Abstract

This book is essential reading if you are considering making an application for secondary initial teacher education or preparing to begin your programme. It introduces you to a range of perspectives on teaching and teacher education and guides you through the application process to ensure you choose the training route that’s right for you to achieve a successful outcome.

Key chapters cover pathways into secondary teaching, professional learning, developing as a subject specialist, classroom management and working with young people.  Useful features such as jargon busters, progress checklists and case studies make the material accessible and help you navigate the ‘new landscape’ of teacher education. In addition the text encourages you to reflect critically on your school experiences of learning and teaching and uses example of theory, research and practice to help you develop an informed stance on important themes within secondary education.  

The book gives a solid overview of the teaching profession, explaining key terms and providing opportunities for readers to reflect on their own position on many aspects

The book is written in a clear and straightforward style that anyone can access. The jargon buster section at the front is very helpful for those not already in the know. I like the balance between information giving and reflective tasks to help the reader consider and analyse their own needs and wants

Well structured in toto and re: individual chapters. Very accessible. Of relevance to applicants and those who are already on the course. Comprehensive but concise. Excellent references for further reading. A really good addition to the bookshelves of anyone interesting in secondary teaching.

Andrew J Hobson is Professor of Education and Head of Education Research at the University of Brighton. He has previously been a teacher and mentor to newly qualified teachers. His research is concerned with the professional learning and development of trainees and more experienced teachers.

Andy Davies is a principal lecturer and programme leader for all secondary PGCE routes at the University of Brighton.  Andy taught in secondary schools in Oxfordshire and Surrey as a teacher of history, politics and citizenship through three national curriculums, three different GCSEs and four A Level changes.  He has experience of both pastoral and curriculum responsibilities as a head of year and faculty leader.  Andy has a passion for working with student teachers and he moved into initial teacher education in 2009.  He is currently researching the way in which student teachers’ develop classroom knowledge and expertise.

Mel Norman taught in schools in London and East Sussex where her roles included head of geography, head of year and assistant head. Since joining the University of Brighton, Mel has been programme leader for both undergraduate and postgraduate courses. She is currently the route leader for PGCE geography. She is a Fellow of the Royal Geographical Society/Institute of British Geographers (RGS/IBG) and an active member of the Geographical Association (GA) at local and national levels, contributing particularly to the GA’s Teacher Education Special Interest Group. She is also the editor of the GA journal Teaching Geography. Her doctoral research focused on the construction of the school geography curriculum.