PGCE Secondary Information and Communications Technology

Gives you the opportunity to engage and challenge learners and maximise their ICT capability so they know when, where and how to use different ICT tools to solve problems and support their learning.

ICT holds a central position within the National Curriculum both as a subject and a cross curricular dimension. This reflects the importance of ICT which permeates all aspects of life – education, work, leisure and life at home.

This one-year programme provides an exciting opportunity to qualify to teach ICT to the 11-16 age range in secondary school. The second university phase will also support you in developing your understanding of planning, teaching and assessing the post-16 age phase.

Why study PGCE Secondary Information and Communications Technology?

As there is a nationally recognised shortage of ICT teachers, the employment prospects and longer term opportunities for promotion within the teaching profession are excellent.

Course structure

This programme of study provides a carefully structured balance of University and school based phases. The core of the programmes is the Professional Studies component, based both in university and in schools. This offers a mix of experiences and it positions you in the broader context of professional practice and considers key issues which take you beyond the confines of the traditional curriculum. All professional studies themes are developed further in the subject specialist context which develops your knowledge, skills and understanding of ICT to enable you to effectively manage and organise high quality teaching and learning in the 11-16 phase across the full range of ability.

The PGCE year starts with an initial preparatory period which tackles the notion of the role of the teaching professional with an emphasis on the ICT practitioner. Through both Professional Studies and subject teaching modules you begin to develop an understanding of the breadth of the role of the teacher as well as becoming familiar with the approaches used in different secondary school settings for ICT. This supports you in your first school phase during which you teach ICT mainly at Key Stage 3 and Key Stage 4. This takes place in the autumn term. This is followed by a university phase reviewing and sharing your experiences and developing your understanding of further aspects of teaching and learning and the post-16 phase. The final school phase takes place in the spring and summer terms.

Course assessment

A personalised process of continuous assessment ensures that learning is appropriate and effective. Assessment takes account of both the programme experience and the school or setting and includes researching developing practice through assignment tasks.  Support is provided to develop a rigorous evidence-based account of your educational journey.

Assessment in all of the PGCE programmes is designed to be progressive and to assist you in the provision of evidence to support your achievement against the Standards for QTS.

PGCE programmes are assessed in University, school or other settings. The evidence base includes:

• Formally assessed assignments
• Professional dialogue in progress reviews
• The Professional Learning and Practice portfolio
• School phase reports and observations
• Professional development activities
• Subject knowledge tests and tasks (where appropriate)

PGCE programmes are taught by highly qualified and experienced staff both in University and in partner schools or other settings. Teaching accommodation is located on the Newton Park campus, the Culverhay and Southdown sites and in several partner schools.

University teaching takes place in rooms equipped with relevant texts, equipment, training materials and electronic resources. Open access computer facilities are available. The University’s Virtual Learning Environment (Minerva) provides remote access to a wide range of resources.

Set texts are recommended for readings.

The Library holds a wide collection of teaching and learning resources. 

Teaching methods

Learning and teaching in PGCE programmes takes place through a combination of the following methods:

• tutorials at key points across the year
• lectures, seminars and workshops
• group activities: presentation; group discussion; role play and collaborative working
• independent learning
• peer support
• developing professional learning and practice in schools and settings
• blended learning employing electronic resources, including the University’s Virtual Learning Environment (Minerva)
• observation of teachers’ including other Bath Spa Teachers’ practice
• professional development activities undertaken in University and school or other settings.

Course enquiries

Entry requirements

In addition to the General Entry Requirements, you are required to have a 2.2 honours degree or above, with at least 50% ICT content. We also welcome applications from candidates whose first degree is not in an ICT related discipline, but who have high level, sustained work experience of ICT and experience with pupils in the appropriate age range.

Career opportunities

All PGCE courses culminate in Qualified Teacher Status (QTS).  This enables qualified BST to apply for a wider range of teaching posts and other education based employment. ICT is a nationally recognised shortage subject.

What students say...

After completing my degree I worked in industry, before deciding to get some experience helping at the local school, observing and helping out in the classroom. Seeing how the school worked and how the pupils learn was very rewarding so I decided to do a PGCE. I chose Bath Spa as it was within a commutable distance, and has an excellent campus. I enjoyed the hands on approach to the teaching and the support that was given by both university and school mentors. There were always chances for professional development and the peer support within the group was invaluable.

Christopher Bargh, PGCE Secondary ICT.