Frequently Asked Questions
- Is this an approved programme ?
- What is state registration ?
- Do I get QTS (Qualified Teacher Status) ?
- Do I get a DfES number (Department for Education and Skills) ?
- Do I need a DfES number or QTS ?
- Does successful completion of this programme allow me to teach in other countries ?
- How can I get state registration ?
- I am not currently employed as a teacher. How do I find a placement school ?
- How do I get a mentor and are there any special requirements for them ?
- Is this a PGCE in Primary? / Is this a PGCE in Secondary? / Is this a PGCE in a specific subject or age phase ?
- If I successfully complete the PGCE will I be able to teach in any phase i.e. primary and secondary ?
- I do not have a degree already can I still do the programme ?
- When can I start the programme ?
1. Is this an approved programme ?
The Qualification Assurance Agency (QAA) requires all universities to put their programmes through an approval process. This involves scrutiny by other academics and stakeholders from outside the institution who will only allow a programme to be offered if they are satisfied with the rigour of the academic standards and the organisation to support it. This PGCE, now in its ninth year of operation, was re-approved in January 2007 to run for another five years. Annually a report is written on this programme to monitor its quality and part of that process is a commentary by an external examiner who has to assure the University that the programme is comparable to other similar programmes, that it meets its stated aims and is maintaining quality standards. This programme always meets or exceeds these requirements. Approval by governments is a matter of state registration – see point 2 below.
2. What is state registration ?
State registration is the process in place in all countries whereby the national, or in some cases local, government approves teachers to Work In The State Sector Schools. Private and international school fall outside this and in nearly all cases there is no requirement on teachers to have any registration to teach in the private or international school sector. Of course the school itself may choose to only employ teachers from certain training backgrounds or with specific qualifications but that is different from a statutory requirement to have registration prior to being allowed to teach. In the United Kingdom along with some other countries the state registration is often referred to as Qualified Teacher status, QTS for short. Increasingly we are hearing reports from around the world that governments are now in the process of looking at introducing some requirements for teachers in international schools and this programme we expect to comply with any such requirements.
3. Do I get QTS (Qualified Teacher Status) ?
This programme regularly has trainees from over 20 different countries and all countries have somewhat different conditions for awarding QTS. The programme is based on the English teaching standards which in fact are remarkably similar to those in many other countries. As far as the requirements of getting QTS in England (Scotland, Wales and both Northern Ireland and the Irish Republic are different) are concerned the only trainees who get QTS are those who undertake their training in a state school in England and then complete the NQT – Newly Qualified Teacher- year afterwards. So no you do not get QTS but for the market that this programme caters for – the international schools around the world you do not need it unless the school only employs teachers who already have taught in the state system and have QTS. You will need to check with the school and consider you own position in this respect. See also question 2.
4. Do I get a DfES number (Department for Education and Skills)?
No you will not. Only trainees who undertake their training in England and whose teaching practice is in a state school will automatically get a DfES number during their PGCE year. The DfES number however means very little as the number itself does not show any achievement and is only of relevance if the whole state registration process is completed including the NQT year after gaining the PGCE.
5. Do I need a DfES number or QTS?
Some international schools may ask for this but it is meaningless unless the holder of it also has completed the NQT year and has full state registration, so if a school is asking for it they are probably also expecting you to be already trained and state registered in another country and in the case of many international schools that will mean England, America or Australia.
6. Does successful completion of this programme allow me to teach in other countries ?
The programme is marketed for in-service teachers, or trainees who have a placement, in international schools around the world. The expatriot teaching community is an extremely fluid one and people tend to move around the world regularly. It is our experience over the last nine years that this award is readily accepted in many countries and indeed the programme has grown simply by word of mouth with ex-trainees and teachers who have worked with trainees recommending it. We of course can not guarantee that any particular school will accept it but we have good evidence that they will. In 2007 we have trainees in 12 countries working in schools of many types.
7. How can I get state registration ?
We know of trainees who in recent years have gained state registration in England, Scotland, Canada, and America. The regulations for getting state registration vary country to country and change with some frequency with in each. As of the time of writing (April 2007) in England state registration (QTS) is currently being achieve by ex-trainees through the Graduate Training Programme and is a process that takes between one and three terms. It requires the person to firstly find a job in a state school and schools will initially employ people as un-registered teachers and then for them teacher to demonstrate that they have consistently achieved the current English teaching standards. This is usually reasonably straight forward as they have already covered most if not all of these in their PGCE year. (The requirement in England is that this is done in a state school and it would not be acceptable to the authorities to do it in anything other than a state school) The University offers GTP programmes to ex PGCE trainees at cost – currently £400 but there are many providers around the country who will also offer it but at higher cost. In England people who have worked overseas often seem to be particularly attractive to many schools because of the experience of working with children who are speakers of other languages that has been gained whilst abroad. We can not comment on the process in other countries but will assist ex-trainees if asked to provide evidence of the work undertaken on the PGCE year.
8. I am not currently employed as a teacher. How do I find a placement school ?
If you are taking the programme in one of the Gulf countries where it is centre based through our partner in Dubai then you should discuss this with the in-country tutor for the country you live in or with the assistant programme leader based at Magrudy’s Educational Resource Centre in Dubai. If you are an Independent Distance Learning Student then it is a requirement of acceptance that you find a school where you live that is agreeable to you taking the programme. In particularly the school will need to be clear about the arrangements they will need to put in place for the two teaching practice modules. This module information that is in the programme description on our website. We are not able to help with finding placements but are willing to talk to the school about the programme and our requirements and will need the school to send us the form that shows they agree to you doing the placement there. You may find it useful to contact somewhere like the British Council or look in the phone directory for international schools. These need not be British curriculum ones as we work will those whose curriculum is based on other countries systems. Which school or system you chose is a matter of individual preference.
9. How do I get a mentor and are there any special requirements for them ?
The mentor needs to be someone who has experience of teaching and schools but not necessarily of mentoring. If they already have mentored other trainees elsewhere in the world that is an advantage but we will provide a full training manual for them to work from and in some instances where there is a large cohort, or where a member of staff from the University is visiting the locality, we will arrange face to face training.
10. Is this a PGCE in Primary ? / Is this a PGCE in Secondary ? / Is this a PGCE in a specific subject or age phase ?
This is a generic PGCE and does not specifically focus on any phase or subject. Within the academic modules there is the opportunity to explore and develop themes that relate to age and subject but the certificate that you get on successful completion will not mention any subject or phase. Any reference provided by the University will make it clear in which phase of education you did your training and any subjects taught.
11. If I successfully complete the PGCE will I be able to teach in any phase i.e. primary and secondary ?
The PGCE that you do will be based on the phase that you are working in while training and the way you answer the assignments will most likely be focussed on that phase. Therefore you will by the end of the programme be able to show a good understanding of that particular age group. International schools may well be willing to accept that you have a good subject knowledge from your first degree and that the PGCE has given you a good grounding in the aspects of teaching and be willing to employ you outside the phase in which you trained but we can not comment on how likely it is that this would happen in any particular school. You should be able to show competence to teach in the phase you were in during training from the standards you achieved and the academic work you submitted and you should consider carefully the position if you are likely to wish to teach outside this in the future. This PGCE is a generic one and has the practice of teaching and learning generally integral to its aims.
12. I do not have a degree already can I still do the programme ?
The entry requirement as this is a programme that takes place after (post) graduation is a first degree. In certain circumstances we can accept some diplomas or masters degrees if the content and specific background is sufficient. This is not automatic and we need to look closely at what you have already been awarded and make a judgement on the individual case. If you wish you may send a copy of the award you have to us and we will tell you if it is acceptable before you put in a full application.
13. When can I start the programme ?
We have only one entry point and that is in September each year. The programme is 34 weeks long and all the work is completed by the end of May. Those who wish to take part in our graduation ceremony are welcome to do so and this is held in Sunderland around the second week of July each year.
Further information and answers to any queries can be obtained from: pgce@magrudy.com,
sue.cooke@sunderland.ac.uk PGCE
(overseas) Programme Leader or stephanie.atkinson@sunderland.ac.uk Distance
Learning Master’s Programme Leader