Prepare to Teach

Prepare to Teach:

Mathematics
Science
Modern Foreign Languages
Design and Technology
Cymraeg

Validated by:

The Open University.

Course length:

Flexible

Entry requirements:

Applicants should have the motivation to teach plus one of the following:

English and Mathematics at GCSE Grade C or above (or the equivalent)
A first degree (or the equivalent) in a subject where an appropriate amount of the chosen specialism (Mathematics, Science, Modern Foreign Languages, Design and Technology, or Cymraeg) was studied

How to apply:

Applications should be made direct to the Open University. Contact Clare Schroder on: 02920 471019 or e-mail c.a.schroder@open.ac.uk.

Career potential:

The course is specifically designed to meet the shortfall of teachers of Mathematics, Science, Modern Foreign Languages, Design and Technology, and Cymraeg at Key Stages 3 and 4. The number of graduates in these subjects is declining, which is in turn affecting the number of applicants to PGCE courses. There is thus a need to recruit graduates who have degrees in related areas. Those who successfully complete the course should have excellent prospects of gaining a place on a PGCE course and subsequently of finding a teaching post.

Course content:

The course has been developed jointly by Bangor University and the Open University in Wales and is being funded by the Higher Education Funding Council for Wales. The course is offered on a very flexible basis and includes six days of school experience in a school local to the student. A personal tutor and a school facilitator are allocated to all students. At the end of the course students will know whether they are temperamentally suited to train to be a teacher and whether there are any gaps to be filled in their subject knowledge.

The course consists of the following elements:

Formative/diagnostic element: This involves an interview, a taster experience in school, and advisory support as progress is made through the subject modules, culminating in a self-review.
Subject study element: This element is led by the OU and is based on relevant undergraduate modules determined by the diagnostic interview to meet students' needs.

Assessment:

The course is assessed on a pass/fail basis. Students must successfully complete the subject study modules and compile a professional development portfolio.

Selection procedure:

Students will be selected for the course by application form and interview.

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