Secondary History - PGCE Postgraduate Certificate in Education - PGCE

This course will enable you to use your degree level skills in the teaching of history so that the young people you work with can explore and engage with the history and cultures that have helped shaped our present.

We believe that history is a crucial element in the education of all pupils, and will work with you to enable you to become the inspirational secondary school teacher that today’s young people deserve.

What's covered in this course?
Our course provides you with the knowledge and understanding that will enable your current creative skills to grow into exciting and engaging teaching for 11-16 year olds with post-16 enhancement. The course is a practice-based programme that will fully support you into becoming a confident, dynamic and creative teacher committed to making history accessible for all.

Central to the curriculum is the study of history pedagogy and professional practice, which you will access through a synthesis of practical workshops, lectures, seminar groups and individual study.

Curriculum workshops are a key element of your course. Dedicated, full-time history lecturers and teachers deliver these in our specialist education classrooms and lecture theatres. The workshops enable you to experience and develop your understanding of subject pedagogy through topics such as: History and British values, teaching controversial issues, teaching the Holocaust, using the National Archives as a teaching resource, learning outside of the classroom, use of artefacts inside the classroom, as well as Key Stage 3 National Curriculum topics, GCSE and A Level History topics.

At least two thirds of the course takes place within school. You will be placed in a minimum of two history departments.

Through our Intensive training and practice (ITAP), which we have designed to strengthen the link between evidence and classroom practice, you will consolidate your knowledge of key evidence-based principles for effective teaching. You will also gain and understanding of adaptive teaching for SEND learners via expert input.

We map your development as a subject specialist with reference to identified subject priorities appropriate to the needs of secondary teachers entering the profession. Our systems for continuous improvement, development and assessment of your progress will support your growing ability to take responsibility for your own professional development and ensure that you approach QTS with a sound understanding of research-informed pedagogies and practices.