Education: Postgraduate Certificate in Education (PGCE) Primary

Degree:

• Applications are invited from graduates with a good honours degree (normally a minimum of 2:1), or from students in the final year of their degree.
• Neither a Higher National Diploma (HND) nor a Higher National Certificate (HNC) are acceptable as equivalent to a degree for the purpose of PGCE entry.

Extra Information:

• At the time of application, candidates should have a minimum of GCSE grade C or above (or equivalent) in English Language, Mathematics and a Science (preferably combined).
• Applicants must disclose any criminal record, and all successful candidates will be required to apply for and be in receipt of an enhanced Disclosure from the DBS before taking up their place.
• All applicants to ITE are required to pass the Professional Skills Tests before starting their course. Further information is available here: www.education.gov.uk/schools/careers/traininganddevelopment/professional

What we are looking for in your GTTR application for the PGCE Primary Programme

• Applications for the PGCE Primary Programme are carefully screened by a team of experienced Admissions Tutors. After this process, selected applicants are invited to interview.
• In order to begin study on the PGCE Primary Programme, you must meet the basic entry qualifications for entry to Initial Teacher Training via the PGCE route (GCSEs, first degree and so on. Please see guidance above and our on-line Prospectus for details). Given that these fundamental entry requirements are met, Admissions Tutors will make a judgement about your overall profile for entry into primary teaching.

In essence, in making the decision to invite you to interview, they will look for evidence of:

• The potential security of your overall knowledge base for teaching across the range of subjects taught in primary schools. (Please note that we have support mechanisms in place for students who we judge would make excellent teachers but who need a \xc2\x91top-up\' in their subject knowledge.)
• Your academic and personal capacity for Masters level study.
• Clear and correct communication in written English. (Spoken English would be explored at interview.)
• A Personal Statement that demonstrates commitment to Primary Education and an enthusiasm for it.
• Relatively recent experience in a mainstream, state-maintained primary school. Ideally, this would be a school that delivers the English National Curriculum and, as a guide, we would expect your experience to be10 working days minimum. Of course, you are not expected to have worked in a full teaching role but rather to have gained some direct classroom experience, helping the teacher in whatever capacity was available and gaining some knowledge of teaching and learning. Undertaking this experience both allows you to check out whether teaching is the career for you and us to check out your basic appreciation of the fundamentals of your potential professional role.

Please make the dates and type of your experience clear:

• Your reflection on your direct experience in schools of teaching and learning with primary children
• A supportive reference that ideally comments on your academic aptitude for Masters level study, your work ethic and your experience with children.

In addition, Admissions Tutors will also take into consideration other \xc2\x91desirable\' characteristics:

• All other experiences of working with children
• Any paid or voluntary work you have undertaken
• Your personal experiences and personal interests, especially those that could directly contribute to your role as a teacher

* Please remember that at the University of Chester we are committed to developing you into an excellent teacher. Do make sure that your commitment and enthusiasm to become an excellent teacher are clear in your application.