PGCE Secondary Geography

Develop your teaching skills, and qualify as a secondary geography teacher, with our PGCE Secondary Education with Geography course.

At the Institute of Education, you’ll be trained to teach children from secondary school intake at the age of 11 to the end of their A-levels. 

How you’ll learn

Our PGCE Geography course combines theory, research and practical classroom experience with children of different ages. You’ll explore a range of pedagogical approaches to geography teaching – physical, human and environmental. 

You will learn through a series of seminars and workshops in a well-resourced campus environment, as well as in the field. You’ll also have the opportunity to use GIS software during your training, and to conduct and reflect upon fieldwork.

Throughout your course, you will:

• attend presentations by subject experts
• work on tasks in groups
• have individual tutorials
• write assignments on aspects of teaching and professional studies
• visit schools or other education settings, as well as museums and other sites of interest.

Qualified Teacher Status

This Post Graduate Certificate in Education (PGCE) Secondary Geography course leads to the award of Qualified Teacher Status (QTS), qualifying you to teach the 11-18 age group in secondary schools in England and Wales.

Your learning environment

We offer a diverse and experienced community of academics with extensive school teaching and academic experience. You'll be taught by staff who are nationally renowned for their expertise in geography education.

Alongside University of Reading tutors, you will be taught and guided by a team of committed and experienced University-trained school mentors.

Your learning activities will help you develop a toolkit of knowledge and skills, ensuring you are well prepared to tackle challenges and opportunities throughout your training and your career.

Technological facilities

At Reading, we embrace cutting-edge geography and maintain up-to-date knowledge of technology in teaching, such as ArcGIS and Digimaps. This software is used in your training and then applied in lessons in schools.

Fieldwork

One focus of our PGCE Geography programme is fieldwork. You will have the opportunity to participate in a residential trip, allowing you to reflect on how to facilitate high-quality learning outside the classroom.

Links with the geographical community

Our course has links with the Geographical Association, the Geological Society, Ordnance Survey, and the Royal Geographical Society – all of whom provide guest speakers to our training sessions. We also invite local Heads of Department, teachers and school mentors to participate in your learning.

Partnership with schools

This course is designed in collaboration with our strong schools partnership, ensuring that it meets both your needs as a learner and the needs of the children you teach.

At secondary level, we have relationships with around 90 schools in the local and surrounding area. It is a testament to the strength of these partnerships and the reputation of our graduates, that most schools in Berkshire employ at least one graduate from the University of Reading.

Placements

Placements enable you to develop the skills and knowledge valued by employers. You'll build your confidence in the classroom and gain practical teaching experience.

Placements also provide you with the opportunity to connect with potential employers and build your professional network.

On this secondary PGCE course, you are required to carry out three placements in two age groups – ensuring that you receive a broad range of experiences. Two placements must be undertaken in a school setting, but the third can be taken in a different setting – allowing you to sample teaching in an alternative environment.

In your school placement, you will:

• gain experience in the range of responsibilities of the classroom teacher
• observe other teachers
• plan the teaching of small groups and whole classes
• plan and teach elements of lessons and whole lessons
• reflect on and evaluate your teaching
• receive feedback on your teaching.

We offer a flexible and broad range of educational environments. You'll have the opportunity to gain experience in:

• special needs schools
• Pupil Referral Units
• independent schools
• museums
• charities.

Research

98% of our research is of international standing (REF 2021, combining 4*, 3* and 2* submissions – Education).

For more information, please visit the Institute of Education website.