The PCP SCITT Primary (5-11) PGCE will enable you to become a confident, dynamic and creative professional who enjoys teaching and knows how to make a difference to children’s lives. It leads to Qualified Teacher Status (QTS), and a Postgraduate Certificate in Education (PGCE) from Bath Spa University
Our programme is school-based, meaning you will be involved in school life from the very beginning of your training year. You will spend 4 days a week in a partnership school near you, helping you foster good relationships with pupils, staff and the school community. You will be supported by a trained mentor to put theory into practice in the classroom as you increase your teaching skills throughout your training year.
Central training takes place each Friday at the PCP Centre in Southampton. Lectures, workshops and seminars are led by experienced education professionals and senior leaders who are experts in their field.
- Course Length: 1 Year
- Start Date: September 2025
Key features of the PCP PGCE programme:
- A 45 week school-based course, leading to a PGCE with Masters credits and Qualified Teacher Status
- A carefully designed course that blends central training with school-based, hands-on learning
- 4 days a week in school; 1 day a week at the training.
- Train to teach pupils aged 5-11 or 3-7
- Rated Outstanding by Ofsted since 2019
School-based Training:
The PCP SCITT Primary (5-11) PGCE course is school-centred, meaning the majority of your time will be spent in schools. You will have the opportunity to teach in Key Stage 1 and Key Stage 2.
School-based training is supervised by a school mentor, usually the class teacher, who guides trainees as they put into practice the techniques and knowledge learned during central training sessions. At the start of the programme trainees work alongside their mentor. As trainees develop their skills, they are supported to take on greater independence and responsibility for whole class teaching including planning, teaching and assessing. Mentors meet with trainees on a weekly basis to provide feedback, offer support, and set achievable development goals.
Trainees are also allocated a SCITT lead mentor, who quality assures the school-based training and provides additional support and advice. PCP mentors and lead mentors are chosen for their professional expertise and undertake yearly professional development to ensure PCP trainees receive high quality training.
Centre-based training:
Weekly SCITT central training sessions are held in Southampton. Workshops and seminars are led by experienced education professionals and senior leaders. Subject sessions cover the core curriculum areas of English, Maths and Science and introduce the full range of non-core subjects. Professional Studies sessions draw on up-to-date research to progressively build on trainees’ understanding of the theory and practice of teaching and learning. Particular importance is placed on subject knowledge for teaching and high-quality teaching practices that support strong pupil progress.
Assessment opportunities support trainees in meeting the summative assessment of mastery of the Teachers’ Standards (2011) and the requirements for PGCE Master’s credits through Bath Spa University. Over the year, trainees undertake two written assignments to deepen their understanding of core professional theory and practice. Assessed teaching observations and ongoing feedback supports trainees in knowing exactly how they are progressing and their next steps to reach even higher standards of professional practice.
- With the course being so school-centred, it meant that we quickly got to put the theory into practice. Now I've completed my first term as a teacher, I wanted to say thanks for all the help and support last year. I felt as prepared as I could have been starting my first job!
- I really feel the PCP course has prepared me well to become a teacher. I've already recommended it to two people and will continue to do so.
- I am so pleased that I applied and was accepted onto this course. It has provided me with an excellent start to teaching and the supportive and caring approach of course leaders and trainees has really helped me to develop.
- The people at the training centre have been so helpful and you get a real sense that everybody wants you to do your best.
