Secondary Education - Design Technology

Overview

The PGCE in Secondary Education - Design Technology programme at  University of Wolverhampton  is specifically designed to ensure that those who are successful will be recommended for the award of Qualified Teacher Status (QTS) - the professional award required by all those who wish to teach in a maintained school.

Design and Technology covers a number of subject specialisms and encompasses the teaching of designing, making, and associated evaluative skills, as well as developing technical knowledge. It involves working with a range of materials and processes including resistant materials, systems and control, CAD/CAM, textiles, food technology, and hospitality. You would be expected to specialise in one of these areas and develop skills in a range of the others. 

As a trainee you will learn how to teach design technology to pupils in the 11–16 age range within the secondary age phase, with additional primary and post-16 enhancements. You will learn how to develop skills, knowledge and understanding for teaching design technology through a combination of university-led and school-led training.

Career opportunities

The PGCE in Secondary Education leads to recommendation for QTS, and enables you to take up a qualified teaching post in a secondary school.

In secondary schools you could be considered for a Teaching and Learning Responsibility (TLR), which may comprise any of the following:

• Leading a particular subject as head of department, faculty or curriculum
• Becoming head of year or key stage coordinator
• Leading a particular area such as special education needs or pastoral care (i.e. personal guidance)

Later, you could progress to a senior leadership position such as a deputy or assistant head and head teacher - at which point you will have overall responsibility for the leadership and management of a school and the education its students receive.