Secondary partnerships

BA / BSc (Hons) courses

Our undergraduate QTS degrees train teachers of Biology and PE over a three year period. 

Our BA/BSc with QTS courses are designed to provide a specialist degree alongside QTS status. When not in school, BCU  Associate Teachers are engaged with undergraduate study and assessment in their specialist subject.  

All BCU Associate Teachers complete 120 credits each year through completion of both education and subject-specific modules.

Associate Teachers complete a Professional Studies module each year, which includes topics such as behaviour management, metacognition, diversity, scaffolding and many more.

The following is some of the indicative subject specific ITE content learned and applied in modules:

BA (Hons) Secondary Physical Education with QTS

The Department of Sport and Exercise, part of the School of Health Sciences, is committed to delivering excellence in every aspect of work it undertakes related to sport and exercise, sports therapy, physiotherapy and physical education and school sport. The vibrant and practice-led learning environment enables Associate Teachers to teach PE to secondary school aged pupils (11-16 year olds) and includes some post-16 enhancement.

Associate Teachers will also benefit from the unique and strong partnership between PE and Sports and Exercise Science teacher educators and subject specialists who are at the forefront of practice in their fields.

The course includes:

• A variety of PE specific pedagogical models across years one to three.
• Motor development of children and how children learn in PE.
• The specific areas of the PE national curriculum, covered in the first two years.
• The role of PE, physical activity and sport in promoting lifelong learning and healthy, active lifestyles.
• Effective assessment procedures in PE.

BSc (Hons) Secondary Science (Biology) with QTS

The Department of Life Sciences, part of the School of Health Sciences, is committed to delivering high-quality, research-informed teaching in a range of biology and life science fields alongside a developing Life Sciences research portfolio. Staff have expertise in a range of disciplines which will support Associate Teachers' scientific development and prepare associate teachers for professional practice as a science educator.

Associate Teachers benefit from the unique and strong partnership between biology educators and subject specialists who are at the forefront of practice in their fields.

The course includes:

• Biochemistry
• Microbiology
• Human Physiology
• Pedagogical processes specific to science.
• Physical sciences, inclusive of Chemistry and Physics

BCU Associate Teacher Code of Conduct

Feedback from our current cohort

The feedback our students have given outlines the ways in which combining undergraduate subject study with QTS prepares them as teachers of the future:

Anisa Begum - BSc (Hons) Secondary Biology with QTS 

"As a BCU teacher in training, my aim is to be an asset to the school community and strive to enhance pupils learning by increasing their interest in Biology. I want to use my vision as a teacher and my passion for my subject to establish a positive learning atmosphere within the classroom."

Lewis Jones - BA (Hons) Secondary Physical Education with QTS 

"Sport is essential to our physical, mental and social wellbeing and I would argue now more than ever during these unprecedented times. However, it’s essential they have a teacher that shows the passion and enthusiasm to help them through their journey. I would love to be this teacher."