PGCE Secondary Science: Physics

Develop your teaching skills, and qualify as a secondary physics teacher, on our PGCE Secondary Education with Physics course at the Institute of Education.

Choose PGCE Secondary Science with Physics at the University of Reading

• This PGCE secondary science course leads 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.
• 98% of our leavers are in work and/or study 15 months after the end of their course (based on our analysis of HESA © HESA 2024, Graduate Outcomes Survey 2021/22, includes postgraduate (taught) Institute of Education responders.)
• 98% of our research is of international standing (Research Excellence Framework 2021, combining 4*, 3* and 2* submissions – Education).

To find out more visit the Institute of Education website.

What you’ll learn

You’ll develop your skills throughout the programme so that you are ready to share your love of learning and knowledge about science with the children you'll teach.

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

You'll develop the professional skills to:

• respond flexibly to changing circumstances
• maintain and enhance educational standards in secondary schools
• continue to develop your knowledge, skills and understanding throughout your professional life.

You'll gain the expertise to:

• plan, deliver and evaluate lessons that meet the national curriculum and assessment requirements
• monitor students’ achievements
• understand how to help each individual student reach their potential.

Life in the Institute of Education

The Institute of Education is a high-quality teacher training facility with extensive support, pastoral care, and excellent employment rates for graduates.

Our distinctive secondary PGCE courses are planned and delivered in collaboration with partner schools, other child-based settings and the local community.

At the Institute of Education, we have created an open, inclusive environment that promotes a sense of wellbeing and belonging. You’ll benefit from an experienced community of academics, with a breadth of expertise and experience of influencing education policy.

We pride ourselves on creating and nurturing a community where students are recognised and valued as individuals.

How we support you

• You will enjoy high levels of personal attention and strong support throughout your studies, training you to become a confident, resilient, creative and ambitious teacher.
• Your tutors are on hand to offer regular guidance and support, ensuring any potential issues are addressed as early as possible.
• Our relationship with you continues beyond your training and graduation. We recognise the demands placed on our new Early Career Teachers and continue to support you throughout the transition.

How you’ll learn

You'll learn through a series of lectures, practical seminars and workshops, where interactive and discussion-based techniques will encourage you to engage, reflect and challenge.

Some of our staff have national or international reputations as experts in their fields, and their research directly informs your learning.

• Read about Dr Natthapoj Vincent Trakulphadetkrai, a Lecturer in Primary Mathematics Education at the University of Reading. His research is centred around the use of storytelling to help enrich mathematics teaching and learning.

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

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 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 scientific community

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.

Institute of Education research

The University of Reading's Institute of Education is rated in the top quartile of education departments in the UK. 98% of our research is of international standing (REF 2021, combining 4*, 3* and 2* submissions – Education).

Discover more about our research:

• Language and literacy in education
• Improving equity and inclusion through education.