Welcome to your Post-Compulsory Education and Training course

Welcome! We are looking forward to you joining us on the PGCE PCET teacher training course in September. Here is some information that, hopefully, you will find useful.

Your staff team

We want to make sure you know some of our team before you arrive. Hopefully this will help you recognise us and ensure you know who you can contact if you need any additional help and guidance.

Tina Richardson

Senior Lecturer

I have extensive expertise of working in the secondary and post compulsory sector as well as experience of teaching in Greece and China. I am also an external examiner for PGCE Post Compulsory Education and Training (PCET) courses.

Tina's profile

Dr Sandra Murray

Lecturer

I am passionate about learning and constantly seeking new challenges. My focus is now on developing the next generation of Further Education teachers alongside developing a research profile whilst supporting and developing the research of others

Sandra's profile

Course Delivery

The delivery of the course at University, will be structured in the following way:

Mondays (9.00-16.00) on campus

Tuesdays (9.00–12.00) on campus (there will be a small number of online sessions, which will let you know about in Welcome Week)

Tuesdays (13.00 – 16.00) directed activities related to your professional practice to complete, in your own time, away from the classroom.

All sessions will take place in term time. Calendars, buildings and room numbers to follow.

Once you start your placements (typically in Early October), you will also be completing two days per week in placement as well as two days at Staffordshire University.

Join us on Social Media

Join our Social Media accounts for the Institute of Education so you can feel a part of the IOE family before you arrive.

You’ll see what we post, links to relevant news articles, developments within the sector, employability support and things going on in our courses.

Following this account will give you the opportunity to do some pre-reading and research before you join the course.

We have four social media platforms, Twitter, Instagram, Facebook and TikT ok. You can find us using @staffsuniIOE.

Visit our Instagram Page

Semester One Activities

You will start Welcome Week on Monday 23rd September. The timetable for Welcome Week will follow so keep an eye on your inbox.

As this is Welcome Week, there will be plenty of fun events and activities happening all week on campus, which we hope you attend.

Buildings and room numbers to follow also. 

Pre-Learning

Before the course starts there are a few activities that it would be helpful for you to engage in:

  • update your CV: your placement may well ask for an up-to-date CV, prior to your placement commencing;
  • keep up to date with your subject specialist area;
  • Visit FE Week, to keep up to date with news on Further Education in the UK: feweek.co.uk/

Free Downloadable Software

Software link: https://staffsuniversity.sharepoint.com/sites/software/SitePages/Home.aspx

For the Monday and Tuesday of Welcome Week, if you have a portable electronic device (such as a laptop, tablet, iPad or Smartphone) bring it with you, so you can make sure you can access Blackboard, Teams etc. Please do not worry, if you are not able to do this.

Free Software

Occupational Health

You may have already been contacted about your pre-placement health questionnaire (or will be shortly), make sure you return any paperwork as promptly as possible; this will help with placements. The same is also true for your enhanced DBS, when you receive the link from the University, complete it as soon as possible as you will not be allowed into your placement without this. Staffordshire University pays for both your health questionnaire and enhanced DBS

Join a Society

Getting involved in a student group can enhance your time at University. It’s a great way to make new friends and connections, learn from other students and develop new skills whist having some fun at the same time. Whether you want to join a group as a member, get involved in running a group as part of a committee or help run an event or organise your own – your Students’ Union is here to help make it happen! Please check out our website for more information on all of our groups, volunteering and other opportunities, or get in touch with our Engagement Team if you have more questions.

All Student Groups: https://www.staffsunion.com/getinvolved/clubsandsocieties/ (filter to see all academic groups).

Current Academic Societies:

Accounting & Finance: https://www.staffsunion.com/activities/society/25507/

Biology: https://www.staffsunion.com/activities/society/biosoc/

Education: https://www.staffsunion.com/activities/society/staffsedsoc/

Engineering: https://www.staffsunion.com/activities/society/theies/

FACS: https://www.staffsunion.com/activities/society/facs/

Fashion: https://www.staffsunion.com/activities/society/fashionsociety/

Humanities: https://www.staffsunion.com/activities/society/humanities/

Law: https://www.staffsunion.com/activities/society/lawsociety/

Bonus Group - Debating: https://www.staffsunion.com/activities/society/21294/

How to set up a new group: https://staffordshire.eu.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_0CG5LLyaUvS8eVv

Group Committee Resource & Support Area: https://www.staffsunion.com/managementhub/

Developing You (personal development resources): https://www.staffsunion.com/developingyou/

Academic skills

Whether you're joining us from school or college, or you're returning to education after some time away, everyone can benefit from the Academic Study Skills resources provided by the University library.

The Academic Skills team is here to support you throughout your academic journey and to help you gain the skills you need to reach your full potential. They can assist with academic reading and writing skills, give advice on how best to plan assignments, and help improve your time management.

The library's Academic Skills Guides offer the key information to make studying easier and give a comprehensive guide to the learning resources and services we offer.

Staffs CampusConnect

Staffs CampusConnect is our student-led community app for new students. Connect with other people from your course, hometown or country, and even those with similar interests.

To register, please ensure you use your Applicant ID (Student Number) that you received in your offer letter, and the email address you used in your application to us.

Register for CampusConnect

Welcome website

Our welcome website will provide you the link to your new student life. It's all about how you find your place at university, including everything from how to meet friends, feel confident in doing your academic work, being a member of your Student Union and getting involved in Union Societies, Academic Societies, Sports, Volunteering or representing your peers in your School.

Part of this Welcome Week - we have an exciting program of University and course level activities planned for you for your first week in September. We are also building an extended program for you to join a series of events throughout the first half of the autumn term. Further details will be shared with you via the Welcome website and Students' Union pages over the coming weeks.

Welcome website

Campus map

Use our campus map to familiarise yourself with our campus before you arrive.

Campus map (PDF)

Check your email

Please make sure you check your personal email account regularly over the next few weeks. We will be sending you lots of information about Welcome Week.

We shall leave you with our favourite quote on teaching from Stephen Brookfield: ‘We teach to change the world’. 

If you have any queries about your course please don't hesitate to contact Tina Richardson, T.A.Richardson@staffs.ac.uk or Sandra Murray, Sandra.Murray@staffs.ac.uk.

for Career Prospects

Whatuni Student Choice Awards 2023

for Facilities

Whatuni Student Choice Awards 2023

for Social Inclusion

The Times and The Sunday Times Good University Guide 2023

of Research Impact is ‘Outstanding’ or ‘Very Considerable’

Research Excellence Framework 2021

of Research is “Internationally Excellent” or “World Leading”

Research Excellence Framework 2021

Four Star Rating

QS Star Ratings 2021