PGCE 5-11 with SEND
R854At the Institute of Education at the University of Winchester, we know what you need to learn and understand to thrive in the classroom. We know how important it is that teachers are autonomous, innovative, critical and reflective practitioners with the knowledge, skills and confidence to enable all children to grow and learn.
Course overview
Established in 1840 as a teacher training college and graded as Outstanding by Ofsted, the University of Winchester has a credible reputation for high-quality teacher education programmes.
Our highly sought-after graduates are equipped to succeed. We know that teachers need to be able to rise to the challenges of becoming a teacher and have the knowledge, understanding, skills and vision to be future leaders and innovators we want them to be.
Mastering how to teach well really matters. Our curriculum will enable you to develop strong subject knowledge, learn how to teach all primary subjects effectively, innovate, and meet the needs of the children you will teach.
We firmly believe that every teacher is a teacher of SEND. This course goes a step further, catering for those who wish to deepen their knowledge and specialise in special educational needs and disabilities.
We are proud to be collaborating with Southampton Inclusion Partnership on this new course (https://www.southamptoninclusion.net/aboutus) and build upon their specialist knowledge of special educational needs and disabilities. The SIP alliance aims to empower the learning and lives of children with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND) and make a real difference to the lives of their families. Our PGCE Primary 5-11 with SEND will help you develop the knowledge, skills and understanding to support this vision.
As part of their campus-based training, our SEND students receive additional sessions explicitly focused on the skills, strategies and frameworks you'll need to understand to teach in a SEND setting or resource provision unit.
PGCE Primary is a postgraduate professional programme of Initial Teacher Education (ITE) leading to the academic awards of either a Postgraduate Certificate in Education or a Professional Graduate Certificate in Education. Both awards include the recommendation of Qualified Teacher Status (QTS). Your QTS Status allows you teach any age range, however this programme prepares you to teach particular age ranges.
The course covers everything that student teachers need to develop the professional skills associated with high-quality teaching:
- expert tuition in all primary school subjects,
- understanding of how children learn and effective pedagogy,
- meeting the needs of all learners, and
- professional skills associated with high-quality teaching.
The course provides the opportunity to learn to teach in a stimulating and supportive environment from tutors with extensive expertise and experience. You leave the programme as a high-quality postgraduate teacher with the skills, knowledge and motivation to inspire and educate others.
Our programme runs in close partnership with over 400 schools in the region, from large urban schools to small village schools serving diverse communities. Our extensive network of schools provides you with a variety of school experiences where you will apply what you have learned on campus, deepen your understanding of critical theories and refine your practice. Southampton Inclusion Partnership works with an extensive network of SEND settings, which provide a diverse range of training opportunities. Supported by your Teacher Mentor and Link Tutor, you will undertake two assessed placements (totalling 120 days), developing your understanding and skills through classroom practice. You will spend a further 20 days engaged in Intensive Training and Practice (ITAP) weeks, where you will develop a reflective approach to your practice and the ability to work flexibly, responsively, and effectively in the classroom,
Our highly practical programme is constantly reviewed with serving practitioners and experts to ensure students are equipped with the most up-to-date developments in primary education.
Working closely with our school partners helps ensure what you learn is informed by the latest research and current practice. Teachers and Senior Leaders from our Partnership schools contribute to the programme, from recruitment to preparation to be Early Career Teachers, to ensure the University supports ongoing teacher development.
Choosing the 5-11 SEND route allows you to:
- Develop a deep knowledge and understanding of inclusive primary practice which involves the National Curriculum exploration of the and key pedagogies and theories in meeting the needs of individual learners with SEND.
- Gain enhanced understanding and knowledge of specialist provision in an SEND setting.
- Develop SEND expertise through working closely with SEND expert colleagues from a diverse range of settings.
The programme prides itself on the support and guidance offered to students. Every student has a Professional Development Tutor who monitors and supports their progress through the programme. Progress is tracked both academically and professionally to demonstrate that you have met the Teachers' Standards (Department for Education 2012) by the end of your training.
We are accredited by the Department for Education (DfE) to deliver Initial Teacher training programmes to achieve Qualified Teacher Status (QTS).
The PGCE counts as 60 Master's credits, equating to 1/3 of a Masters.
A sustained reputation for providing outstanding teacher education. Rated Outstanding in all areas in our 2024 inspection.
What you need to know
Course start date
September
Location
Winchester campus
Course length
- 1 year
- Full time
Apply
R854
Typical offer
Honours degree, with an expected second-class award or above
Fees
From £9,250 pa
Course features
- Become a great teacher – on an Ofsted-rated 'Outstanding' programme
- Benefit from working with experts in special educational needs and disabilities based in special school settings
- Learn through practical, interactive and informative seminars on all National Curriculum subjects, AEN, Early Years and professional practice
- Develop your understanding of what it means to be a teacher and the kind of teacher you are destined to be
- Learn with our experienced team of research-informed expert tutors who are innovators and leaders in their fields, with a passion for their subjects and a deep understanding of pedagogy
- Gain excellent, practical experience with two school placements: one in Key Stage One class in a mainstream school and one in a Special School, which will enable you to develop as a SEND skilled teacher
Course details
Why choose the PGCE Primary 5-11 with SEND route?
Choosing the 5-11 SEND route allows you to:
- Develop a deep knowledge and understanding of inclusive primary practice which involves the National Curriculum exploration of the and key pedagogies and theories in meeting the needs of individual learners with SEND.
- Gain enhanced understanding and knowledge of specialist provision in an SEND setting.
- Develop SEND expertise through working closely with SEND expert colleagues from a diverse range of settings.
Supporting you in your journey to become a future teacher?
The programme prides itself on the support and guidance offered to students. Every student has a Professional Development Tutor who monitors and supports their progress through the programme. Progress is tracked both academically and professionally to demonstrate that you have met the Teachers' Standards (Department for Education 2012) by the end of your training.
Learning and teaching
Tutors with extensive experience and expertise of primary phase education support student learning through a range of teaching methods including lectures, seminars, workshops, tutorials, and number of technological channels including online discussion forums.
Attendance regulations
There is a requirement for students to complete 120 days in school - students cannot be recommended for QTS unless we have evidence that they have completed these days. The penalty for not completing 120 days in school is that they cannot be recommended for QTS but students can still receive the academic award. For more information about our regulations for this course, please see our Academic Regulations, Policies and Procedures library.
Location
The taught elements of the course take place on campus at The University of Winchester where you will have the benefit of all the resources the University has to offer including: an extensive library (inc. online access), teaching resources that can be used in placement schools, student services and much more.
You will spend 120 days on school placement with a further 20 days focusing on a series of carefully planned Intensive Training and Practice days (ITAP). ITAP days take place at key points in the year and focus on four key areas of learning such as creating positive learning environments, assessment, explaining and modelling. During these days, school-based mentors and training leads work together to support you to rehearse, practice and revise key teaching principles first on campus and then in school. This makes the links stronger between theory and practice.
Teaching placements are organised by the University. They are predominantly in Hampshire schools and we also work in partnership with schools in Dorset, Wiltshire, Berkshire and Surrey. Placement allocations are informed by your location, travel options and the experiences you need. Our special school placements cover a wide variety of both Primary and Secondary schools that specialise in Profound and Multiple Learning Difficulties, Severe Learning Difficulties and Social Emotional and Mental Health.
Assessment
Modules are assessed either by assignment or by an achievement of success against the Teachers' Standards (Department for Education 2012). Assignments are varied to capture students' differing strengths and include essays, presentations and practitioner enquiry reports. Feedback is given with all assignments in order that students can improve their academic writing as the programme progresses. School placements are assessed through graded observations measured against the Teachers' Standards (Department of Education 2012).
The observations include detailed feedback, usually made by the class teacher and a university link-tutor mentor.
Our validated courses may adopt a range of means of assessing your learning. An indicative, and not necessarily comprehensive, list of assessment types you might encounter includes essays, portfolios, supervised independent work, presentations, written exams, or practical performances.
We ensure all students have an equal opportunity to achieve module learning outcomes. As such, where appropriate and necessary, students with recognised disabilities may have alternative assignments set that continue to test how successfully they have met the module's learning outcomes. Further details on assessment types used on the course you are interested in can be found on the course page, by attending an Open Day or Open Evening, or contacting our teaching staff.
Feedback
We are committed to providing timely and appropriate feedback to you on your academic progress and achievement in order to enable you to reflect on your progress and plan your academic and skills development effectively. You are also encouraged to seek additional feedback from your course tutors.
Further information
For more information about our regulations for this course, please see our Policies and Regulations
This programme is subject to validation
Accreditation
We are accredited by the Department for Education (DfE) to deliver Initial Teacher training programmes to achieve Qualified Teacher Status (QTS).
The PGCE counts as 60 Master's credits, equating to 1/3 of a Masters.
Modules
Modules
This module will develop critical understanding of what it means to be a teacher in the mid 2020s and some of the policy and societal issues that inform and shape the role. Key theories, or ‘big ideas’, underpin the module, forming strands of learning that will be explored during curriculum sessions. Students will be introduced to the professional expectations and responsibilities associated with being an educator. They will develop their understanding of key pedagogies, planning and assessment and the importance of reflective practice.
As part of this module student will receive additional, mandatory sessions relevant to their route
This module will introduce students to the structure, key concepts and specialist subject knowledge of curriculum subjects. Informed by research and contemporary policy, students will examine teaching approaches likely to engage children and promote learning. Students will explore one area of the curriculum for their assignment.
The module focuses on understanding child development and meeting individual needs. Students will engage in current issues relating to inclusion and additional needs and will develop some specialist knowledge of specific learning requirements. In addition, students will consider the role of other adults, parents and agencies in protecting children’s social, emotional and educational wellbeing.
Whilst on school-based professional placement, students will be guided and supported by a teacher mentor. Students will become familiar with the class and school policies and plan and teach groups and whole class lessons focusing on explaining and modelling, and establishing positive learning environments. They will progress to whole class teaching and rehearse and refine effective behaviour management and assessment strategies. Students will engage in continual reflective practice, collecting evidence and evaluating and recording their personal and professional progress. Students will engage in ITAP sequences as part of this professional placement.
Entry requirements
A first or second-class Honours degree (or equivalent qualification). This can be in any subject.
GCSE English language or literature, mathematics and a science at grade C or 4 or above, or an equivalent qualification recognised by the University. If you have taken a combined Science GCSE, a minimum grade of 4-3 is required.
You will need to provide original certificates to the University. If you only hold a ‘statement of provisional results’ and do not hold original certificates, please contact the relevant awarding body to obtain a ‘certified statement of results’ as soon as possible. Further information about obtaining a replacement exam certificate is available on the gov.uk website.
Functional Skills, Key Skills, Adult Numeracy and Adult Literacy qualifications are not accepted by the University as GCSE equivalents.
If you do not hold GCSE qualifications, please contact us to confirm that we are able to accept the qualification you hold.
We will look for evidence of a commitment to the teaching profession, an understanding of professional requirements, and an awareness of current educational issues in an application. Prior experience in a school is not required, however prospective students may find experience in a school useful for obtaining insights into the primary education classroom. Experience in a school or similar setting may also provide reassurance to prospective students that teaching is the right choice for their career.
We will also look for you demonstrate competency in Fundamental skills in English and mathematics during the selection process.
Childcare Disqualification
Student teachers who are enrolled on an initial teacher education programme at the University, including school-led programmes, which involve placement in a primary school or setting in its later years provision and/or early years provision (nursery and reception classes) need to be aware of the following requirements: Childcare Disqualification.
If you meet all of the above criteria or are expecting to meet the criteria prior to the course start date, you have a strong chance of being invited to interview.
If you are offered a place after attending an interview you will need to meet the following additional requirements. The University will send you more information about when and how you need to complete each of these tasks if you accept our offer.
- Obtain enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) clearance check after accepting an offer. Please note, the cost of the clearance check is covered by the applicant. If you interrupt your studies and return the following academic year you may be required to pay for a new DBS clearance check.
- If you have spent over 6 months outside the UK in the last 5 years you will be required to obtain criminal records checks from each of the countries you lived in for over 6 months continuously. Further information about obtaining a criminal records check from outside the UK is available on the gov.uk website. Please note, obtaining criminal records checks from other countries can take a long time.
- You will also be required to complete an occupational health check to confirm that you are fit to teach.
- We advise anyone wanting to join our specialist PGCE with SEND course to spend at least a day in a special school before starting the course.
- All applicants are also subject to checks against the Secretary of State’s Teacher Prohibition Orders.
Interviews include representatives from the University, the SEND team or the Southampton Inclusion Partnership. Our interview process has been carefully adapted to ensure you get the very best from the experience. We give you information about our course, answer any questions and include lots of opportunities for you to get to know us better so you can make an informed decision.
Our interview process includes:
- a group task and presentation
- an interview
- a brief written and maths task
How to apply
The way to apply for postgraduate teacher training in England has changed. You can now use Apply for teacher training, a new GOV.UK service.
Apply for teacher training is easy to use and gives clear guidance to help potential teachers make strong applications.
To learn more about the new service and to get help with your application, visit Get into Teaching.
Get in touch
If you have any questions about the course or studying at Winchester, please get in touch using our Ask a Question form and we will get back to you shortly.
If English is not your first language: IELTS 7.0 overall (including 7.0 in academic writing) or equivalent is required.
If you have completed your qualifications outside the UK, the Department for Education (DfE) are able to help you obtain a UK National Academic Recognition Information Centre (NARIC) statement of comparability for free. For further information, please visit the get into teaching website.
If you have spent over 6 months outside the UK in the last 5 years you will be required to obtain criminal records checks from each of the countries you lived in for over 6 months continuously. Further information about obtaining a criminal records check from outside the UK is available on the gov.uk website. Please note, obtaining criminal records checks from other countries can take a long time.
If you are living outside of the UK or Europe, you can find out more about how to join this course by emailing our International Recruitment Team at International@winchester.ac.uk
Additional costs
2025 COURSE TUITION FEES
UK/ Channel Islands/ Isle of Man/ Republic of Ireland
Full time: £9,250
International
Full time: £16,700
International part-time fees are calculated on a pro rata basis of the full-time fee for a 120 credit course. The fee for a single credit is £139.17 and a 15 credit module is £2,087.
If you are a UK student starting your degree in January / September 2024, the first year will cost you £9,250**.
If finance is a worry for you, we are here to help. Take a look at the range of support we have on offer. This is a great investment you are making in your future, so make sure you know what is on offer to support you.
**The University of Winchester will charge the maximum approved tuition fee per year.
As one of our students all of your teaching and assessments are included in your tuition fees, including, lectures/guest lectures and tutorials, seminars, laboratory sessions and specialist teaching facilities. You will also have access to a wide range of student support and IT services.
Mandatory
Placements
The programme includes a significant number of days on placement, these placements may be closer or further from your home than the University of Winchester. Currently the University expects students to travel up to 90 mins to reach their placement and to cover the costs of travel themselves.
Occupational Health Check
The University will pay for an occupational health assessment; however, you may need to pay for immunisations if they are not covered by your GP. Once applicants accept their offer of a place, we will send instructions on how to submit your health declaration information and what is required.
Disclosure and Barring Service
All students who accept an offer for this course are required to obtain an Enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) clearance check. Please note, the cost of the check is £49.50 and covering the cost is the responsibility of the student.
In addition to the check, all students are strongly encouraged to sign up to use the DBS Update Service [https://www.gov.uk/dbs-update-service] for the duration of their course. Students who fail to sign up to the Update Service may be required to complete and pay for an additional check during their course which may affect their ability to engage successfully with placement.
SCHOLARSHIPS, BURSARIES AND AWARDS
We have a variety of scholarship and bursaries available to support you financially with the cost of your course. To see if you’re eligible, please see our Scholarships and Awards.
CAREER PROSPECTS
Winchester PGCE graduates have a high employment rate and are highly respected in the region and beyond. We provide support for applying for teaching posts as part of the course. Most of our students take up a position in teaching. Many local Headteachers and Deputy Headteachers are Winchester graduates. Occasionally, graduates pursue other careers using the range of transferable skills gained during study.
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