there wasn’t another Physics teacher. I am currently the Head of Physics and second in the Department of Science. Without this course, I doubt I would be where I am today. I would advise anyone considering the PEC to be prepared to work hard, ensure you understand everything as you go along and keep your notes!
Laura Edwards, Physics Enhancement Course 2007
I chose this course at Bath Spa as it was recommended to me and it also seemed to be well run. It was great to meet the other students and share the experiences with them before starting the PGCE. The course really helped improve my subject knowledge and I was also able to build targets to improve it further.
Samantha Davis, Modern Languages Enhancement Course 2009