
Opleiding: PGCE Secondary Mathematics
Learning purpose
The Middlesex PGCE Secondary Mathematics course equips you to inspire pupils through the use of engaging interactive workshops, lectures and structured debates. You receive personal attention through regular tutor visits to school placements and individual tutorials. Schools are carefully selected to suit individuals and expose them to imaginative and thought provoking teaching and learning strategies.
The course aims to prepare you for the teaching profession. It will
- Enable you to develop knowledge and understanding of pupils and their learning
- Develop your expertise in highly specialised professional skills in a context where you'll need to exercise initiative and take personal responsibility for decision making in complex and unpredictable situations
- Equip you with the pedagogic knowledge, understanding and skills to teach effectively across the 11-16 age range
- Develop your knowledge and understanding of the SecondaryMathematics curriculum
- Enable you to understand, critically evaluate and respond to the needs of children in multicultural, multilingual and multifaith settings and schools in an international, urban environment.
Maths subject studies investigates the structure of the Mathematics curriculum through number and algebra, shape, space and measures, and handling data. You will be expected to provide evidence of your own development in teaching and learning through a Personal Mathematics Portfolio, which is the main vehicle for the assessment.
You will be involved in designing, producing, teaching and evaluating a range of materials currently used to support Mathematics in the secondary school. An example of this is the use of a specific software application to develop numeracy. Information Communication Technology is integrated throughout the course and it is essential that you are familiar with a Windows environment and have access to a PC at home.
Two thirds (120 days) of the PGCE SecondaryMathematics course will be on placement. We have excellent relationships with schools in north London, Essex and Hertfordshire and many of our graduates go on to work in their first teaching job at the schools where they had a placement.
Programme
Subject studies A structured programme of subject teaching methodology and application workshops and seminars.
School-based studies You are required to spend two-thirds (120 days) of the programme in school. We have developed a partnership scheme with 150 participating secondary schools situated throughout the North London boroughs, Essex and Hertfordshire. In each school you will be assigned a personal mentor who is a subject teacher. You will experience two consecutive secondary school placements. The objective of the school experience is to develop your generic and subject teaching skills to at least the level of competence expected of a newly qualified teacher.
Professional studies This is a programme of lectures and seminars focusing on contemporary issues in education and professional development. This part of the programme takes place partly at the University and partly at school by lectures, workshops and seminars to mixed subject groups.
The programme is based at Trent Park and in schools. You will find this an intensive 36-week, five-days-a-week programme, during which you will also have directed work to carry out during the Christmas and Easter holiday.
Subject studies are assessed by a portfolio of coursework and a school-based special study (a teaching resource). Progressive developments of teaching skills are recorded using criteria referenced assessment proforma. Professional studies are assessed by a range of written tasks. Observation of the students, teaching and evaluative discussions with course tutors and school based mentors and teachers.
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- School Experience 1 (20 Credits) - Compulsory
- This module aims to prepare students for their first School Experience by supporting their preparation and enabling them to collaborate with each other, their subject mentors, and co-ordinating mentors so that they can address the standards specified by the statutory teaching standards, while undertaking on School Experience 1. The school based element of the module is 46 days.
- School Experience 2 (40 Credits) - Compulsory
- This module aims to provide an extended, individual school experience across 11-16, 11-18 or 14-19 where students build upon their experience on school experience 1. They build up to a 60% teaching load across the placement, which is 74 days in total, across a 6 month period, so that they can address the standards specified by the the statutory teaching standards.
Entry Requirements
You need at least a 2.2 Bachelors hons degree in a subject relevant to your chosen subject area. You must also have a GCSE grade C or above in English and Maths. Equivalency tests for GCSE English and Maths will only be provided in exceptional circumstances. It is also recommended that you undertake at least two weeks work experience within a Secondary Maths classroom before applying. We do not accept direct applications for our PGCE programmes.
Professional perspective and employment market
Seconday Mathematics teacher
Our Careers Service offers you a range of support both while you're studying with us - and after you've graduated.
Placements
Work placements are integral to the PGCE Secondary Mathematics degree. Our course is well-known for having a strong and committed partnership with local schools, whose mentors and class teachers train with the University. As a student, you will have the opportunity for rich and varied placements in the multilingual, multicultural and multifaith schools.

