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Train to Teach

PGCE Further Education and Skills

We run a school based initial teacher training course here at Durham Sixth Form Centre. The PGCE Further Education and Skills (FES) is run in association with and accredited by the University of Sunderland.

If you’re thinking about becoming a teacher, we can offer you a course that will satisfy a range of needs. If you are a new graduate, are about to graduate or perhaps considering a change of career, our unique school-based initial teacher training course will provide everything you need to launch a great career as a teacher.

If you have a good degree and possess these qualities then we would love to hear from you.

Why Teach?

Teaching is a hugely rewarding career which allows you to make a difference to students’ lives, while developing your own skills and interacting with a wide range of interesting people. It is a challenging profession which requires resilience, dedication and a love of the job but the benefits of knowing you have played a part in shaping a young person’s life are worth all the hard work.

Why Teach Post-16?

Is your degree one which is only taught post-16? Do you know you want to support those transitioning from school and gaining more independence and maturity? Teaching post-16 is hugely rewarding. We have the students for a relatively short period of time between school and university/apprenticeship/jobs and you could make a great difference to their lives in this time. You could inspire the students in a subject which they may never have encountered before.

How Do We Differ To Other PGCE Courses On Offer?

Our PGCE Further Education and Skills is a school centred initial teacher training programme, accredited by Sunderland University. You will benefit from being in Durham Sixth Form Centre Monday – Friday and get a real feel for teaching in an outstanding school. You will be in lessons from September in this fully immersive experience and gain an immediate insight into what teaching involves.

The academic side of the course is delivered by highly experienced teachers on site for one and a half days per week. Within this time, trainees will benefit from this vast knowledge and experience, demonstrated through the academic programme we have devised which covers a broad range of training areas. These areas include an introduction to teaching and learning, embedding effective assessment, enrichment and developing action research skills. Teaching will be supported by contemporary academic writing and educational research to ensure trainees are provided with a thorough knowledge of current educational policy and practice. In addition trainees will spend the rest of the week in department areas teaching, mentoring and supporting teachers.

Why Train To Teach At Durham Sixth Form Centre?

Careers Insight

The PGCE Further Education and Skills at Durham Sixth Form Centre comes with the opportunity to undertake the dual award, subject to availability and demand. This would mean that you would be able to gain teaching experience in more than one subject area which is linked to your degree subject.

Those who complete their initial teacher training here at Durham Sixth Form Centre through the PGCE Further Education and Skills course usually go on to complete QTLS the following year alongside their teaching roles to further develop themselves as teachers.

Fees

The PGCE Further Education and Skills is a fee paying course delivered in-house at Durham Sixth Form and accredited by Sunderland University, subject to revalidation. Student Finance is available to assist with fees and there are bursaries available for certain subjects which will offer additional financial support.

For more information about the University of Sunderland click here.

Testimonials

Find out what previous trainee teachers have said about training to teach with Durham Sixth Form Centre

The support that I received from both my tutor and my mentor has made the workload very manageable. The Sixth Form has set high standards for staff in terms of teaching standards and professional conduct and I can say with absolute certainty that striving to meet these expectations has made me a better teacher and given me the knowledge and tools I need to be a successful teacher.

Former PGCE Further Education and Skills Student

Every teacher, every support staff, every school leader that I have come in contact with is good at what they do, and that is pretty remarkable. They are aiming to be better, and it creates this culture of improvement and striving for excellence that goes all the way to the top.

Former PGCE Further Education and Skills Student

I felt part of the organisation straight away as a professional, and the organisation’s ethos and atmosphere was really encouraging to work in. I think it is important to mention the benefit of learning to teach in an outstanding school. And when I say that I don’t only mean the Ofsted rating, which is outstanding, but just the quality of the culture and the staff.

Former PGCE Further Education and Skills Student

I always felt that I was a valuable member of the department. I felt that I could contribute right at the beginning. You will be given lots of opportunities to grow both as a person and as a teacher, and you will be able to inspire students the same way that you have been inspired yourself.

Former PGCE Further Education and Skills Student

I was given time to create resources and share them with the department, and plan lessons under the guidance of my mentor. I was able to contribute fully to department meetings, so I felt like my ideas and my contributions were valued, and I started to gain confidence as a new teacher.

Former PGCE Further Education and Skills Student

I wanted to have an impact on young people’s lives, the way that my teachers did when I was a student here. It was important to have the opportunity to come back to train in a place that has outstanding teachers, so I knew that I would be getting the best possible guidance and support, coming into such a challenging career. The pastoral support you receive from your mentor is amazing, it’s a really supportive environment to learn to teach in.

Former PGCE Further Education and Skills Student