University courses to increase number of maths and science teachers

New courses aimed at creating more maths, chemistry and physics school teachers are being launched at Nottingham Trent University. The Secondary Subject Enhancement Courses will enable graduates to gain specific knowledge in these subject areas, along with a Certificate in Mathematics or Chemistry or Physics, before embarking on a one-year Post Graduate Certificate in Education (PGCE) qualification.

The 26 week courses, funded by the Training and Development Agency for Schools (TDA), and devised by the University’s School of Education, will allow graduates to develop and extend their specific subject knowledge before training to teach.

“This is such an exciting initiative, it really places Nottingham Trent University at the forefront of the TDA’s drive to increase the number of maths, physics and chemistry teachers”, said Robert Bowen, Associate Dean for the School of Education.

He said: “There are many graduates who may have an interest and aptitude for teaching, have taken these subjects at A-level and have a degree in a science or maths-related subject. However they can’t gain a place on the one-year PGCE because the content of their study does not match well with the subject requirements of the current school syllabi. This course is designed for these people.

“We will focus on further developing the student’s enthusiasm for their chosen subject and an appreciation of its application in different contexts, providing a broad and balanced foundation of knowledge and skills.”

In the first year of the course – which will be run from September - students will learn the fundamentals of maths, chemistry or physics, and will spend time in a placement school.

The second PGCE year will include subject application studies, education professional studies and teaching placements in at least two schools.

Graham Holley, Chief Executive of the TDA, said: “Teaching remains one of the top choices of careers for new graduates and career changers alike. Maths and science teachers are in particular demand by schools, and these courses help graduates from a wide range of academic and professional backgrounds to develop the knowledge they need to train to teach these subjects.”