Birmingham Newman Direct
From September 2024 we will be a partner school for School Direct with Birmingham Newman University. Before this, we worked for many years in partnership with the Crocketts Alliance supporting School Direct placements and Birmingham Newman University supporting PGCE and Undergraduate placements. As one of their partner schools we have a proven track record of effectively supporting trainees to become successful teachers.
The feedback from previous trainees (including School Direct, PGCE and Undergraduate) is always extremely positive and complimentary. As a trainee, you will be working with a highly skilled, but also caring and supportive team within a school who will do everything they can for you to succeed. You will be allocated an experienced school-based mentor who will support you during the programme. In addition, there will be opportunities to participate fully in the wider aspects of school life. One of the ways our trainees are so successful is their ability to work collegiately by sharing experiences and offering mutual support.
Our partner schools reflect the diverse nature of education on the outskirts of Birmingham, ensuring your placements are varied and increase your chances of finding the school that is right for you.
About the course
Choosing to study a PGCE in primary education is your first step to inspiring children in learning about their world, and at Birmingham Newman University and Tividale Community Primary School, we are eager to support you in joining the teaching profession.
The ‘Birmingham Newman Direct’ programme is an exciting school-based Initial Teacher Education route incorporating both academic and school-based modules and providing trainees with the opportunity to immerse themselves into school life from the very start of their course. The programme is designed to prepare you for teaching within your chosen age range (either 3-7 or 5-11). The university modules are based on five Birmingham Newman curriculum themes: Role of the Teacher; Learning, Teaching and Assessment; Adaptive Practice, Understanding and Managing Behaviours and Subject Knowledge.
Two level 7 modules are studied consecutively in the first and second term. These are worth 30 credits each which can be used towards completing a master’s degree at a later date.
As part of the programme, you will also take part in four intensive training and practice weeks, designed to further your understanding, knowledge and practice in key areas of primary education.
What does the course cover?
The first mandatory level 7 module in the autumn term provides opportunities for you as a trainee teacher to explore and understand in theoretical and practical terms, the meaning of teaching and learning in the context of education and being a teacher. In the spring term, the second level 7 module is uniquely designed for PGCE Primary Birmingham Newman Direct trainees only. On this module you will develop your teacher expertise in leading a subject and carrying out a project in your school setting. It will enable you to develop your practice-based enquiry skills. During this process, your findings will impact your own and your colleagues’ understanding and practice and you will also have the opportunity to reflect on your own progress as a learner.
School-based training is central to the ‘Birmingham Newman Direct’ PGCE and will be a feature of all three terms of your PGCE year. You will undertake placements in at least two primary schools, providing opportunities to observe and practise a range of methods and approaches.
Interview process
Should you be invited for interview, it will be held at Tividale Community Primary School and will last about one hour:
- You will be asked to carry out a 5 minute presentation on a subject given to you prior to interview, read a short story and describe how you would use this in your teaching practice, write a short piece based on a question given on the day and partake in a short interview - questions will be about your views on education, why you want to train to be a teacher and your expectations about the course.
- The interview panel will consist of the Deputy Headteacher and/or Headteacher and a member of staff from Birmingham Newman University.
- You will have the opportunity to ask any questions you may have about the course.
- If you are successful and accept a place, you will have the chance to meet other trainees and current trainees to gain a greater understanding of becoming a trainee.
How school placements work
School-based training is central to the ‘Birmingham Newman Direct’ PGCE and will be a feature of all three terms of your PGCE year. You will undertake placements in at least two primary schools, providing opportunities to observe and practise a range of methods and approaches.
School-based training includes observation of experienced teachers, a structured programme of group and whole class teaching and a series of directed activities to explore wider school issues. In order to support your professional development, this work-related study is organised into three stages: Understanding Professional Practice, Managing the Classroom and Meeting the Standards. Each stage supports your transition from trainee to Early Career Teacher through clear guidance and shared expectations.
Qualifications
Students apply for PGCE courses via DfE Apply. A UK Bachelors Degree (or recognised equivalent qualification) GCSE English Language, Mathematics and Science at grade 4 (or C) or above (or recognised equivalents). Please be aware that whilst these GCSEs are not mandatory at application point, these qualifications must be obtained by enrolment. See the Birmingham Newman website for additional GCSE information. Students will also be required to be assured against a set of fundamental maths and English skills by the end of their initial teacher training.
You will need to obtain Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) clearance and meet the requirements for fitness to train to teach prior to starting the course
International Students
Birmingham Newman University is not licensed by the UK Government to sponsor migrant students under the Student route and is therefore unable to accept applications from international students at present
Personal qualities
Qualities of successful trainees within the Tividale Community Primary School Partnership who have gone on to become successful teachers are:
- Coachable (you are willing to ask questions and act on advice)
- Resilient
- Enthusiastic
- Professional
Disabilities and other needs
Tividale Community Primary School values diversity and the unique contribution that all their staff and trainees bring. If you have a disability, you shouldn’t be dissuaded from applying as our training programme caters for individual needs. Please be in touch for further information about how we can support you.