Early Years PGCE/MA Educational Innovation

Introduction

At the Institute of Education we believe that teachers of young children deserve the very best training in order to build sound foundations for their future years. Our Early Years PGCE prepares candidates to teach children aged 3-7 in nursery, reception and infant classes. You will undertake placements in Nursery, Reception and Key Stage 1 classes to widen your breadth and experience of the whole age range.

We will help you to:
  • learn to teach the key skills, knowledge and attitudes to pupils across the ability range and across the curriculum
  • assess pupils effectively to assist in promoting pupils' progress in learning
  • teach effectively and organise learning settings to promote sound and coherent learning
  • learn to manage pupils’ behaviour and maintain a purposeful learning environment
  • find ways of developing your own practice through a process of self-evaluation
  

2.10.07_d__0075.jpg The Course

The course begins in mid-September, lasts for 38 weeks. The focus of the course is on the Foundation Stage Curriculum for early years settings and reception classes. It includes programmes to address the six areas of learning in the Foundation Stage.

  • Communication, language and development
  • Mathematical development
  • Knowledge and understanding of the world
  • Creative development
  • Physical Development
  • Personal, social and emotional development.

You will learn to plan and assess across ail six areas through play-based learning.

The other focus is on Key Stage 1 for the National Curriculum. It includes programmes to address the teaching, planning and assessment of the core subjects at Key Stage 1 as well as the foundation subjects.

There is a professional studies programme that develops your understanding of how children learn, behaviour management, child development and other important professional issues related to the Foundation Stage and Key Stage 1.

The academic component of the course is assessed at Masters level. On successful completion of the course you will gain 60 credits towards a Masters qualification in addition to QTS.

Entry Requirements

  1. Normally, we expect all of our applicants to have a 2:1 honours degree.
  2. To undertake the Early Years PGCE you will need to demonstrate some subject knowledge of the core subjects and an awareness of the needs of the very young child. You should demonstrate that you have the expertise and commitment to become a specialist in Early Years education. This will usually be based on the content of your degree, professional experience or other qualifications. We do not recruit by degree title but we expect you to be able to establish the relevance of your studies and experience to your chosen course.
  3. We expect all candidates to have had some experience in schools and/or Early Years settings focusing on the Foundation Stage as well as Key Stage 1 classrooms, and that you are familiar with the atmosphere and demands across the early years. This will be a focus of discussion at interview.
  4. All applicants for the Early Years PGCE should hold at least a Grade C at GCSE in English, Mathematics and Science. Other qualifications may be approved as equivalents. You must show that you meet these requirements before the start of the course.

We are keen to recruit high quality candidates who have enquired into the realities of school life by visiting or spending time in schools in their chosen age phase. We want to recruit students who will be lively, energetic teachers, committed to developing the abilities of all pupils and to making a difference in educational practice.

The Early Years course is very popular and we emphasise the need for early application.

Course leader: Viv Cooke

Email: pgce@warwick.ac.uk

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