English and Drama
The English & Drama course is for people wishing to train as secondary teachers of English 11 - 18 and Drama at key stage 3.
The course is built upon principles of inclusion and equality of opportunity in teaching and learning for all students whatever their potential and achievements. Trainees are encouraged to foster their own and their students' creativity through an enthusiastic commitment to adventurousness, exploration and systematic hard work within and beyond the classroom. Trainees are also encouraged to develop an attitude of critical enquiry and see themselves as teachers who research their classrooms so that they make informed choices in all that they do.
Course Content
The Faculty-based work, taught by subject lecturers and a seconded subject mentor, is closely linked to a programme of classroom experience in local state schools, supervised by experienced teacher-mentors. In the Faculty and in schools, trainees are encouraged to explore a wide range of creative and systematic approaches to teaching and learning. The course covers all aspects of the National Curriculum for English including speaking and listening, reading and writing; drama; language study; literature from different historical periods, cultures and traditions; non-literary texts; media and moving image texts; the use of information and communication technology. It also goes beyond the statutory requirements of the curriculum into areas of enrichment such as museum and gallery education, making links between English, Drama and the other arts.
Approximately 70% of the course is devoted to English, 30% to Drama.
A particular feature of the course is the development of skills in the teaching of Drama, both within the English National Curriculum and as a subject in its own right at key stage 3. For trainees whose prior experience of Drama is relatively limited (e.g. a GCSE qualification or experience of acting and stage management), the course focuses on teaching Drama within English and Drama at key stage 3. Opportunities in this component of the course include developing an understanding of learning in and through Drama, and an introduction to key aspects of Drama curriculum development and implementation including making, responding and performing through drama; Drama conventions; style and genre study. For those trainees with more prior experience in Drama (e.g. 'A' level or degree qualifications or Theatre in Education experience), there are opportunities for extension work covering Drama teaching at key stage 4 and post-16.
Trainees experience a variety of teaching methods including whole class teaching, structured group work and individual or pair work. There is a strong emphasis on active learning through discussion, presentations, peer-tutoring, research, independent study and writing. Throughout the course, trainees study different methods of assessment and how they support classroom learning and teaching. In seminars and workshops, the integral relationship between educational theory and teaching methodology is explored. Trainees are encouraged to reflect critically on their experiences as learners and teachers and to begin to develop a rationale for their classroom practice.
Links between English and Drama
English and Drama are closely linked and the course seeks to highlight this connection, enriching trainees' progression as teachers in both subjects. There is an emphasis on encouraging trainees' own creativity in producing poetry, short stories, plays and videos, drawing on skills in related arts such as music, dance and photography for educational purposes. Two or three times a year, the group meets to share and perform creative pieces that trainees have either written themselves or produced with their students in school.
By the end of the course it is hoped that trainees will be clear about the place of their subjects within the school curriculum and the wider community, well-equipped to become active members of English and Drama departments, keen to contribute to departmental policy and learn from colleagues.
How does this fit in with the MEd?
The Faculty offers a part-time Master of Education course that is usually completed over two years. The Cambridge PGCE can count for the first of these two years, with the second year being completed part-time either during the first or second year of teaching.
To be eligible for the MEd course, trainees must pass all of the examined elements of the PGCE course. Some students follow the Researching Practice module from the selection available within the MEd courses, designed especially for early career teachers. Other options include the Arts, Culture and Education course.
For more information, visit the Master of Education (MEd) page
Notes for applicant
s
- All applicants are asked to state clearly why they wish to train to teach both English and Drama and why they are interested in the course's commitment to inclusion and equality of opportunity.
- It is not absolutely essential for applicants to have extensive previous experience of Drama (although it is an advantage), but an enthusiasm to learn is essential. Applications are welcome from those who have no formal qualifications or experience in Drama, if they are keen to develop this side of their professional training.
- It is very important that candidates are able to talk at interview about their views of English teaching. Ensure that you spend at least one week in a state secondary school prior to being interviewed, preferably before submitting your application so that your personal statement is also informed by your experience in the classroom.
- Please make sure that the first reference on your GTTR form is an academic reference.
- For full application details visit our PGCE admissions page.