PGCE Secondary - Physics at Durham University

The PGCE Secondary Physics course is the first phase of three-year entitlement for beginning teachers. The first phase of the entitlement is the Core Content Framework and this is embedded into all of our ITE courses. The PGCE Secondary Physics course is accredited by the DfE, and upon successful completion you will be recommended for Qualified Teacher Status (QTS). During our last Ofsted Inspection we were graded as “Outstanding” for all aspects of our provision.

Subject pedagogy (how to teach the subject for understanding) is explored in an innovative university / partnership model known as the POD (Professional Opportunities and Development). The ITE course is delivered using a blended approach and is research informed.

The process starts with an online interactive resource which introduces a weekly theme e.g., behaviour management, assessment, SEND and inclusion (all of which are components of the Core Content Framework).

The theme is then expanded upon in relation to your science specialism in a Teaching and Learning Community (TLC) and finally theory and application come together in the POD (Sedgefield Community College, King James 1 Academy and St Bede’s School and Sixth Form College).

Beginning teachers work in classrooms in POD schools with expert staff to develop knowledge and strategies that can be drawn upon during their own teaching placement. Subject knowledge is enhanced through work with subject specific University staff and with subject experts from the POD setting.

We believe strongly that to be able to teach successfully you must acquire a good understanding of the 'big ideas' of science as well as learning about how to teach science. Core Science addresses your own understanding of the key concepts underpinning science, covering substantive and procedural knowledge in detail. We utilise research and evidence-informed progression toolkits for key concepts in science to provide:

• appropriately-sequenced steps for learning progression
• diagnostic questions to reveal preconceptions and common misunderstandings
• response activities to challenge misunderstandings and encourage conceptual development