PGCE Secondary Science: Biology

Develop your teaching skills and qualify as a secondary biology teacher, with our highly regarded PGCE Secondary Education with Biology course at the Institute of Education. 

At the University of Reading, we recognise the importance of teaching children to explore, understand and make sense of their world through science. 

You will be trained to teach biology, physics, and chemistry up to GCSE and biology to A-level.  

How you’ll learn 

Training to teach biology at the University of Reading is an immersive experience utilising many modes of delivery and participation, with active learning at its core.  

Your learning will take place through a series of practical seminars and workshops in purpose-built science laboratories, where interaction and discussion-based techniques will encourage you to engage, reflect and challenge. 

Throughout your course, you will: 

• attend presentations by subject experts 
• work on tasks in groups 
• have individual tutorials 
• visit schools or other education settings, as well as museums and other sites of interest.

You’ll participate in activities designed to help you plan your teaching effectively and imaginatively. You will also discover how to evaluate your skills, particularly in terms of the quality of learning achieved by pupils. 

QTS status

This Postgraduate Certificate in Education (PGCE) Secondary Science course will lead to the award of Qualified Teacher Status (QTS), qualifying you to teach the 11 to 18 age group in secondary schools in England and Wales.  

Your learning environment 

We offer a diverse and experienced community of academics with extensive school teaching and academic experience. You'll be taught by staff who are nationally renowned for their expertise in science education. 

Alongside University of Reading tutors, you will be taught and guided by a team of committed and experienced University-trained school mentors. 

Your learning activities will help you develop a toolkit of knowledge and skills, ensuring you are well prepared to tackle challenges and opportunities throughout your training and your career.

Partnership with schools 

This course is designed in collaboration with our strong schools partnership, ensuring that it meets both your needs as a learner and the needs of the children you teach. At secondary level, we have relationships with around 90 schools in the local and surrounding area. It is a testament to the strength of these partnerships and the reputation of our graduates, that most schools in Berkshire employ at least one graduate from the University of Reading.

Placements 

Placements enable you to develop the skills and knowledge valued by employers. You'll build your confidence in the classroom and gain practical teaching experience. 

Placements also provide you with the opportunity to connect with potential employers and build your professional network. 

On this secondary PGCE course, you are required to carry out three placements in two age groups – ensuring that you receive a broad range of experiences. Two placements must be undertaken in a school setting, but the third can be taken in a different setting – allowing you to sample teaching biology in an alternative environment.  

In your school placement, you will: 

• gain experience in the range of responsibilities of the classroom teacher 
• observe other teachers 
• plan the teaching of small groups and whole classes 
• plan and teach elements of lessons and whole lessons 
• reflect on and evaluate your teaching
• receive feedback on your teaching. 

We offer a flexible and broad range of educational environments. You'll have the opportunity to gain experience in: 

• special needs schools 
• Pupil Referral Units 
• independent schools 
• museums 
• charities.  

Links with the science industry 

Our PGCE science courses have links with the Association for Science Education, the Royal Society of Chemistry, the Institute of Physics, and the Faraday Institute. 

Other academic departments at the University of Reading also provide guest speakers for our education sessions. 

Climate and sustainability education

At the University of Reading, we believe that climate and sustainability education is everyone's responsibility. You will be given access to training that enables you to incorporate climate education into your teaching, as part of our National Climate Education Action Plan. 

You will learn about: 

• what is happening to our climate, how to help children learn about climate and sustainability in an age-appropriate and accessible way, and how to develop your own positioning as a teacher 
• climate justice, the impact of current and future changes to our environment and climate on ourselves and others, and the implications for teachers
• how to translate knowledge and theory into change and personal action through building climate and sustainability education into your planning, teaching and children's learning. 

Visit our Partnering for the Planet site to find out more about the University of Reading’s world-leading work in climate science. 

Research

98% of our research is of international standing (REF 2021, combining 4*, 3* and 2* submissions – Education).  

For more information, please visit the Institute of Education website.