Course summary

Imagine having the ability to bring history to life for secondary school pupils. History education is not only about passing on historical awareness, but about exciting the imaginations of young people and helping them to see the significance of historical events in the current climate. If that sounds like something you could do, our PGCE Secondary History is for you. In our long-established programme you’ll receive the highest standard of professional training. You’ll develop innovative approaches to teaching and learning, including a specific focus on matters of diversity and inclusion in the current history curriculum. Prepare with practical experience You’ll develop your reflective and analytical skills and have the opportunity to explore different aspects of your subject knowledge. With plenty of practical experience in planning effective lessons and learning strategies, you’ll also get lots of hands-on experience in the classroom. Throughout your placement, you’ll be supported by your history tutor and school-based expert mentor. Listen to their advice about how to apply what you’ve learnt in seminars to the classroom. Turn to them whenever you need support or feedback. Successful completion of the programme leads to recommendation for Qualified Teacher Status (QTS). What you'll study At the start of your course you’ll carry out an audit of your subject knowledge. This way you can identify your areas of strength and those you need to develop. You’ll study the conceptual structure of the history curriculum and essential educational theory, as well as innovative teaching and assessment methods and strategies to encourage the development of practical skills. Discover creative ways to develop historical understanding, through fieldwork, the use of archives and museum work. Learn how to work with outside speakers from the history education community and how to plan a lesson effectively. We’ll help you develop your academic skills, including building your subject knowledge, so you can contribute to the teaching of geography and RE at key stage 3. 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.