Religious Education, Secondary PGCE
Tutor: Jo McShane
Duration: Full-time 10 months
Requirements: Except in exceptional circumstances, you should hold, or expect to achieve at least a 2.2 honours degree, with at least 50% of the content in Religious Studies or a related subject. Please refer to the ‘RE TOP Up Advice’ document (pdf file). Applicants must have a GCSE English Language and Mathematics at grade C or above before commencement of the PGCE Course.
School experience: Some recent experience in a secondary school is required by the time of interview
Course Aims
This course consistently achieves the highest possible ratings from OFSTED. The course prepares students to teach religious education (RE) to pupils across the ability range aged 11-19. What is taught in RE varies from region to region according to the Local Agreed Syllabus for RE.
The course at Newcastle is designed to give students a broad foundation which will enable them to teach RE with confidence in a range of secondary school contexts. Attention is also given to establishing links with other humanities subjects and contributing to the spiritual, moral, social and cultural development of pupils. Special interest is taken in the use of thinking skills in teaching RE.
OFSTED, 2002 - 'Very good training in how to teach is a particular strength of provision'
Local partnerships: Balancing practical skill in teaching with a critical awareness of the importance of RE in the curriculum is the aim of the course. Local teachers work in partnership with the University in planning and delivering the course. Subject Mentors in schools are part of a network of teachers engaged in research into effective teaching and learning in RE. They have contributed to publications such as Thinking Through RE.
Learning Opportunities: Students have the opportunity to work collaboratively and develop key skills in teamwork. Students benefit from a variety of learning opportunities ranging from structured classroom observation, micro-teaching using video, team-teaching through to seminar groups and visits. The course provides opportunities to integrate practical experience with the latest research and theories of teaching RE.
Local Heritage: Newcastle is home to a rich mix of people from different faith traditions and learning to teach RE in Newcastle also offers the opportunity to visit sites significant in the early development of Christianity in England such as Lindisfarne and Bede's Church at Jarrow.
Applicants with a background in philosophy are welcomed.
PGCE Enquiries:
Tel: 0191 222 6581
Fax: 0191 222 6546
E-mail: pgce-education@ncl.ac.uk
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