PGCE Secondary: Dance

You will be trained to teach pupils aged 11-18.

The key aim of this programme is to enable students to become confident, knowledgeable, and enthusiastic teachers of Dance. The programme provides opportunities for students to explore the theory and practice of Dance education through a range of lectures, workshops, and tutorials, and to develop their expertise in the classroom through two school placements.

The course will provide students with an awareness of the theoretical foundations of the subject, of strategies for teaching and learning in Dance and of current issues surrounding Dance education. Workshops will enable students to explore a range of practical strategies for teaching dance. Regular tutorials enable students to receive individual support from tutors. Lecturers on the programme are experienced teachers of Dance and they are actively involved in their subject community.

During school placements, students benefit from working alongside experienced teachers of Dance. Students have opportunities to observe excellent teaching before experimenting with approaches to teaching and learning across the secondary age range (11-18), during which time they are supervised and supported by teachers and tutors.

Please note that as a Dance specialist you may be asked by schools to teach other related subjects, typically PE, as schools have limited numbers of Dance classes for you to train in. If you are invited for interview please let your interviewer know what other subjects you have a background in, for instance at A Level.

Applicants should have a degree that includes a substantial element of dance. At interview candidates will be expected to provide and talk through their experiences and to discuss their reflections on teaching and learning in Dance that they may have experienced recently in schools.

Module Information:

Dance 1

This module will enable student teachers to develop their subject knowledge and knowledge of the curriculum in their specialism. It will teach them how to take a research-informed approach to key pedagogical skills, including lesson planning, resource design and assessment, as set out in the current Department for Education's Teachers' Standards. The module should be read in conjunction with the Teaching Experience module to allow student teachers to practise these emerging skills.

Throughout the module, students will be encouraged to think critically about aspects of the curriculum and pedagogy in order to help them to become confident, autonomous professionals. The module will develop the knowledge, skills and attributes applicable to the subject as well as those identified in the Core Content Framework.

Dance 2

This module will enable student teachers to consolidate their knowledge of the curriculum in their subject specialism. It will enhance their ability to use research to plan differentiated lessons and to assess pupil progress (as set out in the Department for Education's Teachers' Standards). The module should be read in conjunction with the Teaching Experience module to allow student teachers to secure their pedagogical skills.

Throughout the module, students will be encouraged to think critically about aspects of the curriculum and pedagogy in order to help them to become confident, autonomous professionals. The module will consolidate the knowledge, skills and attributes applicable to the subject as well as those identified in the Core Content Framework.

If you have specific questions about the programme please email the Head of Secondary ITE, Ruth Seabrook.