Programme overview

Religious Education (RE) is an important and necessary element of a broad and balanced school curriculum. RE enables pupils to understand the beliefs and practices of different religious people, and people of no faith. A wide range of world views which make up our pluralist and multi-faith society is explored.

The RE PGCE offers an insight into the complexities of the subject; opportunities to explore a range of approaches to teaching RE; group discussions and subject specialist support throughout the PGCE year.

On our programme we consider the nature of religion as well as the place of religion in school life. We explore the reasons for teaching RE in schools and give guidance on how to teach the subject.

What you will learn

You will be introduced to and explore:

• the key aims of RE
• alternative pedagogical approaches to the subject
• the general process of learning and teaching
• planning lessons that meet the requirements of the RE curriculum
• how to assess pupil’s work and support them to GCSE and A-Level.

Who this is for

You do not need a degree in Religious Studies to apply; we would love to hear from you if you have a degree in Anthropology, Philosophy, Sociology or Psychology and are interested in becoming a teacher of RE.

Experiences in school

Primary school experience

There will be a short primary school experience during the PGCE year.  This work allows you to understand the child's experience before they go into secondary school. 

Induction phase

During the first term, you begin with preliminary visits to a secondary school. These visits will help prepare you for a shorter placement in that school.

Assimilation phase

In the spring term, you will be on placement in a different secondary school. This placement will last the duration of the spring term.

Extension phase

You will have another placement in the third term, possibly in a different school again.

Benefits

You will benefit greatly from having your placements spread across different schools. They will provide you with the opportunity to:

• compare and contrast your experiences
• face different challenges and achieve different triumphs
• see different teaching styles
• learn how you can adapt to different situations.

By the end of your third teaching placement, you will have developed into a confident teacher with your own teaching style.

We will support you throughout your teaching experiences and you have a mentor in school. These specially trained teachers are committed to developing your practice in the classroom.

Opportunities

You will further develop your existing subject knowledge and teaching experience through:

• a series of trips to places of worship
• taught sessions by national experts from the world of RE or local representatives from faith and non-faith organisations
• visits to sites of religious interest
• working with experienced teachers both in school and at the university.