Teacher Education

FAQs: PGCE with QTS courses in 2020/21

Is the PGCE course still starting in early September?

The start date remains unchanged and is 1 September 2020.

Will I have to attend registration on campus?

Registration will be carried out virtually.

Will the University teaching be online?

We anticipate that lectures will be delivered online, but small group seminars and workshops will be delivered face-to-face where possible. Whether the course is online or face-to-face, you'll always have ongoing personalised support from your Academic Tutor, both for your wellbeing and progress. This will include regular 1:1 tutorials.

Will I be able to go into schools to complete my placements?

We're planning for you to undertake placements in schools, subject to guidance from the Department for Education (DfE).

If placement days are limited, am I still able to achieve QTS?

Yes; the programme is structured to provide a range of high quality training experiences, both in university and in school, that will support you in making continued progress to achieve QTS.

Will I teach the children online?

An element of the course will focus on developing your skills in how to teach pupils virtually. There may be opportunity to teach online at some stage of the course.

If I complete a DBS and the programme doesn't start, will my £45 DBS fee be refunded?

We fully expect our courses to start as planned on 1 September. As obtaining a DBS is a condition of registration, we strongly advise you to apply for your DBS as soon as possible. However, the Covid-19 situation is fast moving and we will have to be led by Government and DfE advice. Any changes will be communicated to you as soon as they are known.

Can I delay my DBS and Fitness to Train to Teach until later in the summer?

You'll need both of these in place before you start the programme on 1 September and they can take several months to process, therefore we strongly recommend that you complete them as soon as possible.

Am I able to defer my place until next year?

This is not possible, but if you're unable to begin on 1 September, you're welcome to reapply next year.

This information is up to date as of 3 June 2020. Please note that it may be subject to change due to updated government guidance.

Thinking of applying?

Despite the current situation around COVID-19, we're still accepting applications for our PGCE programmes and conducting interviews. Further information on How to Apply is also available.

We believe that education plays a key role in promoting social justice and reducing social inequalities, and that well qualified and highly skilled teachers make a difference to the lives and futures of the learners they teach.

We focus on four key principles

Collaboration
Critical thinking
Creativity
Care

These principles form the foundation of our practice and partnership and are interwoven through all aspect of our curriculum. They are partly what make the Bath Spa University Partnership a unique and special place to train - forming part of our ‘Bath Spa Teacher’ (BST) identity.

We believe that children and young people are entitled to the highest quality learning experiences, from the highest quality teachers, that will ensure good progress and positive outcomes in their learning and wellbeing. To achieve this we have developed a curriculum, both school and centre based, that will prepare our BSTs to be highly competent and confident.

As BSTs, you will embrace the professional qualities and attributes that are necessary for a successful outcome. From the start of your training, you will be expected to have a positive impact on the learning and progress, no matter who you teach.

Ofsted 'Outstanding'

The quality regulator, Ofsted, awarded the Bath Spa School of Education the highest possible grade - "Outstanding" - across all routes, for the overall effectiveness of our primary and secondary teacher education provision.

Ofsted results

Become a Bath Spa teacher

We believe that to become a Bath Spa Teacher, you must recognise your professional responsibilities, as well as the impact you'll have on the lives of children and young people. From the start of your training programme, we expect you to make a positive contribution to children and young peoples’ learning and progress.

Our Teacher Education partnership

Our partnership is committed to the successful learning and progress of all children and young people.

As a trainee within our Teacher Education partnership, you'll undergo rigorous training that ensures children progress, and paves the way to your future success as a teacher.

"The training blends theory, up-to-date research and practice very well. Centre-based training, assignments and related tasks enhance and deepen trainees’ subject knowledge and their understanding of how young children learn and develop."
Ofsted Inspection 2015/16 (Rated Outstanding)