This document provides information about becoming a science teacher through various postgraduate certificate in education (PGCE) programs at the University of Leicester. It outlines the secondary PGCE science program, including team and subject specialist sessions, as well as two school placements. Induction standards and support are described for the first year of teaching. Career prospects are also summarized, including opportunities for leadership roles, professional development as an advanced skills teacher, and work-life balance benefits of the profession.

1. Become a Science Teacher
at the University of
Leicester
Biology 11-18
Chemistry 11-18
Physics 11-18
Core 11-16
Primary (early years-KS2)

2. Jenny Harrison
Biology and Science tutor (Seondary PGCE)
School of Education, University of Leicester
jkh4@le.ac.uk
For Primary PGCE
Contact Frankie McKeon (Head of Primary PGCE)
• fm10@le.ac.uk

3. Teaching ?
• Have you thought
about becoming a
science teacher
in primary or
secondary school?

4. Teachers are important and
make a difference
(1) Learning Processes (Pedagogy)
= teaching and learning involves
planned interventions by
teachers in response to how
learners are learning

5. Teachers are important
and make a difference
(2) What is being learnt in school goes
well beyond the curricula and subject
areas in school

6. Teachers are important
and make a difference
(3) Forging learning relationships

7. Teaching and learning
processes (pedagogy)
should help learners with:
• the big ideas
• key skills and processes
• ways of talking
• ways of thinking and practising
• attitudes and relationships
• reaching standards and showing expertise
in different settings

8. The focus is on and with
the pupils
• asking questions
• searching for
meaning
• noting the ‘penny
drop’ effect
• enjoying their
personalities
• helping them to
develop and gain self
esteem

9. Why teach ?
‘I entered teaching because I enjoyed
studying Physics and I wanted challenging
career where I could use this on a daily
basis’
‘I became a teacher because I wanted to work
with children to open their minds’

10. How to check this is
what you want to do
• Visit a classroom
• Visit a department
• Shadow an experienced science teacher
• Attend a ‘taster course’
• Student Ambassador Scheme (work in a school PT
while studying). Contact TIL on 0845 6000 991.
• Student Associate Scheme (choose a ‘module’ that
gives you a chance to work in classrooms with
teachers)

11. What are the P/G routes
into teaching?
See: www.tda.gov.uk
• Through a school (SCITT – run by schools; lead to QTS; lea
to QTS; most grant PGCE)
• Employed by a school (GTP - individual training programme;
paid as unqualified teacher; advertised; limited places;
competitive; leads to QTS)
• Through a taught programme run by a HEI (leads to QRS +
PGCE + Mlevel options)
• Range of PT (flexible) and DL courses at selected HEIs

12. What makes a good
applicant/entrant for a
PGCE course?
• GCSE grade C in English and Maths +
Grade C in Science for a Primary applicant
• Relevant degree
• Additional training or work experience
(e.g. 6 month FT bursaried course in Maths
orScience)
• Booster courses in a range of subjects

13. Bursary and Fees
• PGCE initial teacher training students are
entitled to a tax-free bursary while they train
• This year trainees on secondary science PGCE
programmes receive a bursary of £9,000 paid
monthly (equivalent to about £225 per week)
• PGCE trainees pay up to a maximum of £1,800 in
variable university fees

14. ‘Golden Hello’
• Newly qualified teachers (NQTs) start on a
six-point pay scale and can move up the
pay scale each year (within 5 years)
• NQTs in science receive a £5,000 ‘golden
hello’ after successful completion of the
Induction year and when they start their
second year of teaching.

15. Secondary PGCE science
programme at Leicester

16. Secondary PGCE science
programme at Leicester
• Team Sessions (mixed subject) – develop generic
skills, approaches and ideas for teaching and
learning in science
• Superteam Sessions – Tutor and student –led
workshops on aspects of Science – e.g. Teaching
Genetics and Inheritance at KS3/4; Earth
Science; Using the interactive whiteboard
• Specialist Subject Sessions – key concepts at KS
3/4/5 in specialist areas of science

17. A ‘Superteam’ Physics
Workshop
Who is the Physics Specialist ?

18. Learning about the
‘classroom out-of-doors’
• Residential course as part
of the Core Course for all
science PGCE students
(supported by a subsidy
from the Field Studies
Council at Flatford Mill
FSC)
• Local and national
museums, science centres,
nature reserves…

19. Two School Placements
• Phase A and Phase B – to put teaching skills into practice –
to learn on-the-job – to make mistakes and learn from these
in a supportive framework of ‘Partnership’ with selected
local schools in Leics. and Northants. – to develop as a
‘Reflective Practitioner’

20. Induction: your first
year of teaching
Induction standards – QTS is confirmed at the end of
this year
Entitlement to:
• a 90 % teaching timetable
• support of a designated induction tutor
• termly assessment and a review meeting

21. Career prospects and professional
development
Apply for assessment against National Standards to be
moved onto the Upper Pay Spine
Management and Leadership. Responsibility for:
• a particular ‘subject’ (e.g. Head of Dept, Faculty, Curriculum
area)
• a particular age group (e.g. as Head of Year or Key Stage Co-
ordinator)
• A particular area (e.g. special educational needs or academic
tutor to provide personal guidance)
• Senior management position (e.g. deputy or assistant head, or
head teacher)
• Headteachers shape the vision of the school, and lead and
manage the school community.

22. Career prospects and professional
development
• an Advanced Skills Teacher (AST)
to share expertise in and out of
school, as an expert classroom
teacher

23. Life as a teacher
• Up to 12 weeks’ holiday a year; opportunities to pursue
personal interests; time with families and friends ….
• Career prospects: multiple opportunities in and out of
schools …..
• Teaching offers the flexibility to fit your work to your life
through job-sharing and part-time work ….
• Pension benefits: generous occupational pension scheme
with guaranteed benefits ….