COURSE CURRICULUM

The PGCE Secondary Science – Chemistry program at UEA offers a dynamic and immersive learning experience, with a balance of university-based training and hands-on teaching placements in two different schools. Over the course of the year, you’ll spend a minimum of 120 days on school placement and 60 days engaging in structured learning at UEA. In the initial weeks, you'll be introduced to teaching strategies through workshops, seminars, and lectures at the Norwich campus, helping you develop a wide range of skills to ensure you're prepared for your first classes. Your learning will primarily be within your science group, where you'll engage in subject-specific pedagogy and collaborative discussions with fellow trainees who share your enthusiasm for chemistry.In addition to learning how to teach chemistry to Key Stage 4 (KS4) and Key Stage 5 (KS5), you'll gain support in teaching outside your specialism, with extra sessions in biology and physics. The program also emphasizes inclusive teaching, helping you develop strategies to support special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) students, as well as addressing controversial issues in the classroom. Throughout your placements, you'll work closely with a mentor who will guide your development towards meeting the Teachers' Standards by the end of the program.The course is structured to provide a thorough understanding of teaching theory and practice, with modules such as the Secondary Years QTS, Curriculum Assignment, Reflective Project in Education, and Learning, which focus on different aspects of teaching and student learning. These modules will help you refine your practice, assess your own teaching, and explore areas of interest related to educational research. By the end of the course, you'll have developed your own teaching style, tailored to your personality and the needs of your students, supported by a strong foundation in pedagogy and professional practice.