Discovering Higher and Degree Apprenticeships with UWE Bristol, get free advice >>

Teaching A-Level/what subject at PGCE

Hi all,

I'm all new to this so excuse me if this is a stupid question or been asked many times before... I am looking to do a PGCE in sept 2016..

I am coming to the end of my degree with the OU, I have studied both chemistry and biology modules at level 1, 2 and 3 (I was always much better at biology)... So can I do a PGCE in either subject? What's the criteria? I know if I do chemistry I can get some funding...

Does a PGCE allow you to teach a level? If I did chemistry for example could I only teach chemistry at A-Level or would I be able to teach biology too as I have the knowledge?

Thanks

-------------------------------------------
If I help at all, please press the thumbs up :-)

Reply 1

beautifulbigmacs

Will follow this thread with interest. I'm qualified to teach a number of subjects and I'd be gutted if I waa told I can only teach the one I train in for pgce. People have told me that you can teach anything you're qualified in but I think the subject experience (or lack thereof) at pgce could be quite influential for job applications.

I also read that for science you'll teach it as a general subject for lower secondary key stages and that the specialism determines what you're more likely to teach at A level.

Reply 2

Hayley Williams

Original post by Lambert87

You need at least 50% of your degree in a certain subject to do a PGCE in it. Yes, it will allow you to do a level. One of the teachers at my sixth form used to teach biology and chemistry at A level, so you can do it. I think you just need to have done enough modules of each subject in your degree. :biggrin:

Reply 3

Muttley79

Original post by Lambert87

What will your degree be in? Where I teach, I'd expect a degree in that subject to teach it to A level and you'll probably teach science in KS3 and a specialist GCSE - this is a selective school btw.

However, science teachers are in short supply so you might find you can teach more than one subject to A level. I wouldn't advise it as it's not easy to keep up to date on two A level specifications.

Reply 4

Lambert87

Original post by beautifulbigmacs

Yes, that's what I heard too... :smile:

What are you qualified to teach? Interesting to know how you are getting on too?

Original post by Hayley Williams

Ok perfect... So i've done the core chemistry modules at year 2 but only inorganic at year 3... I've done all core modules in biology at year 2 and 3

Original post by Muttley79

Thanks for this buddy; my degree is Natural Science but then Biology/Chemistry pathways.

My modules (year 2 onwards) are:

Human Biology
Investigative science
Molecular World (This is all the 3 main branches of chemistry)

Level 3: Cell Biology and Evolution
Infectious diseases
Inorganic Chemistry
Dissertation on immunology

So hopefully this will allow me to do a PGCE in Chemistry?

Reply 5

Muttley79

Original post by Lambert87

Yes, that's what I heard too... :smile:

What are you qualified to teach? Interesting to know how you are getting on too?

Ok perfect... So i've done the core chemistry modules at year 2 but only inorganic at year 3... I've done all core modules in biology at year 2 and 3

Thanks for this buddy; my degree is Natural Science but then Biology/Chemistry pathways.

My modules (year 2 onwards) are:

Human Biology
Investigative science
Molecular World (This is all the 3 main branches of chemistry)

Level 3: Cell Biology and Evolution
Infectious diseases
Inorganic Chemistry
Dissertation on immunology

So hopefully this will allow me to do a PGCE in Chemistry?

If its 50% Chemistry then I would have thought so but check with wherever you will study. Chemistry teachers are in shorter supply than Biology teachers so it's a better route than Biology [the funding is useful too].

If you are keen on teaching A level then do look at selective schools as they have lots of A level students.

Reply 6

Pierson

Entry requirements and course content for PGCEs vary depending on the training provider. Typically, at least 50% of your degree needs to be in the subject you are interested in teaching. Check the websites of individual course providers to find out their requirements.

If you want to train to teach up to A Level, you will need to make sure that you've applied for courses that cover the 11-18 range - some courses only cover 11-16. Usually with 11-18 courses, you are trained to teach all the Sciences up to GCSE level but training at A Level is only in your specialist subject. Again, before applying, you should check each course's content to ensure that it meets your needs.

You do not need to have trained in a subject to be able to teach it, so doing a PGCE specialising in teaching Chemistry would not prevent you from teaching Biology or Physics at A Level once you have qualified. Employers set their own criteria when assessing a teacher's suitability for a position. Have a look at job specifications on Eteach to get an idea of what employers are looking for and use that to make an informed decision.

Also, just to clarify, you would still get funding if you chose to specialise in Biology, but it would be less than if you chose to specialise in Chemistry: https://getintoteaching.education.gov.uk/bursaries-and-funding

Reply 7

Vicky_B_10

Just a little additional information I didn't see anyone else give.

I am doing a chemistry PGCE even though my degree (integrated masters in marine science) was only about 1/3 chemistry, so I have done a 5 month subject knowledge enhancement course to improve my subject knowledge, I got funding during this course and was able to do it all online (I did it with Hibernia College).

And yes you would normally only teach your specialism science at A level, but I was told during an interview that if you wanted you could request experience of another science at this level as well.

Yes you would get more funding for doing chemistry, but definitely follow whichever you are more passionate about.

Reply 8

Lambert87

Original post by Vicky_B_10

Brilliant, thank you so much for the information.

Can I ask a quick question -- I am on track for a 2:1 but my last module (Cell bio and evolution) is apparently one of the most difficult ones the OU does... If I do slip to a 2:2 would this be an issue to go on a PGCE and find a job after?

Thanks

Reply 9

Lambert87

I have just been reading the Universities websites regarding the PGCE and it does state that 50% of my entire degree needs to be chemistry

I studied:
60 Credits of Chemistry at Level 2
30 Credits of Biology at Level 2
30 Credits of a Investigative Science module (it was under the biology strand but the chemists did the same course but it was called something different)

20 Credits of Chemistry at level 3
90 Credits of Biology/Biochem at level 3
Dissertation of infectious disease

That doesn't quite make the 50% required does it to do chemistry?

Reply 10

Pierson

50% typically means 180 credits in that subject by the end of the course but different course providers have different definitions.

The only impact getting a 2:2 would likely to have is you'd be eligible for a smaller bursary unless you managed to gain one of the scholarships on offer.