Introduction to Secondary Teaching - Certificate of Higher Education

What Makes This Course So Special?

This course is unique in Wales. It provides an innovative route into secondary teacher training designed around subjects designated by the Welsh Government as priority subjects where the demand for teachers is high, such as mathematics, science and ICT. It is extremely popular with those seeking a career change, those wishing to build upon existing higher education credits or those who are looking for new opportunities following redundancy or who wish to return to the workplace after a break.

Course Intro

Have you always wanted to teach but found you didn’t have the entry qualifications? Are you enthusiastic about Mathematics, Science or ICT and want to share your enthusiasm with others?

Are you looking to train for a job that is stimulating, challenging and one where you learn new things everyday?

With a shortage of secondary school teachers in these priority areas, people from all backgrounds are being actively encouraged to enter teaching.
If you don’t have academic qualifications, this is an opportunity to begin your training as a secondary school teacher. When you successfully complete the course with 120 HE credits at level 4 you may apply for a place on one of the two-year BSc secondary degrees with Qualified Teacher Status. You will be fully qualified to teach in three years.

The course is unique in Wales and attracts a wide range of applicants from varied backgrounds who are looking for new opportunities.

What you study

You follow the mathematics/ science/ ICT pathway and may complete your studies over one year full-time or, for added flexibility, two years part-time.

The course will develop your study skills and self confidence and enable you to develop your knowledge, skills and understanding to a level that supports application to a range of careers including one of the two-year secondary teaching degree courses.

The programme offers you:
• a relevant vocational certificate of higher education;
• small student groups, regular tutorials and a high level of pastoral care;
• strong collaborative partnerships between the University and local secondary schools;
• delivery by a programme team who have a breadth of experience of working with students in a range of contexts and settings; and
• access to excellent facilities including laboratories, ICT suites and resources

For the full-time route the main elements studied are:
• Foundation skills in Mathematics, English language and ICT
• Specialist subject knowledge
• Education studies

For the part-time route you will study:
• Foundation skills in Mathematics, English language and ICT in Year 1
• Your specialist subject and education studies in Year 2

As part of the educational studies programme you will spend ten days in a secondary school. This will give you the opportunity to familiarise yourself with the secondary school ethos and observe good learning and teaching across the curriculum. You may undertake your observation in a Welsh-medium school, if you wish.

A programme specification for this course is available.

Where Next?

On successful completion of the course with 120 HE credits at level 4 you can apply for a place on one of the two-year BSc secondary degree courses with Qualified Teacher Status. Pathways are: mathematics with science; mathematics with ICT; science with mathematics and science with ICT.

Job opportunities, financial rewards, and long term career prospects are excellent as mathematics, science and ICT are designated priority subjects by the Welsh Government.

Interview Required

Yes. An interview is required for all candidates. Tutors will be looking for a commitment to teaching and the personal and academic qualities needed for secondary teaching.

Assessment

Assessment includes written coursework tasks, timed assessments, seminar presentations, projects and open book examinations.

Student Soundbite

“Although I had a good salary I was disillusioned with what I was doing. I’d thought about teacher training for some time but didn’t have the qualifications so this course was perfect for me. My advice to anyone is if you’re not happy in what you’re doing, change your job and train to teach.”

Experiences Gained

Student Successes

Facilities

Teaching Team

This is a unique entry route into secondary teacher training for those wishing to train as a secondary school mathematics, science or design & technology teacher. It is the only course of its kind in Wales and England. The 1 year full-time, or 2 year part-time Introduction to Secondary Teaching will:

• through the combination of high level academic study and observation of practical teaching prepare you to meet the entry requirements for the B.Sc. degree and hence, become a confident and competent secondary school teacher
• undertake 10 days observation in schools
• on successful completion, exit with a Certificate of Higher Education (first year degree level/120 credits at Level4) and you can apply to have these transferred to another degree programme if you decide teaching isn't for you
• gain mathematics and English grade C GCSE equivalency

Students on this course come from a wide range of backgrounds including those straight form school or college who wish to gain a BSc degree but on graduation apply for their first teaching post without further postgraduate study. Others are looking for a career change while some students wish to build upon teaching qualifications gained overseas. Our current students come from retail, catering, call centres, construction, book-keeping, secretarial, teaching assistants, postman, army and RAF as well as those recently made redundant. This diversity of the student group enriches the student experience for everyone.

Anil’s overseas teaching qualification were not recognised in the UK for the award of Qualified Teacher Status (QTS) and so the Introduction to Secondary Teaching followed by the BSc Secondary mathematics with science with QTS provided the quickest way to achieve this.

“I think this course will suit anybody who has a passion for teaching but has some gap in their education for some reason. When I started the course, my knowledge about the education system in the UK was a big zero but now I have I have a very good understanding. The course is designed like 1+2 so I had the flexibility to decide whether to continue on to the two year BSc Secondary teaching degree (I had to apply and be interviewed) or transfer the credits to another degree. I am pleased I continued because I am now a qualified teacher in a well reputed college.
The academic and support staff were immensely supportive from the beginning and the curriculum was so well structured and designed in such a way that anybody can be successful if they are prepared to work hard."

Secondary teaching is an extremely rewarding and satisfying profession and the Introduction to Secondary Teaching has proven to be an outstanding route to becoming a teacher in the priority subjects of mathematics, science, ICT or design and technology. Jan Gravell decided on a career in teaching after 15 years working for a major utilities company. It’s a decision she hasn’t regretted:

“I’ve been teaching mathematics at Abersychan Secondary School for four years now and while it’s the hardest job I have ever done find it really rewarding; it is challenging, no two days are every the same and working with young people is fantastic.

I’ve never considered myself a mathematician but rather someone who has enjoyed working with numbers so before I applied I had a chat with the Admissions Tutor who assured me I had the potential to succeed. The Introduction to Secondary Teaching built up my level of subject knowledge as well as my confidence and I successfully progressed to the two year BSc Secondary mathematics with ICT with QTS.
The support you receive at Newport is tremendous, from your tutors, your peer group and mentors at the partnership schools where you do your practical teaching experience. My second teaching placement was at Abersychan and with their friendly, nurturing ethos, staff and pupils alike, I was able to hone my skills and flourish. Luckily a teaching post came up, I applied and I got it! As well as being a subject teacher I am a form tutor and enjoy this pastoral role, getting to know your pupils’ history, seeing them develop, supporting them through difficult times through to celebrating at the year 11 school prom. It’s a huge decision to change careers but it has been the best decision I have ever made.”

Science laboratories, Design and Technology workshops, dedicated computer suites with specialist software. Full access to the University facilities such as the Sports Centre and the Library.

Dr Kerie Green
Dr Carol Wood
Dr Ceri Pugh
David Tennant
Halima Alam
Phil Probert
David Longman
Elizabeth Neal (Placement Officer)