Course summary

Remember the first time you looked at cells under the microscope? Or how you unravelled the process of photosynthesis? Bring that enthusiasm into your own classroom as a secondary school biology teacher. During our PGCE Secondary Science (Biology), you’ll study the latest teaching theory and how to apply this in practice. Find out how to spark your pupils’ curiosity about the world around them while building their practical and analytical skills. You’ll develop in-depth subject knowledge in your specialism of biology. We’ll also make sure you’re prepared to support with teaching chemistry and physics, especially at key stage 3. Throughout the course, we’ll encourage you to reflect on your learning to help you become the best biology teacher you can be. Boost your skills in lesson planning, managing the classroom, teaching methods, and more. Then put what you’ve learnt into practice in a real classroom. During your 26 weeks on placement, you’ll plan, teach and assess biology lessons with support from your school-based mentor. We’ll be there for you every step of the way as you work towards taking the lead in the classroom. Turn to your Personal Tutor whenever you need advice or help overcoming hurdles. Successful completion of the programme leads to recommendation for Qualified Teacher Status (QTS). What you'll study During this PGCE, you’ll work towards becoming a biology specialist who can deliver all three sciences at Key Stage 3 and 4. You’ll cover essential educational theory while developing your specialist subject knowledge. Strengthen your understanding of innovative teaching and assessment methods including experiments and investigative work, group discussions, role play, project work, presentations and examinations. We’ll also unpack health and safety requirements and strategies for maintaining a high quality laboratory – so you can show pupils how to complete practical experiments safely. We’ll prepare you for a future in teaching secondary biology. Learn how to plan lessons in line with the curriculum. Master teaching techniques to give pupils the knowledge they need. Become confident running practical experiments safely. Apply everything you’ve learnt to a placement in a secondary school setting. Here you’ll be able to get hands-on experience by supporting and observing teachers. With help from your subject tutor and school-based mentor, you’ll combine what you learn on campus with practical teaching experiences. Intensive Training and Practice You will also undertake Intensive Training and Practice (ITAP) as a specific and focused element of our teacher training curriculum. This is designed to consolidate your knowledge of effective teaching, and enable you to rehearse and obtain feedback from experts on your practice. Our ITAPs are designed to utilise the latest research and technology as well as draw on the outstanding mentors, tutors, and teacher expertise from across our partnership. Over the course of your training, you will have the opportunity to participate in several days of Intensive Practice focusing on aspects of pivotal practice such as; behaviour management, scaffolding, professional behaviours and questioning. During periods of ITAP, your timetable may differ and you may be required to attend campus and/or a placement on days outside of the usual pattern. Lead Mentors The Edge Hill lead mentors and mentor leadership team play an important part in your teacher training as experts in their field. They have a deep knowledge of the trainee curriculum and support trainees and mentors to make progress providing guidance and support on aspects of the curriculum and assessment.