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PGCE Citizenship

Last post 19/04/12 at 19:08 by ASO38, 25 replies
Post started by hifibug on 02/12/11 at 22:56

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  • hifibug avatar
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    Posted by: hifibug 02/12/2011 at 22:56
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    Hi all,

     

    I need some help relating to a choice of PGCE. I had my hearts set on a PGCE Social Science at the Institute of Education, but was told that they are now only accepting applicants with Sociology or Psychology as their main degree. Unfortunately, my BA degree is in Political Science and International Studies and my MA is in Global Security, Terrorism and International Crime. My A levels are in Psychology, Sociology and Politics. Would a PGCE in Citizenship be suitable for me?

     I have noticed that the PGCE in Citizenship does list applicants with Politics degrees as suitable candidates. I would ideally like to be teaching Sociology, Politics and other Humanities type subjects as I have a keen passion for these subjects. I have a number of queries:

     (1) What subjects would you be asked to teach when completing your placement on the PGCE Citizenship?

    (2) What subjects do most teachers in PGCE Citizenship usually teach and do they do many Post 16 subjects such as Sociology and Politics if they find a job in a school. 

    Please help as I do see myself working in the education sector as a teacher and I am currently working as a teaching assistant to improve my experience and skills.

     

     
  • GruffyMax avatar
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    Posted by: GruffyMax 03/12/2011 at 18:49
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    Have a read of the 'Is citizenship dead' thread, if I were you I wouldn't do a citizenship PGCE, jobs are thin on the ground & signs are pointing towards its end a a subject.

    Furthermore, as far as I'm aware, most university PGCE courses in Citizenship have stopped/will stop. I know IOE is stopping theres. So the PGCE Citizenship might not actually be an option, and, if it was, I would still encourage you to not do it!

    However, to answer your questions:-

     1) Not sure, most likely other humanities subjects, RE, History, Geography & PSHE at a guess. In my school we teach citizenship, but it's not taught by any citizenship specialists, we have RE, Geography, History, French & English specialists teaching it.

     2) Again, not sure! I don't think Citizenship is a Post 16 subject, but I may be wrong...

    From your specialisms, & subject interests, I think you'll find more of your subjects in Post 16 areas. You can work in a college & do a part time 'Cert Ed', which is a post 16 qualification. You won't find many schools teaching Sociology & Politics at GCSE/KS3, especially with the Ebacc situation.

     If you are keen to work in KS3 & KS4 I would suggest an RE PGCE......??

    Hope that helps!! 
  • Mrbrightside83 avatar
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    Posted by: Mrbrightside83 03/12/2011 at 20:31
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    I have quickly checked the IOE and the GTTR websites and as far as I can see the courses are still running next year ( I could be wrong ). I would e-mail all the Uni's that offer Citizenship to ask them any questions you might have ( and if their course is still running!!!) I did this before my PGCE and found it very useful. 

     
  • Bobdog avatar
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    Posted by: Bobdog 12/12/2011 at 17:51
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    GruffyMax's ignorance is astounding. What's worse is then the assertion of 'fact' on the basis of no real understanding. The PGCE Citizenship programs are alive and well - I lead one of the courses and today was interviewing for admission for next year. I also know for a fact that the IoE course is continuing (though it's not my course). Citizenship is indeed a post 16 subject - there is a well established A level course in Citizenship. Some schools do indeed fail to give adequate attention to the subject, but in other schools it is thriving - one school close to my ITE establishment employs 5 of my Citizenship graduates in an outstanding Citizenship department. Yes Mr Gove has announced a review of the national curriculum (all of it, not just Citizenship) and doubtless there will be changes, but those predicting the demise of the subject are jumping the gun. Employment ... well take my 2010/11 course as an example. Of 12 successful graduates of the course, 10 are now in full time Citizenship teaching jobs (some combining Citizenship with another subject, such as RE, Sociology, History, Law, Politics), 1 has not applied for any jobs (for personal reasons) and 1 has had a number of unsuccessful interviews and is still job searching. In a time when all the doomsayers are suggesting the subject is dead I think that's a pretty good record. The versatility of most Citizenship PGCE graduates means that they can teach pretty much across the range of Humanities/Social Sciences, and their adaptability makes them highly desirable and employable.
  • rpatel25 avatar
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    Posted by: rpatel25 12/12/2011 at 18:48
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    Completely agree with Bobdog ;-). I qualified as a Citizenship trainee last year (2010/11), and got a job teaching Citizenship few lessons a week combined with RE and History. The adaptability/versatility of Citizenship trainees is always appealing to empolyers. 

  • Bobdog avatar
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    Posted by: Bobdog 12/12/2011 at 19:10
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    ... and that's the voice of one of the 10/12 who have found jobs that I mentioned above.
  • GruffyMax avatar
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    Posted by: GruffyMax 12/12/2011 at 19:46
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    Apologies for the offence & the, possibly, incorrect information.

    I was drawing on my own knowledge & experience of Citizenship in my school, local area, & the nearest ITT provider.

    I do find the rather rosy picture you paint of Citizenship in direct contrast to the 'Is Citizenship dead' thread, and the jobs that have been available....... but again, that may only be in my area & the situation may be different nationally..... 
  • BRENHELL avatar
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    Posted by: BRENHELL 12/12/2011 at 22:01
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    While talk of the immanent death of Citizenship is premature (the curriculum review is still ongoing) it appears inevitable that Citizenship will be removed as a compulsory subjectin KS3 and KS4. It will survive at KS3 as an addition to PSHE or Humanities in many schools, but is already disappearing as a GCSE and a stand alone suject at KS3.

    Enroling on a Citizenship PGCE is a big risk. There were very few jobs advertised for this subject alone and schools are tending not to employ Citizenship specialists but use other teachers to 'fill in', usually other Humanities teachers.
  • Bobdog avatar
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    Posted by: Bobdog 13/12/2011 at 10:38
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    Once again assertion based on no evidence.
  • BRENHELL avatar
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    Posted by: BRENHELL 13/12/2011 at 20:21
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    There is evidence. The number of Citizenship jobs advertised in the TES last Summer has decreased massively not just in real terms but relative to other subjects. The number of ntries for Citizenship Full and short course has peaked and is also in decline. As the Citizenship co-ordinator in my School I'm facing up to the reality of a subject that will face a rapid decline, some of you should face up to this too.
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