Secondary PGCE - Pre-course tasks to complete

Fundamental Skills Audits

All trainees need to demonstrate a certain level of English and mathematics by the end of the course before QTS can be awarded.  This is a DfE requirement.  To start this process, please download the following two audit documents and spend as much time as you can developing and improving your English and mathematics skills before the course starts.   

Fundamental Skills English Audit
Fundamental Skills Maths Audit‌‌

Please keep these completed documents safe as your tutor will discuss the outcomes of your audits with you in the first weeks of the taught course and you will be asked to upload them to your electronic portfolio.  There will be plenty of opportunities during the course for you to work on any areas you identify as needing improvement.

Please click on the relevant link below to access subject-specific pre-course tasks, recommended reading and general information relating to your subject:

‌Secondary English Information and Tasks

Secondary Geography Information and Tasks

Secondary History Information and Tasks
Secondary History - Progression in History under the 2014 National Curriculum

‌Secondary Maths Information and Tasks
Secondary Maths - Subject Knowledge Audit

‌Secondary MFL Information and Tasks
Secondary MFL - Eurydice explanation of the English education system
Secondary MFL - History of Education in England part 1
Secondary MFL - History of Education in England part 2
Secondary MFL - French, German & Spanish GCSE subject content

Secondary PE Information and Tasks
Secondary PE - Appendix A (Example of an Abstract)

Secondary Science Information and Tasks
Secondary Science - Reading 1 (Lemke)
Secondary Science - Reading 2 (Willingham)
Secondary Science - Reading 3 (Archer)‌‌

Many trainees ask for advice on useful reading prior to beginning the course. Your main subject tutor will advise you on subject-related reading. The following books have been suggested by tutors and represent a range of views on educational issues. The list includes some more accessible texts, while others are quite ‘heavyweight’. All are relevant to the course that you are about to follow. Select from these titles, depending on your interests. 

Alexander, R. (2020) A Dialogic Teaching Companion. Oxford: Routledge.

Capel, S., and Leask, M. (Eds). (2019) Learning to Teach in the Secondary School: A companion to school experience 8th Edition. London: Routledge

Kyriacou, C (2018) Essential Teaching Skills (5^th Edition). Oxford: OUP.

Sherrington, T (2022) Teaching WalkThrus 3: Five-step guides to instructional coaching. Hatchette UK

Wilson, E. (2017) School-based Research: A Guide for Education Students (3rd Edition). London: Sage.