A Letter From The Programme Leader

Hello. I am Sue, the PGCE Overseas programme leader. I am based in Sunderland and am responsible for all the Secondary Teacher Training Programmes here, at the School of Education & Lifelong Learning at the University of Sunderland, as well as the overseas PGCE.

The overseas programme has been operating successfully since 1999 and, in that time, we have trained teachers for all phases of education from pre-school to University and in all academic disciplines. Graduates have found that completing the PGCE has had a positive impact upon their career choices. They would all tell you that the programme is very interesting, challenging and rewarding but it is also very demanding and just plain hard work! However your tutors and mentors both in Sunderland and overseas understand that and are there to support you.

Many of our overseas students train in the Middle East, where we have cohorts in the UAE, Bahrain, Kuwait, Qatar and Saudi Arabia. In these countries trainees work in fairly large study groups with tutor support. During the tutor-led sessions students benefit from discussions with other trainees and gain a lot from the knowledge and understanding of the programme of the in-country tutors, all of whom have worked with me for many years and have supported hundreds of trainees through their programme.

Apart from trainees in the Gulf region, we have students scattered around the rest of the world supported directly from the University. Web-based facilities provided by the university allow all trainees to participate in special on-line study groups where they are able to support each other in their learning, thereby accessing a wealth of experience of different teaching and learning situations.

The programme begins in mid September of each year and if you are based in the Middle East, I will meet most of you at an Induction weekend which is held in Dubai every September.

I look forward to welcoming you on the programme!

Sue Cooke: Programme Leader