Secondary Route to QTS for School Based Employees - PGCE

• This PGCE is currently not available in other Welsh ITE providers (English medium / Welsh medium).
• This is a unique work-based route, allowing teachers to remain in their current post, whilst working towards and achieving QTS.
• It provides an alternative route into teaching that champions a model of initial teacher education that extends beyond mere professional compliance. The PGCE embodies the Cardiff Partnership’s vision by developing teachers through a research-informed clinical practice approach.
• The PGCE is unique to the individual as it revolves around an individual learning and development plan (ILDP), which is agreed within the first phase of the course.
• The HEI / School-led course content offers three distinct styles of professional development: HEI Led Professional Development; Lead School-led Professional Development (7 days); Clinical Practice School-led Professional Development.
• A reduced teaching timetable allowing practitioner teachers the opportunity to use research and enquiry aligned with their assignments and areas of focus noted in their ILDP.
• Gain 40 credits at master’s level.
• Research-informed clinical practice where structured opportunities enable student teachers to use theory to interrogate practice and vice versa.
• A supportive and collaborative culture of learning.
• The model ensures the essential experience of working with and learning from peers specialising in their chosen subject / phase (2 age phases).
• Practitioner teachers will be supported through their personal development of Welsh and pupils’ use of Welsh.
• Research-informed clinical practice where structured opportunities enable student teachers to use theory to interrogate practice and vice versa.
• Person-centred enrichment opportunities to build on strengths and develop innovative, collaborative, professional learning and leadership skills.
• The first PGCE SBE cohort will be Welsh medium only (June 2025); the second SBE cohort (June 2026) will be offered to both English medium and Welsh medium practitioners.

To train to teach at Cardiff Metropolitan University is an exciting opportunity to learn within the Cardiff Partnership for Initial Teacher Education, the only provider of Secondary PGCE training in Southeast Wales to be accredited by the Education Workforce Council.

The Cardiff Partnership for Initial Teacher Education comprises Cardiff Metropolitan University and its associated schools, working in collaboration with University of Oxford, Cardiff University, Central South Consortium (CSC), Education Achievement Service (EAS), and City of Cardiff Council. Together, the Cardiff Partnership collaborates to ensure that our student teachers not only achieve but seek to surpass the professional standards for QTS through high-quality professional education that is rigorously practical and intellectually challenging.

Graduates will develop the values and dispositions that will enable them to be highly employable and ready to meet the demands of the classroom.

Find out more about the Cardiff Partnership for Initial Teacher Education.

PGCE Route to Qualified Teacher Status (QTS) for School Based Employees will enable you to improve and refine your Welsh language. The first cohort of practitioner teachers will be Welsh medium, and support will be tailored specifically to your needs. The programme will be expanded in the second year to both English medium and Welsh medium practitioners. Your own Welsh journey will be unique to you, and your Welsh development will focus on your personal language skills and the Welsh development of your pupils.

Pre-entry information is gathered on experience during the induction period of the programme. 10 hours of formal HEI input will be held at the start and end of the programme to enable you to focus on personal Welsh skills and pedagogy. University tutor visits to school will include a focus on implementation of Welsh pedagogy and development of personal skills.

You will receive a total of 35 hours of Welsh language skills development (10 hours in university and 25 hours school support / blended learning). This will include a combination of taught HEI sessions in the induction and final period, online resources tailored to the individual needs and support from the school based Welsh language Lead. You will be directed to the resources offered by the National Language Centre to learning Welsh. You will spend time with the Welsh Language Lead in your school as part of the Clinical Practice School-led professional development, offering tailored and bespoke support based on individual Welsh language needs. During the programme, you will gather a portfolio of evidence to record your progress in speaking, listening, reading, writing and Welsh language development pedagogy. You are also required to meet the Welsh language skills element of the Professional Standards for Teaching and Leadership (PSTL) of the QTS descriptor at key assessment points.

All paperwork relating to Welsh medium placements will be completed in Welsh. You will be provided with a choice as to which language you use to submit written academic assessments. This is in line with University policy. However, Welsh medium practitioners will be actively encouraged to submit written assessments in Welsh, to further develop their use of academic Welsh.

A total of 120 days will be undertaken in school during this programme. You will be based mainly in your school but will have the opportunity to gain experience in a different education setting to enhance your subject specific knowledge.

7 days will take place in a Lead Partnership school where you will be able to focus on key aspects of pedagogy delivered by leading providers of education and professional development in the secondary sector.

The programme is structured into three phases to provide a coherent and manageable pathway for practitioner teachers, carefully aligned with their professional responsibilities in schools. It begins in the final half-term of the summer term. This timing will allow you a focused and structured introduction to the programme, ensuring a smooth transition into your professional learning journey.

The first phase, Insights, allows you to be supported by your Senior Mentor and University Tutors, to develop your Individual Learning and Development Plan (ILDP). The ILDP is central to the programme, offering a personalised framework tailored to each practitioner teacher’s unique needs, experiences, and aspirations. This bespoke approach ensures that your professional learning is relevant, supports progression towards Qualified Teacher Status (QTS), and values your dual identity as teacher and learner, maximising the impact of your prior experience.

The second phase, Enhancement, provides you with one and a half days per week for school-led or HEI-led professional development activities, including four of the seven Lead School-led Training days scheduled across the academic year. During this phase, you will engage in three spirals of enquiry – scanning, focusing, developing a hunch, professional learning, taking action, and checking – as your first assignment. This structured yet flexible approach will support you in critically examining and improving your practice through deliberate, evidence-informed reflection. By fostering curiosity and self-awareness, this process will encourage your continuous professional growth aligned with your development goals.

The third phase, Inspire, begins with a three-week alternative placement, where you will focus on enhancing your subject-specific pedagogical content knowledge by gaining experience in a different educational setting. Upon returning to your primary placement, you will share your newly acquired insights with your department, fostering collaborative learning and innovation. Throughout this final phase, you will continue to benefit from one day per week of school-led or HEI-led professional development. You will also engage in an action research enquiry, focusing on learner development and progression while reflecting on the impact of your own practice within your subject. This enquiry encourages the use of professional discernment and critical analysis to advance teaching and learning.

You will also receive 60 days of HEI or school-led programme content. This includes:

• Traditional face-to-face sessions covering indicative content such as inclusive pedagogies and assessment, accountability systems, pupil voice and rights, human development, support for ALN and EAL, Welsh language pedagogy.
• Professional Insights Workshops covering indicative content such as pedagogy and assessment grounded in research, pupil voice and rights, supporting ALN and EAL, safeguarding and wellbeing.
• Online learning and directed study covering indicative content such as theories of pedagogy, theories of assessment and the use of observation as a research tool, supporting ALN and inclusion.

You will follow 3 distinct modules:

Professional Practice 1 (40 credits at level 6)

This module is school-based (60 days) and you will develop competency against the statutory Professional Standards for Teaching and Leadership through your practical teaching and assessment, written observations, reflections, research and personal target-setting.

Professional Practice 2 (40 credits at level 6)

This module is school-based (60 days) and you will develop complete competency against the statutory Professional Standards for Teaching and Leadership through your practical teaching and assessment, written observations, reflections, research and personal target-setting.

Investigations of Practice 1 (40 credits at level 7)

This module will focus on 2 assignments where you will build upon your ability to critically reflect on and evaluate pedagogy and practice whilst enhancing your ability to meet the Pedagogy, Innovation and Professional Learning elements of the Professional Standards.

The university and school-based teaching and learning opportunities have been designed to complement one another to maximise your progress. The methods used emphasise and facilitate your critical development skills, and cohere around the integration of research and enquiry, practice and theory. In both university and school settings, you will experience both tutor-led learning and self-directed methods of learning, developing increasing independence and reflection as you progress through the course. There will be regular opportunities throughout the course for you to review your personal progress with your tutor and take responsibility for your planning and executing your own learning.

In university, the learning and teaching methods will include seminars and Professional Insight workshops and tutorials, all supported via use of Cardiff Met’s virtual learning environment. Online learning and directed study are a feature of this programme and are integral to your professional development. A suite of online resources will be provided to enable you to optimise your personal research and pedagogical needs.

Clinical Practice School-led Professional Development will be tailored to address the gaps identified in your Individual Learning and Development Plan. This ensures that your learning is personalised and aligned with the programme’s vision. All schools will be expected to design learning opportunities that focus on developing practitioner teachers’ subject-specific and pedagogical content knowledge – not only within their subject but also in literacy, numeracy, Welsh, and digital competency. Alongside fundamental safeguarding training, schools will also be directed to cover some core topics to address areas such as subject knowledge, Welsh language development, etc.

Your experience of leading lessons builds over the three terms. This will be scaffolded by team teaching approaches as well as engaging in independent teaching. During the PGCE, you will be required to take increasing responsibility for teaching a class, or classes, independently over a sustained and substantial period (30% rising to 80%). You will be expected to follow a teaching timetable in the alternative school placement for 3 weeks and will be allocated a mentor for this shortened teaching placement.

You will spend 7 days in your Lead Partnership school focusing on core aspects of Curriculum pedagogy and design.

The course includes two written assignments at level 7 that are staggered throughout the year. Both university assignments build on your capacity to critically reflect on and evaluate pedagogy and practice whilst enhancing your ability to meet elements of the QTS Standards. In addition, the assignments are designed to develop your research knowledge and skills, affording you the opportunity to link theory to practice in a way that will impact positively on pupils, school improvement and your own professional practice. Both mentors in school and University Tutors will support you through the completion of these assignments.

You will be assessed against the Standards for QTS and must pass all Standards to attain qualified teacher status. During the clinical practice, you will receive ongoing verbal and written formative feedback as well as summative reports. As part of the course, you will gather evidence in demonstrating your attainment and achievement and this will be made available to University Tutors so that they can monitor progress at regular intervals. Your subject knowledge is audited at the start of the programme, followed by the production of an ILDP (Individual Learning Development Plan) to address any subject knowledge gaps, with the help of University Tutors and your Senior Mentor. A range of measures are subsequently adopted to ensure that all identified gaps are addressed, including subject research with school-based mentors and directed self-study.

Successful completion of the programme will lead to recommendation to the Education Workforce Council for Qualified Teacher Status (QTS) and provides opportunities for employment at the secondary level. Graduates can obtain work in schools across Wales, the UK and abroad.

The course is designed to provide a wide range of experiences that will provide our graduates with the knowledge, skills and confidence to prepare them well for the world of work. Cardiff Partnership’s Lead Partnership Schools have been identified as leading providers of education and professional development in Wales and so the opportunity to learn from them and within their own environments means that career progression from student teacher to Newly Qualified Teacher should be seamless. For further information, visit the Educators Wales website.

What Can I Expect to Earn When I Start Teaching?

Information can be obtained from the Careers Wales website.

Professional Development

The programme also offers an advantage towards continuous professional development by affording 60 credits at master’s level. These credits may be carried forward towards a full master’s qualification studied on a full or part time basis.

For further information see MA Education (with Pathways).

Essential Criteria:

Entry requirements and selection procedures for the PGCE for School Based Employees follow a joint application process involving both the practitioner teacher and their employing school. This approach ensures that both the teacher and school are fully equipped to support the practitioner teacher’s journey toward Qualified Teacher Status (QTS) and reflects the programme’s collaborative, whole-school focus on professional development.

Applications will then be assessed against the entry criteria for this programme and applicants invited to attend an interview based on this information.

To be considered, the applicant must:

• be employed in a teaching role at a school by the start of the programme, with a minimum of three years of sustained teaching responsibilities.
• obtain the formal agreement of their current employer and be supported by a joint application by the school, as detailed in the school criteria.

All applicants should:

• Have 3 years teaching experience within the last six years (this allows time for career breaks).
• Have whole-class teaching experience over a number of classes.
• Demonstrate responsibility for learning and learner progression, including assessment for learning.
• Have the aptitude, capability, and resilience to meet the required QTS outcomes by the end of their ITE programme.
• Possess the appropriate personal and intellectual qualities to become excellent practitioners.
• Read effectively and be able to communicate clearly and accurately in spoken and written English and / or Welsh.
• Not have a criminal background which might prevent them working with children or vulnerable young people, or as an education practitioner; and have not previously been barred or excluded from teaching or working with learners. The employing school will be required to confirm that this is in place.
• Demonstrate at the interview stage as having the appropriate personal functional skills in literacy, numeracy and digital competence applicable in a professional teaching and learning context.
• Demonstrate their suitability to become excellent teachers.
• Meet the requirements of the Welsh Government’s Education Health Standards (2004) *, confirming their health and physical capacity to undertake a teacher’s responsibilities.

GCSE Requirements:

GCSE Grade C / Grade 4 or above in English Language or Welsh Language (First Language), Mathematics or Mathematics – Numeracy (or a standard equivalent). Grade C / Grade 4 or above in Science (or a standard equivalent) is required for PGCE PE.

Students studying to teach in Welsh medium schools will also need a GCSE Grade C or above in Welsh (First Language). Second Language Welsh may be considered if studied at a higher level, e.g., A level.

Please note that Grade C / Grade 4 or above in GCSE English Language or Welsh Language, Mathematics or Mathematics – Numeracy (or equivalent) and Science (Science only required for PGCE PE) should already have been achieved to be considered for interview.

GCSE Equivalents:

Cardiff Met accepts equivalency qualifications for the GCSE requirements from an accredited course via a reputable institution. Please check Cardiff Met’s requirements on C grade GCSE equivalents.

We accept equivalencies from the University of South Wales and from Aberystwyth University, we also accept the Mathematics Equivalency Module (Introduction to Mathematics 1 and 2) and the English Equivalency Module (English Language Skills).

Further advice regarding accepted equivalents can be sought by contacting admissions at askadmissions@cardiffmet.ac.uk.

Initial Degree Requirements:

Whilst it is expected that the content of your degree will contain a significant proportion of the subject in which you wish to train to teach, we do favourably consider applicants whose degrees are in a subject that is closely related. Your application and interview (should you be selected) will be assessed on your potential to meet the QTS level of the Professional Standards for Teaching and Leadership that relate to subject knowledge, understanding and skills, and the extent to which these can successfully underpin your practice as a teacher of a particular subject, up to and including the teaching of A level and other post-16 curricula.

You will be expected to hold a degree of 2.2 Hons as a minimum requirement. You may be considered for certain secondary subjects from those who have achieved below a 2:2 Honours degree but hold higher qualifications and / or substantial relevant experience, e.g., Master’s, PhD.

Criminal Records / DBS Check:

Entry is also subject to a satisfactory criminal records check. More details about criminal records procedures can be found here.

International Applicants:

For international applicants, whose first language is not English, a minimum IELTS score of 7.5 overall with no sub score lower than 7.0 (or equivalent qualification) will be required for admission to the programme. For full details about how to apply and English Language qualifications please visit the international pages.

Applications for this course should be made via Student Self Service.

Additional guidance can be found here.

Places are limited to 10 students / cohort (2025-26 – Welsh medium only), and 20 places for 2026-27 (10 Welsh medium and 10 English medium).

When applying, please make sure to include the following documents. Please be aware that your application will not be assessed until we receive all compulsory documents:

• Personal Statement.
• CV, including evidence of qualifications at GCSE.
• At least one Academic Reference (or professional reference if you have been out of education for the last 5 years).
• Copy of degree certificate or official final transcript. If you are still undertaking your undergraduate degree at the time that you are submitting the application, you will then need to provide official interim transcript. This should contain your name, university name, course title, modules undertaken so far and grades for those modules. Any document submitted without that information will not be accepted. Current and former Cardiff Met students are not required to provide this document. Please include a copy of your marriage certificate if your name has changed since you gained your undergraduate degree.
• Completion of the Supplementary Application Form. The template provided must be used and can be accessed here.

To be considered, your school must:

• be a Cardiff Partnership Clinical Practice School, Lead School, or have successfully applied for Clinical Practice School status.
• demonstrate commitment to teacher education: providing evidence of the school’s commitment to initial teacher education, including a proven history of supporting student teachers and / or newly qualified teachers through structured programmes, mentorship, or professional development initiatives.
• provide resources and support for development: confirming they have the time and resources needed for the practitioner teacher to plan, review, and engage fully in their initial teacher education, allowing for structured reflection and development.
• appoint and name a suitable senior mentor: assigning a senior mentor who is not only knowledgeable in teacher education but is also able to guide the practitioner teacher in a structured, graduated teaching timetable that supports incremental knowledge and skill development.
• demonstrate a dual-role supportive environment: providing evidence of commitment to supporting the practitioner teacher’s dual identity as both teacher and learner. This may include reference to policies, schedules, or examples of professional development practices that ensure the practitioner teacher has structured time for learning, reflection, and growth alongside their teaching responsibilities; and
• promote a research-rich culture: demonstrating dedication to being a school that values and actively engages in research-based learning and continuous improvement as a “learning organisation.” This commitment should include integrating teacher education into the broader school culture.

Interviews are held in person in Cardiff Metropolitan University. You will receive notification of your interview date via the university tutors and via email from Cardiff Met. Interviews will last approximately 1 hour.

Following the first phase of application, you and your senior member will then be invited to attend an exploratory meeting with two members from the programme team (one from the University and one from the Lead Partnership school). During the exploratory meeting, you will be assessed against your ability to articulate how well you meet the entry criteria. In addition, the programme team will explore how well the employing school is able to support the practitioner teacher and senior mentor in their roles and will evaluate their commitment to the programme. The meeting will also provide opportunity to answer any questions you and your school may have about expectations and entitlement.

All responses will be scored, and applications with the highest scores will be offered a place on the programme.

Qualifications

I don’t have GCSE Grade C / Grade 4 or above in English or Welsh Language and Mathematics – can I still apply for the PGCE?

Applicants will need a Grade C / Grade 4 or above in English / Welsh Language, Mathematics or Mathematics – Numeracy (or equivalent) to be considered for interview. PGCE PE will also require a Grade C / Grade 4 in Science GCSE (or equivalent).

What equivalent qualifications does Cardiff Met accept for GCSEs?

Please click here to view Cardiff Met’s guidelines on C grade equivalents.

We accept equivalencies from the University of South Wales and from Aberystwyth University, we also accept the Mathematics Equivalency Module (Introduction to Mathematics 1 and 2) and the English Equivalency Module (English Language Skills).

Equivalent qualifications need to be accredited from a reputable organisation. Further advice regarding accepted equivalents can be sought by contacting Admissions at askadmissions@cardiffmet.ac.uk.

Are my qualifications acceptable?

The equivalency of overseas qualifications is determined by UK NARIC.

If you are an international student, you should contact UK NARIC. If you are a Home / EU applicant, please contact our Admissions team who will be able to offer further advice on your qualifications.

Application

When is the closing date for applications?

The initial deadline for applications will be 2 May 2025. After this date, we will close the programme if we have received enough applications. Competition for places may be extremely high for this unique programme, so we recommend that applications are made as early as possible to avoid disappointment.

Do I apply directly to Cardiff Met?

All applications must be made via Student Self Service.

Will I have to complete a Criminal Records Check?

As an employed member of a school, it will be your Headteacher’s responsibility to ensure this is in place. The Headteacher will be required to confirm that this is in place upon application via the supplementary application form.

What should I do if I am a Welsh medium applicant?

Applicants who wish to train for the Welsh medium sector should apply for the Welsh medium pathway. University provision is through the medium of Welsh. During the interview procedure you will be assessed on your ability in both English and Welsh.

Interviews

How will I receive information about the interview?

Information will be sent via email from Cardiff Metropolitan University. The date of your interview will be confirmed via email.

How often are interviews held? Are there specific dates?

May will be the month of interview for this programme, as the course starts in June.

The tuition fee for the programme is £3,500.

In addition, your employing school will incur costs to support your participation, as they will need to release you for the required time. These costs will vary depending on your school’s staffing structure and financial model.

The table below provides an indicative guide to the teaching hours your school can allocate to you during the programme. The remaining time will be dedicated to professional development activities with a minimum of every Friday as a non-contact day.

For general enquiries, please contact the Admissions Team on 029 2041 6044 or email askadmissions@cardiffmet.ac.uk.

For subject specific course enquiries, please contact the Programme Leaders in the first instance:

Tutors:

• Dr Gina Morgan – gmorgan@cardiffmet.ac.uk
• Rhian Griffiths – rgriffiths2@cardiffmet.ac.uk