Teacher Education
Why come to Barnfield College to learn to become a teacher in the Lifelong Learning Sector?
Teacher Education programmes at Barnfield are designed to help you to take advantage of a career in teaching. As a Grade 1 department we pride ourselves in delivering quality teaching and learning in an environment that is friendly and supportive and attuned to meet individuals' needs. The Teacher Education Team are highly qualified teachers who are passionate about teaching; they are dedicated to providing exemplar models of best practice to those they teach.
Whether you are interested in becoming a teacher, or are already teaching and need to complete the necessary qualifications, then Barnfield has something for you. The Professional Graduate Certificate in Education (PGCE) and Certificate in Education (Cert Ed) are both professional qualifications for those wishing to teach in Post Compulsory Education. The teaching settings you are working in may be: further education colleges, adult and community learning, higher education and private training organisations outside the school sector. At Barnfield we have been training people to teach in these areas for over 25 years.
Information about the courses
All of our programmes – the PGCE/Cert Ed (both incorporate the standards for DTLLS) courses are accredited though the University of Bedfordshire as Barnfield is a partnership college of the University. Successful teacher training students graduate through the University of Bedfordshire graduation ceremony - Click here for the latest graduation ceremony and photographs of graduates and their tutors. The PGCE and the Cert Ed provide an opportunity for individuals to gain Qualified Teacher Learning and Skills (QTLS) status.
Preparing to Teach in the Lifelong Learning Sector (PTLLS); Additional Diplomas in Teaching Literacy and Mathematics Level 5 and mini teaching awards (Equality and Diversity and Coaching and Mentoring) are further teacher training programmes Barnfield offers, all endorsed by Standards Verification UK (SUVK) and accredited through Ascentis. Our success rates are high and we are a proven centre of excellence for teacher training (OfSTED and Ascentis moderation reports).
How will you study?
For the PGCE or Cert Ed individuals must have 75 hours of their own teaching in a post compulsory setting. Study is on a part-time basis and consists of 4 hours per week attendance; morning or twilight courses are offered. Sessions provide practical and theoretical learning experiences. As part of the course, initial teacher trainees are observed on 2 occasions in each academic year by a personal tutor; all trainees require a subject specialist mentor who will also observe them on 2 occasions in each year. Observations provide opportunities for individuals to develop sound teaching practice through support feedback and guidance. Year 1 and Year 2 programmes require the submission of 4 assignments in each year; each relates to the theory and practice of personal teaching. We aim to produce teachers who are flexible and innovative, who can work confidently in teams and who have a deep interest in the academic and pastoral well-being of their students.
What Ofsted and previous students have said -
In May 2010, Barnfield’s initial teacher training programmes underwent a very successful Ofsted through the university partnership. The inspector reported trainees as saying;
‘We like the whole-class teaching approach of our course. Sessions are well planned well timed and teachers are careful to differentiate.’
‘We feel our course provides us with good examples of how teaching should be done.’
One trainee said; ‘The course has made me feel more professional and confident in my teaching.’
Progression and employment
Graduate teachers from Barnfield have gone on to achieve higher qualifications - including Honours and Masters Degrees - and now work in some of the country's most successful further and higher education establishments.
The Numbers
We currently have over 100 students on our programmes this year. Success rates for the PGCE/Certificate in Education last year was 90%. The success rate for our PTLLS courses was 100%.
Location
Our teacher training programmes are delivered at our York Street Campus in Luton.
Contact us
If you would like further information about our courses or a leaflet sent to you about teacher training, please contact the Office Manager, Centre for Teaching and Learning at York Street - Email sue.treloar@barnfield.ac.uk or telephone 01582 569 569.
