Secondary partnerships

BCU Training Future Teachers and School Leaders for Birmingham and the Region

Secondary partnerships

Our strength in secondary education is the close working relationship we have with more than 200 secondary schools across the West Midlands. These close ties ensure we are able to produce the right teachers for this demanding sector.

The partnership offers both undergraduate and PGCE routes into teaching. The PGCE routes train secondary school teachers of Art & Design, Computer Science, Design and Technology (Food, Product Design, and Textiles), Drama, English, History, Geography, Mathematics, Modern Foreign language,  Music, Physical Education, Religious Education, Science (Biology, Chemistry, and Physics), and Social Science (Health and Social Care, Psychology and Sociology). The undergraduate routes train secondary school teachers in Biology and Physical Education.

These pages contain a range of documents and support materials to accompany our Secondary courses. Documentation is intended to provide partners with a holistic understanding of the course and a more specific knowledge of the roles and responsibilities of tutors, mentors, and BCU Associate Teachers.

BCU Partnership Agreement

BA (Hons) Secondary Physical Education with QTS Handbook

BSc (Hons) Secondary Science (Biology) with QTS Handbook

Testimonials

“BCU mentors have been fantastic in communicating and guiding me as a mentor.” - Mathematics Subject Mentor, Holyhead School, Birmingham (Spring 2023 Mentor Survey)

“The comprehensive range of support I have had means I feel confident in my role as a mentor and know I am supporting the Associate Teacher.” - Design Technology Subject Mentor, Etone College, Nuneaton (Spring 2023 Mentor Survey)

"I can confirm that our commitment to BCU as a very close ITT partner continues to grow from strength to strength." - Professional Mentor - Holte School, Birmingham

"Birmingham City University are very supportive of trainees and the academy, we have employed several past students" -  Professional Mentor - Heartlands Academy, Birmingham

"The partnership we have with Birmingham City University is excellent.  The university tutors provide us with a good level of support and guidance." - Professional Mentor - Kings School, Wolverhampton

"Very impressed with the whole structure and organisation of placements...Tutors are all very approachable and helpful, and paperwork is very clear " Professional Mentor - Wood Green Academy, Wednesbury

"I have always found the tutors at Birmingham City University very helpful and knowledgeable" - Professional Mentor, Kings Norton Boys School, Birmingham

Read our Ofsted reports

School-Based Training Placement Opportunities 2024/25

Secondary ITE recruitment is ongoing, and we confidently expect to have a strong cohort of associate teachers across all subjects. As ever, most of our associates will be local to Birmingham and nearby metropolitan areas, but we do occasionally require placements in neighbouring Local Authorities. Therefore, we are now asking old and new BCU partner schools to commit to a year-long School Based Training partnership with us in 2024/25. We are reviewing our strategic approach and now asking for a commitment to BCU on both our PGCE and undergrad courses. For a Placement Opportunity Pack and Offer Form, please contact hels.placements@bcu.ac.uk

Placement Opportunity Pack

Secondary Education Placement Offers Form

Contact us

For Partnership enquiries, please contact the Partnership Team: