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

Secondary subjects

Hi, I’m looking into doing a secondary PGCE in biology. I’ve heard that secondary PGCEs require two subjects. Is this true? Also if it is my other a levels are in chemistry and maths, which would be more beneficial for future employment?

Reply 1

ChammyFTT

A second subject is not necessary for a secondary PGCE but it does open up opportunities - especially if you're not a core subject teacher or you teach a subject that isn't in need of as many teachers such as PE. You'll often find jobs for a PE and Geography role, for example.

As a biology teacher, you will most likely be expected to teach all three sciences at KS3 with you teaching your specialism at KS4 and beyond.

All sciences, along with maths, are extremely sort after for teaching roles as there is a nationwide shortage - with maths, physics, and chemistry currently offering the bigger bursaries for training. Biology is a little less.

This is subject to change each year with no guarantee of bursaries being offered from one year to the next. My subject (food tech) had a bursary 2020/21, didn't have one 2021/22, has had one for 2022/23 and it has been increased further for 2023/24. It all depends on whether enough students were recruited the previous year to meet demand - this year, it certainly wasn't which is why the bursaries have been increased.

I would say, teach the subject you love - don't chase the bursary or the subject with the most roles available. Teaching is a hard but worthwhile career, if you love your subject. I toyed with doing a biology PGCE but teaching physics would just be soul destroying for me so I teach what I'm passionate about.