Does Teach First award a PGCE?

[Mijkl]

I always thought it did, but looking at the site, it doesn't mention it.

[MrsHerculePoirot]

Our schools direct (or whatever version it is now) last yearcould opt to do some extra bits and get a PGCE at the same time. It involved some extra college days and some written assignments I think. Is it maybe tagged on as optional?

[Undertheboredwalk]

DH’s friend is with them at the moment and says they get a PGDE from this year onwards. I have no idea what one of them is though!

[Mijkl]

I'm doing School Direct with QTS and PGCE, but the Teach First is different. It's like Teach America, graduates put into high need schools to learn to teach on the job from day 1. I'm just surprised because I always thought you needed a PGCE to progress in your teaching career, but a lot of senior staff in my dept came through Teach First route. I suppose people may get PGCE afterwards.

[Mijkl]

Oh, interesting. Pgde is like a pgce plus masters i think. There are so many routes!!

[joopy79]

Yes, i have a pgce from them, this year's intake are doing a pgde post graduate diploma in education, which takes 2 years. If you have any questions about teach first feel free to PM me.

[notangelinajolie]

Teach First graduates do learn to teach on the job but they also study for their PGCE at uni at the the same time. The PGCE is awarded by the university.

[notangelinajolie]

After PGCE they can remain on the programme and study for Masters which is partly funded by Teach First. The PGCE is fully funded by TF but if they leave before the PGCE is complete they have to pay back course fees.

[Mijkl]

Thanks, that makes sense.