Developer Info

At a glance

• 86% of students rated LJMU’s teacher training as good or very good
• LJMU has over 100 years' experience of delivering teacher education programmes
• Graduates leave the course well equipped to start their career with an e-portfolio and a Career Entry Development Profile
• Postgraduates are highly sought after by employers and over 95% are in work or further study six months after graduation
  

Course overview

This programme trains you to teach all six areas of the National Curriculum: games, gymnastics, dance, swimming, athletic activities and outdoor adventurous activities. You will be able to teach all of these through Key Stage 3 and the majority through Key Stage 4 and GCSE. You will also be given the opportunity to work in your specialism at ‘A’ Level/Advanced GNVQ.

The course will enable you to acquire a broad range of Physical Education experience expertise. Dance specialists are welcome on the course but must train for all areas of the PE National Curriculum as part of the DfEE requirement.

As part of the course, students will undertake two school based placements, during which time they will observe experienced teaching practitioners and develop their own teaching skills through the planning, resourcing and delivery of lessons. A school-based mentor will be allocated on both placements, and regular observations by both internal and external examiners will be undertaken, from which constructive feedback and assessment will be given so as to develop your teaching skills against national standards.

With an outstanding reputation locally, regionally and nationally, the first destination survey places this course well above the national average in terms of graduate employability. Our highly qualified and respected academic staff combine specialist knowledge and creative research with hands-on teaching experience.  Current research interests include: BME in Physical Education (in collaboration with Leeds Met. University); Observation of Subject Mentors for PGCE trainees; CPD in gymnastics; Leadership in Physical Education.

Why study this course at LJMU?

This course has an outstanding reputation both locally, regionally and nationally. The first destination survey has always placed this course well above the national average. The staff who deliver on the course also have an excellent, varied and extensive profile within teacher training.

Introduction to the School

The Faculty of Education, Community and Leisure delivers this course at the IM Marsh Campus. This is a green campus on the south side of the city with excellent views overlooking the River Mersey. The campus has a range of large and small teaching rooms, dance studios, laboratories, a food product development base, textile centre, in-service teacher training centre, traditional and all weather sports pitches and a gym. There are also many organised sporting activities (step aerobics, football etc.) available on campus for students.

There is also a Student Meeting Place incorporating the Student Union shop and cafeteria. The Rose Lane LJMU Accommodation provides local accommodation for postgraduate / mature students. A major food retailer, a good selection of local shops, restaurants, bars and pubs are within walking distance of the campus.

Staff research interests

• BME in Physical Education (collaboration with Leeds Met. University);
• Observation of Subject Mentors for PGCE trainees;
• CPD in gymnastics;
• Leadership in Physical Education.

Research in the Faculty is central to its strategic aims of providing quality education, engaging in enterprise activities and contributing to the regeneration of the region. Structured and directed by Faculty Research Directorate, research supervision is available in the following areas:

• Education
• Sport, Dance and Outdoor Education
• Nutrition and Health
• Leisure and Tourism

Research activity is organised under the aegis of one of five research centres:

1. Centre for Education Studies and Primary Research
2. Centre for Postgraduate and Professional Development
3. Centre for Sport, Dance and Outdoor Education
4. Centre for Tourism, Consumer and Food Studies
5. Centre for Secondary and Vocational Education.

Many projects are of national and international significance and are presented at conferences both at home and abroad.  Research groups are also culturally diverse and reflect the cosmopolitan nature of projects undertaken in the Faculty.

How will I be assessed?

Assessment is continuous throughout the course and includes academic components and the development of a portfolio of evidence of teaching practice. In order to gain Qualified Teacher Status (QTS), successful graduates are required to pass national tests in literacy, numeracy and ICT.

What do past and present students say about the course?

"...the placements were great, the staff were really thoughtful about the range of placements..."

"...there are a wide range of activities including cheerleading, which is great..."

"tutorial support is available all the time, staff really want us to do well..."

"...the most difficult but rewarding year of my life, I made so many genuine friends on this course..."

Entry requirements

You must have a degree or recognised degree equivalent with at least 60% content in the subject area.

Normally applicants are expected to achieve at least a 2:1 honours degree and have at least 35 days working in a secondary school environment (in England or UK). However to be considered for interview with a 2:2 honours degree you must have at least 2 consecutive terms (working in a PE setting) within a 2 year period at the point of application.

This course requires applicants to hold GCSE qualifications at grade C (or equivalent) in Mathematics and English Language prior to applying. LJMU provides GCSE Equivalence Tests – further information is available at www.ljmu.ac.uk/teaching/gcse  Please note that original evidence of GCSE achieved and degree (if already achieved) will be required at interview.

Trainees starting the course from September 2013 will be required to pass the skills tests in Numeracy and Literacy before starting the course. Registering for the tests is available now and you are encouraged to take the tests as soon as possible. Further information can be found at: http://www.education.gov.uk/schools/careers/traininganddevelopment/professional/b00211200/registration 

All successful applicants must attend an interview.

An Enhanced CRB Disclosure check is a requirement of entry onto this course which involves working with children or vulnerable adults during placements. The University will pay the cost of Enhanced CRB Disclosure checks. Please contact us should you require any further information.

• This is a very popular course, we recommend applying as early as possible.
• Our selection and interview procedure generally involves staff from partner schools and includes a written test and a teaching episode.
• All offers made will be conditional on a CRB check and a satisfactory health check and all applicants will be required to complete a medical health questionnaire prior to the start of the course.
  

Application and Selection

All applications for PGCE courses must be made online through the GTTR www.gttr.ac.uk

University Codes
GTTR Code name: LJM
University Code Number: L51

GTTR Course Code

Physical Education: X9C6

If you need help or advice on your individual application, you should call the Customer Service Unit on 0871 468 0 469 (or 0044 871 468 0469 from outside the UK), open Monday to Friday, 08:30-18:00 (UK time). Calls from BT landlines within the UK will cost no more than nine pence per minute. The cost of calls from mobiles and other networks may vary.

Will I be interviewed?

Fees information

For fees and bursary information please visit our Teaching Information Page.

Financial support

Funding for postgraduate Teacher Training

Home and EU students may be eligible for a tuition fee loan to cover the cost of tuition fees and may also be entitled to a tax free bursary from the Training and Development Agency for Schools (TDA). The size of the bursary depends on when you start training and what subject you train to teach.

A student maintenance loan may also be available to help towards accommodation and other living costs and may also be eligible for a non repayable maintenance grant. This grant will be means tested and you can apply through Student Finance England.

For more information please visit www.directgov.co.uk and www.tda.gov.uk

How to apply

GTTR

LJMU's Admissions policy is in line with the University's Equal Opportunities Policy and applications are welcome from all candidates who fulfil the entry criteria. The university has a commitment to equality of opportunity and welcomes application from everyone regardless of age, disability, race or sex. The University is committed to widening participation and therefore will actively consider applicants who do not have a relevant degree but who are able to provide satisfactory evidence of their knowledge in the area. All applicants will be considered by the Recruitment and Selection Panel, if shortlisted applicants will be asked to attend for an interview.

International students

LJMU offers an extensive support system through its international office and study centre. An equivalence to the normal entry requirements is needed for entry. Students must also demonstrate a proficiency in communicating through English, for example with an IELTS tests or equivalent. Please note that because of UK visa restrictions, International students are only permitted to study on a full-time basis. Please contact LJMU’s International Team by visiting www.ljmu.ac.uk/international for more information and advice.

Further information

Please contact the Faculty of Education, Community and Leisure on:

tel: 0151 231 5340
fax: 0151 231 5379
email: Ecl-recruitment@ljmu.ac.uk

If you have any queries relating to LJMU or university life in general please contact:

Course Enquiries
Tel: +44(0)151 231 5090
Email: courses@ljmu.ac.uk
Web: www.ljmu.ac.uk

Employment and careers

Your professional development will be monitored and supported throughout the duration of the course. You will leave with an e-portfolio as well as a Career Entry and Development Profile (CEDP) and well developed reviewing and action planning skills that will stand you in good stead for your professional career.

As a postgraduate student you will be able to take full advantage of the extensive range of advice and guidance available in our World of Work Careers Centre, including our Ready for Work training courses, which cover everything from interview skills to preparing for assessment centre tests.

LJMU also has a dedicated Centre for Entrepreneurship, offering business advice and start-up funding, to students and graduates interested in setting up their own companies or working freelance.

Our World of Work Programme – endorsed by FTSE 100 companies and leading business organisations – offers you the chance to get an additional certificate proving to potential employers that you have the skills and experience they are looking for. No other university in the UK or internationally, offers students the chance to develop these skills and organisations backing the scheme include the Confederation of British Industry, United Utilities, Sony, Siemens, Peugeot Citroen and Marks and Spencer.

LJMU offers a superb environment for postgraduate study and top level research.

Whether you are studying on a taught master's course or embarking on a research degree, LJMU offers you a supportive, flexible academic environment, well-structured programmes and round-the-clock access to extensive resources.

Our research environment is rated as 'world-leading' in a majority of our subjects and all of our postgraduate programmes are taught by academics actively involved in research or consultancy projects with business and industry.

It is this combination of academic expertise and 'real world' experience that ensures LJMU's courses have real currency with potential employers and why over 95% of our postgraduates are in work or further study six months after they graduate (HESA 2010).

We believe this expertise – coupled with world-class academic standards – 75% of LJMU's research is rated as internationally important – puts us in a league of our own.

To find out more about our postgraduate courses and research opportunities plus the range of facilities and support we offer, click on the links opposite.

Why Liverpool?

Liverpool is a fantastic student city, bursting with opportunities and lots of things to do: a legendary music scene that's bigger than just the Beatles, a city centre bursting with clubs, pubs, bars, restaurants and cafes. Plus award-winning shopping facilities, museums, galleries and theatres, not to mention two Premier League football clubs, golf courses, beautiful parks and outstanding countryside a few miles up the motorway.

The city recently won Trip Advisor’s Best Nightlife Destination Award 2011, beating Manchester, London, Glasgow and Brighton. The city has also achieved Purple Flag accreditation, commending Liverpool as a safe place to enjoy a night out.

Liverpool is also a city that is very supportive of all the students who live, work and study in its universities. With such a warm and hospitable culture – Liverpool is the perfect 24-hour student city.