Why choose Exeter for your Secondary PGCE
At the University of Exeter, we offer exceptional teacher training and where trainees get the best of both worlds. You will have tutors who are experienced teachers and specialists in your chosen subject who are also involved in the cutting edge of national educational research.
“The rich programme of lectures and practical seminars ensures that trainees are well prepared for the realities of becoming an early career teacher, including in managing their workload.”
Ofsted Report 2023
We provide you with a carefully scaffolded programme, so you are ready to teach from your first lesson. The course is designed to provide engaging and varied opportunities for you to develop the necessary knowledge, understanding and skills. The course provides you with a master’s level academic qualification (PGCE) and Qualified Teacher Status (QTS) at secondary (11-16) level. We also offer additional experience of post-16 teaching.
“Trainees are inspired by the exceptionally strong subject knowledge of university staff. This, along with the long-standing tradition of academic rigour and educational research at Exeter, enables trainees to deepen their knowledge in their subjects very well.”
Ofsted Report 2023
During the year you will have both an in-school subject specialist mentor and a university based, subject specialist mentor. Both mentors will work with you as you develop your practice and be available to support you through the year. You will also have a personal tutor to provide pastoral support.
Our PGCE programme offers you the opportunity to develop your understanding of the opportunities and demands of leadership roles within schools and consider planning your career path. You will also have the opportunity to reflect on your own leadership in the classroom and how these skills can support pupil learning. In addition to lecture and optional seminar input, you may elect to undertake a school-based leadership task in your final placement.
Course structure
The course is part campus-based and part school-based with most of the campus-based provision in term 1.
During term 1 the campus-based delivery uses in-person and blended approaches which means you attend the St Luke’s campus for two* days each week with independent, directed and scheduled online study for the rest of the week. During this term you will also have a 4-week school placement, where you will be in school 5 days per week.
* Biology with PE trainees will attend the St Luke's campus for three days each week due to the extra PE input they receive.
Term 2 is predominantly school-based where you return to the same placement school. You will also return to the St Luke’s campus for 3 individual days of university input. Towards the end of this term you will change schools to your second placement school.
Term 3 is predominantly school-based in your second placement school with a further 3 days of university input back on campus.
Throughout the year, your school-based and campus-based experience will include 20 days of Intensive Training and Practice (ITAP). ITAP is delivered via 4 main themes and weaves together a mixture of theory and school-based experiences, designed to strengthen the links between classroom pedagogy, theory and practice.
Centre-based staff use an array of thoughtfully designed tools and assessment systems to connect trainees’ centre-based learning with their practice in schools. They support mentors to use these to best effect.
Ofsted 2023
Specialisms:
- Secondary English
- Secondary Geography
- Secondary History
- Secondary Mathematics
- Secondary Modern Foreign Languages
- Secondary Physical Education
- Secondary Science (Biology)
- Secondary Science (Chemistry)
- Secondary Science (Physics)
- Secondary Science (Biology with Physical Education)
- Secondary Science (Engineers Teach Physics)
Meet our students
If you’re thinking about choosing to study Teacher Training at Exeter then find out from our past trainees what it’s like to live and study here. They have even provided examples of a typical week on placement so that you can see how they manage social and family commitments around their teaching and studying schedules and get an idea of what a typical week as a trainee teacher might look like for you.
Sophie
Secondary with Modern Foreign Language
My time at university in term one really helped me feel confident coming into school in January. The tutors are all experts in their fields and having had the opportunity to talk ideas through with them was very valuable indeed. The classes in term one also gave me lots of ideas for activities and strategies I could use in school and I definitely felt more prepared in January because of this. I have really enjoyed seeing how the theory and practice link together, and my reflections on my teaching have been stronger as a result.
Even though I have had to move for my placement, which did at first seem daunting, I am not the only one; there is a network of trainees in each county and we catch up regularly. The Partnership Office were very helpful when it came to finding accommodation. When placement lists are released, they publish an accommodation list, often with families or people renting a spare room.
Below is an example of what a typical week on placement looked like for me:
|
Monday |
Tuesday |
Wednesday |
Thursday |
Friday |
Saturday |
Sunday |
08:00 |
Meeting |
|
|
Meeting |
|
|
|
09:00 |
Teaching |
Meeting with tutor |
Teaching |
Teaching |
Teaching |
|
|
10:00 |
Teaching |
|
|
|
Planning for next week |
|
|
11:00 |
|
|
Teaching |
Teaching |
|
|
|
12:00 |
Teaching |
Teaching |
Teaching |
Planning |
|
Lunch with friends |
|
13:00 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
14:00 |
Meeting with ITEC |
Teaching |
Teaching |
|
|
|
|
15:00 |
Planning |
Planning |
Planning |
Meeting |
Leave school |
|
Walk with friends |
16:00 |
Leave school |
Leave school |
Leave school |
Leave school |
|
|
|
17:00 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
18:00 |
|
|
Gym |
|
|
|
|
19:00 |
|
|
|
Choir |
Catch up with friends |
Catch up with friends |
|
20:00 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Steve
Secondary with Mathematics
Every day on placement is different and exciting in a special way and I love the practical side of actually teaching. I embrace the challenge of working with different groups of students all with different abilities and temperaments and bringing out the best in them. I have worked with an amazing group of teachers who have given me the freedom to trial different teaching strategies, from running practical mathematical activities with the students to developing their skills with respect to mathematical proofs and offering constructive feedback on my teaching.
My second placement has involved me travelling from Exeter to Newton Abbot by train. The 25-minute commute along the scenic Devon coastline offers me some invaluable time to quickly run through my teaching plan for the day and on the way home some personal time to unwind.
I would definitely recommend studying a PGCE at University of Exeter. The Exeter Model provides extensive training on campus in Term 1 and before you are thrown in the deep-end of teaching, you get some tasters in schools whilst your confidence is built up. By the time we are being sent into schools, there is a feeling of: I am ready to do this!
Below is an example of a typical week for me whilst on placement combining teaching, study and time with my family:
|
Monday |
Tuesday |
Wednesday |
Thursday |
Friday |
Saturday |
Sunday |
08:00 |
8:00 – Prep/meetings
|
8:00 – Prep/meetings
|
8:00 – Prep/assembly |
8:00 – Prep/meetings |
8:00 – Prep/meetings
|
Family breakfast
|
Family breakfast
|
09:00 |
Observation of other teachers |
Preparing teaching resources |
Year 8Y Teaching |
Preparing teaching resources |
Year 9X Teaching |
||
10:00 |
Year 8Y Teaching |
Year 8X Teaching |
Year 7Y Teaching |
Year 8X Teaching |
A-Level tutorials |
Dads and Toddler’s event |
Attending Sunday Service |
11:00 |
11:00 – Break
|
11:00 - Break |
11:00 – Break 11:30 – Year 9X Teaching |
11:00 – Break 11:30 – Year 8X Teaching |
11:00 – Break 11:30 – Year 8Y Teaching |
Family time + outings
|
Rest
|
12:00 |
Preparing teaching resources |
12:30 – Year 7Y Teaching |
|
12:30 – Year 7Y Teaching |
|
||
13:00 |
13:30 – Lunch Break |
13:30 – Lunch Break |
13:30 – Lunch Break |
13:30 – Lunch Break |
13:30 – Lunch Break |
||
14:00 |
Year 7Y Teaching |
Year 8X Teaching |
A-Level tutorials |
Year 8Y Teaching |
Weekly Development Meeting (WDM) |
||
15:00 |
Reflections and preparation |
15:30 – Teaching Staff CPD Session |
Reflections and preparation
|
Reflections and preparation
|
Commuting |
||
16:00 |
|
|
Preparation for week’s
|
||||
17:00 |
Commuting |
Commuting |
Commuting |
Commuting |
Drinks with friends |
Family time |
|
18:00 |
Family time |
Family time |
Family time |
Family time |
Family time |
|
|
19:00 |
Family time |
Family time + dinner |
Family time + dinner |
Family time + dinner |
Family time + dinner |
Watching a movie |
Family time + dinner |
20:00 |
Reflections on day |
Reflections on day |
Reflections on day |
Reflections on day |
|
Watching a movie |
Reflections on week |
Matt
Secondary with Mathematics
My time on campus in the Autumn term allowed me to go into placement with the confidence that I had the knowledge about teaching to succeed. A huge benefit of having the first term on campus was that I developed strong friendships with the other trainees which created a strong support network that has allowed us to help each other throughout our placements.
My first placement school was in Teignmouth, a 30-minute drive away and the commute was straightforward. My second placement school was in Exeter and so I have been able to walk in every day. Finding accommodation was not difficult as I was happy to live with other students over the year and there are always rooms available to rent in the short term.
If you are considering teaching, training will be tough however, the Exeter PGCE prepares you and supports you in a way that you will always be on the right track. It is the most rewarding job and developing relationships with students, seeing them progress and knowing you have made a difference is the best feeling in the world.
Below is an example of a typical week during my placement:
|
Monday |
Tuesday |
Wednesday |
Thursday |
Friday |
Saturday |
Sunday |
08:00 |
Commute |
Commute |
Commute |
Commute |
Commute |
Have a lie-in! |
Have a lie-in! |
09:00 |
Free period – complete any paperwork, print resources for the day |
Teach Year 10 |
Teach year 8 |
Free period – complete any paperwork, print resources |
Teach year 7 |
Watch some TV |
Watch some TV |
10:00 |
Year 11 intervention group |
Free period |
Year 11 intervention group |
Teach year 10 |
Year 11 intervention group |
|
|
11:00 |
Break |
Break |
Break |
Break |
Break |
Winter - Play Hockey |
Socialise with friends |
12:00 |
Teach year 7 |
Teach year 7 |
Teach year 10 |
Teach year 7 |
Free period |
|
|
13:00 |
Teach year 8 |
Free period – paperwork and planning |
Free period – paperwork and planning |
Free period – paperwork and planning |
Free period – paperwork and planning |
Post-match lunch |
Summer – go to Dartmoor, the beach or the Quay in Exeter |
14:00 |
Lunch |
Lunch |
Lunch |
Lunch |
Lunch |
|
|
15:00 |
Free period – plan for tomorrow |
Free period |
Free period |
Teach year 8 |
Free period |
|
|
16:00 |
Go home and relax |
Faculty meeting |
Go home and relax |
Professional development session |
Go home and relax |
|
|
Camille
Secondary with English
For someone who was rather unfamiliar with the specifics of the national curriculum, the development of literacy and more generally with wider issues in education, Term 1 was the perfect way to help me build that knowledge and understanding of learning processes before going on placement. The course leaders are extremely supportive and care about the wellbeing of trainees; and the level of expertise of the teaching staff involved in teaching the first term is excellent.
By Term 2 I was excited to finally start putting all of it into practice. Being on placement is about exploring teaching strategies, forming relationships with pupils and staff, and learning from highly qualified practitioners. Being on placement is about becoming the teacher you want to be, and this is an exciting adventure!
Below is an example of what a typical week on placement looked like for me:
|
Monday |
Tuesday |
Wednesday |
Thursday |
Friday |
Saturday |
Sunday |
07:30 |
Commute |
Commute |
Commute |
Commute |
Commute |
Morning OFF
Afternoon: Paperwork/Evaluations University tasks
|
PPA |
08:40 |
Staff briefing |
Staff briefing |
Coffee w/ colleagues |
Staff briefing |
Coffee w/ colleagues |
||
08:50 |
Tutor/Assembly |
Tutor |
Tutor |
Tutor/Assembly |
Tutor |
||
09:10 |
Planning, Preparation and Assessment (PPA) |
PPA |
PPA |
Teaching |
Teaching |
||
10:10 |
Teaching |
Teaching |
Teaching |
PPA |
PPA |
||
11:20 |
BREAK |
BREAK |
BREAK |
BREAK |
BREAK |
||
11:30 |
Teaching |
Teaching |
Teaching |
Professional Studies |
Teaching |
||
12:30 |
PPA |
Teaching |
PPA |
Teaching |
PPA |
||
13:30 |
LUNCH |
LUNCH |
LUNCH |
LUNCH |
LUNCH |
||
14:15 |
Meeting with Mentor |
Teaching |
Teaching |
PPA |
PPA |
||
15:15 |
PPA |
PPA/Meeting |
PPA/Meeting |
PPA/Meeting |
PPA |
||
16:15 |
Commute home |
Commute home |
Commute home |
Commute home |
Commute home |
||
20:00 |
PPA |
PPA |
PPA |
House meal + Planning |
Evening OFF |
Evening OFF |
Jack
Secondary with Mathematics
I felt that the first term based at Exeter was a great way to develop a strong foundation of pedagogic knowledge before getting into the classroom. Schools are fast moving and demanding places, so this gave me the confidence to make decisions and take risks knowing that my work was informed by a good grasp of the literature. Furthermore, the first term at university gives you the chance to create a support network with other PGCE students for when you need it.
What I have enjoyed most about being on placement it the freedom to observe a variety of teachers and the time to implement change in to your own teaching practice. Each school I was placed in was very supportive of me and staff were always available to discuss ideas or answer your questions.
For me, the most rewarding part of being a teacher comes in two moments. In the short term, it is those magical times when a classroom is lit up with “light bulb” moments and you know that you are responsible. In the longer term, you really value the trust and belief that pupils put in you to teach them, they can become surprisingly clingy! In this profession you will never know it all and you will always be developing and refining your practice, which keeps it interesting!
Below is an example of how a typical week on placement looked for me:
|
Monday |
Tuesday |
Wednesday |
Thursday |
Friday |
Saturday |
Sunday |
08:00 |
Whole School Meeting Tutor Group |
Tutor Meeting
Tutor Group |
Whole School Meeting Tutor Group |
Maths Meeting
Tutor Group |
Tutor Group |
|
|
09:00 |
Planning |
Teaching |
Teaching |
Teaching |
Planning |
|
|
10:00 |
Planning |
Teaching |
Weekly Development Meeting with PST |
Teaching |
Teaching |
Shopping/Chores |
Golf |
11:00 |
Break |
Break |
Break |
Break |
Break |
Personal Time |
Golf |
12:00 |
Teaching |
Meeting with Mentor |
Teaching |
Teaching |
Teaching |
Personal Time |
Golf |
13:00 |
Planning |
Planning |
Planning |
Teaching |
Teaching |
Lunch |
Lunch |
14:00 |
Lunch |
Lunch |
Lunch |
Lunch |
Lunch |
Visit the beach: e.g. Kitesurfing at Saunton Sands |
Visit other trainees/friends |
15:00 |
Teaching |
Preparing / filing Exeter Tools |
Teaching |
Teaching |
Preparing / filing Exeter Tools |
Visit the beach: e.g. Kitesurfing at Saunton Sands |
Visit other trainees/friends |
16:00 |
After School Maths Meeting |
Photocopying |
Gym/Exercise |
Photocopying |
Commute |
Visit the beach: e.g. Kitesurfing at Saunton Sands |
Visit other trainees/friends |
17:00 |
Commute |
Commute |
Commute |
Commute |
Personal Time |
Visit Friends |
Prep for the week ahead |
18:00 |
Dinner |
Dinner |
Dinner |
Dinner |
Dinner |
Dinner |
Dinner |
19:00 |
Planning |
Personal Time |
Planning |
Personal Time |
Personal Time |
Visit Friends |
|
20:00 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Becky
PGCE Secondary with Modern Foreign Languages
I feel that at Exeter, the time spent at university in Term 1 gave me a lot of ideas to test out when it came to entering schools. A lot of trainees struggle with coming up with ideas for activities, but we had so many that we were desperate to try out in a real classroom scenario. The peer teaching and theoretical knowledge that you acquire before entering a placement, allows you to build confidence and have some idea of what you are doing before you are let loose in schools!
The subject tutors are experienced and knowledgeable and will do everything possible to help you at every stage of your training. The links that the University have with its partner schools are brilliant and it will allow you to have such a range of experiences throughout your training year. All in all, the course will set you up very well for your future career.
Below is an example of my typical week during placement:
|
Monday |
Tuesday |
Wednesday |
Thursday |
Friday |
Saturday |
Sunday |
08:00 |
Set up lessons for the morning/ Morning briefing/ Tutor time |
Set up lessons for the morning/ House meeting/Assembly |
Set up lessons for the morning/Morning briefing/ Tutor time |
Set up lessons for the morning/Faculty meeting/Tutor time |
Set up lessons for the morning/ Faculty meeting/ Tutor time |
Sleep!! |
|
09:00 |
Period 1 |
Period 1 |
Period 1 |
Period 1 |
Period 1 |
Household chores |
|
10:00 |
Period 2 |
Period 2 |
Period 2 |
Period 2 |
Period 2 |
||
11:00 |
break time |
break time |
11-11.20- break time |
11-11.20- break time |
11-11.20- break time |
Coffee/ lunch/ Food shopping |
Roast dinner and a catch up with family |
11:20 |
Period 3 |
Period 3 |
Period 3 |
Period 3 |
Period 3 |
||
12:20 |
Period 4
|
Period 4
|
Period 4
|
Period 4
|
Period 4
|
||
13:20 |
Lunch |
Lunch |
Lunch |
Lunch |
Lunch |
|
|
14:00 |
Period 5 |
Period 5 |
Period 5 |
Period 5 |
Period 5 |
Watch football with fiancé. |
|
15:00 |
Sometimes bus duty/ detention duty faculty meetings |
Y11 revision session |
Sometimes bus duty/ detention duty faculty meetings |
Period 6 with A-Level |
Plan lessons for Monday |
||
16:00 |
Plan lessons for next day |
Plan lessons for next day |
Plan lessons for next day |
Plan lessons for next day |
Marking if necessary |
BBQ (weather dependent!) |
Prepare for the week ahead |
17:00 |
Marking if necessary |
Marking if necessary |
Marking if necessary |
Marking if necessary |
Home |
||
18:00 |
Home |
Home |
Home |
Home |
Gym |
||
19:00 |
Dinner |
Dinner |
Gym |
Dinner |
Dinner |
||
20:00 |
Gym |
Chill |
Dinner |
Chill |
|
I really enjoyed the taught part of the course at the university. It was great to be a student again, to meet lots of other lovely people who shared my love of teaching and to enjoy a university social life after being in a full-time job for so long!
The subject and pedagogy sessions at the university were fun and interesting, although I kept having to remind myself that I wasn’t just there to enjoy being taught by great teachers, but also to reflect on how we were being taught so that we could try out some of the techniques and activities for ourselves once we were in our school placements.
Joseph
PGCE Secondary Biology