Teacher Training
Train to teach Biology and Physical Education with a Secondary PGCE at the University of Exeter. Gain qualified teacher status and 60 Masters-level credits through expert-led training. You will be part of a cohort of trainees all learning to teach Science and working with a dedicated team of Science teaching experts. Our teacher training is informed by the latest education research within the School of Education, giving you first-hand access to the latest research on classroom practice.
The course DfE Apply code is B346. The University of Exeter's institution code is E84.
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Alongside our general entry requirements for all Secondary PGCE applicants, there are subject-specific entry requirements for Biology specialism applicants.
Typically, successful applicants have a good A-level grade or equivalent in Biology and a 2:2 Honours degree or above in a relevant subject area. Additionally, applicants may have a background in sports science/sports coaching. For applicants who need to develop their Biology subject knowledge to gain access onto a PGCE it is possible to take a Subject Knowledge Enhancement (SKE) course. There are several options available which can be discussed at interview.
If you have a broad science background and aren’t sure which Science subject you should apply to, please contact Dr Luke Graham for an informal discussion.
A practical and interactive course, you will explore the aims of science teaching, school laboratory management and the use of ICT to support science teaching and learning. You will explore the key concepts of Biology and how to apply this knowledge to design practicals, demonstrations and explanations to address pupils’ misconceptions and to make the subject exciting and accessible. You’ll also explore key concepts in teaching Physical Education.
You will train as a science teacher specialising in teaching Key Stage 3-5 Biology, with a grounding in Physics and Chemistry to teach at least Key Stage 3. You will also learn about teaching Physical Education in secondary schools. Due to the additional PE content being delivered, Biology with PE trainees will need to attend the St Luke's campus for 3 days per week during the autumn term rather than the standard 2 days on campus that the rest of the science cohort do.
You’ll also develop the fundamentals of teaching such as behaviour management, assessment, lesson planning, inclusive teaching, and working with the school community and parents. We’ll support you to become a reflective and confident teacher who is able to assess your own achievements and professional development requirements.
Our unique course structure based on the Exeter Model of Initial Teacher Education is praised by Ofsted and used across our subject areas. You will study a specialist Secondary Biology Subject Knowledge, Pedagogy, Research, and Practice module alongside this. The principal aim of this module is to equip you with a comprehensive understanding of the background issues and practice of the current teaching of Science and Biology in secondary schools and give you some additional understanding of the current teaching of Physical Education. In addition, the module seeks to nurture you as a reflective and autonomous professional practitioner, able to identify strengths and areas for development in your subject knowledge and pedagogy, through evaluating current professional practice in relationship to developments in research and curriculum theory.
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