
Opleiding: PGCE Secondary Drama
Learning purpose
The course is designed to prepare students a career as a specialist teacher of Drama working in the secondary education sector. This programme aims to extend students' subject knowledge application in Drama, to enable them to teach across the 11 to 18 age range. Five workshop programmes and a weekly seminar develop your knowledge, skills and understanding of drama and education:
- Practice of Drama in Education introduces you to a range of models of teaching drama in education;
- Content of Drama in Education 1 and 2 introduces you to potential content for drama lessons;
- Defining the Process of Drama in Education provides and introduction to the origins and development of drama in education;
- Technology and Drama in Education looks at the creative implications of using video and computer resources for drama;
- The focus is on developing and consolidating your abilities as a reflective drama practitioner in the secondary classroom.
The aim of the course is to prepare students for the teaching profession. It will:
- Enable students to develop their knowledge and understanding of pupils and their learning;
- Equip students with the pedagogic knowledge, understanding and skills to teach effectively across the 11-18 age range of the secondary school;
- Enable students to develop their knowledge and understanding of the secondary curriculum for their subject;
- Enable students to understand, critically evaluate and respond to the needs of children in multicultural, multilingual and multifaith settings and schools in an international, urban environment;
- Train students to be able to meet the teaching standards in the stated age range of the secondary school;
- Enable students to demonstrate critical understanding of current research and advanced scholarship in the area of secondary education and to demonstrate expertise in highly specialised professional skills in a context where they will need to exercise initiative and take personal responsibility for decision making in complex and unpredictable situations.
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.
- 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 2.1 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 before making your application. It is also recommended that you undertake at least two weeks work experience within a Secondary Art and Design classroom before applying. We do not accept direct applications for our PGCE programmes.
Entry requirements
We welcome applications from graduates with a good honours degree, or equivalent qualification, in an appropriate subject. We also consider candidates with other relevant qualifications and individuals with a minimum of three years' work experience. Those without formal qualifications need to demonstrate relevant work experience and the ability to study at postgraduate level.
English language requirements
You must have competence in English language and we normally require Grade C GCSE or an equivalent qualification. The most common English Language requirements for international students are IELTS 6.5 or TOEFL (paper based) 575 or TOEFL (internet based) 90 with specified minimum scores for each component.
Professional perspective and employment market
Secondary Drama 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 Drama 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.

