Chemistry
This course will equip you with the essential knowledge and skills to become an outstanding chemistry teacher, with both core subject knowledge and broader pedagogical training at the heart of the curriculum. You will explore the fundamental principles of chemistry, gaining a deep understanding of the core concepts and theories that underpin the discipline. Throughout this course, you will learn how to guide and support students in developing strong problem-solving abilities and critical thinking skills in the realm of chemistry.
What will my course look like?
You will be in school 4 days a week where you will be fully involved in all aspects of a teacher’s work. One day a week you will have your pedagogical training, which will provide a mixture of specific Subject Studies and more general Professional Studies sessions. These training days will focus on elements such as behavioural management, lesson planning, SEND and adaptive teaching, and other factors key to teaching any subject. You will also have a set number of subject-specific training days with Chemistry specialists to develop your subject knowledge, alongside teaching practicals, lab protocols and other subject-specific elements of teaching Chemistry.
To enrich your professional practice and develop your expertise you will complete 2 PGCE assignments, which will contribute 60 credits towards a master’s degree awarded by Bath Spa University.
You will be in your school from day one. At the beginning of the year, you will observe expert practitioners, moving towards leading small parts of a lesson and gradually building up to teach whole lessons. By the end of the course, you will be following 80% of a teacher’s timetable independently teaching.
You will receive the support of school-based mentors, as well as members of the BCTSA Central Team and Subject Tutors. You will work closely with your school mentor, who will provide feedback on your teaching, provide opportunities to observe expert pedagogy in the classroom, and have regular meetings with you to support your learning. You will be in two placement schools across the whole course, a main placement, and a secondary complementary placement for one half-term during the Spring, which will enable to you learn in a new environment and see how other schools and departments operate.
What will I be teaching?
As a future chemistry teacher, you will stay up to date with the latest research and advancements in the field, incorporating them into your instructional strategies. The course will focus on key curriculum topics, including:
• chemical reactions,
• atomic structure,
• chemical bonding,
• energy changes,
• the periodic table,
This subject knowledge will empower you to teach complex subjects. Furthermore, we will examine broader topics concerning scientific literacy, diversity, and the societal implications of chemistry within the context of your curriculum. You will be teaching the national curriculum for Chemistry.
Why train with BCTSA?
Bishop Challoner Training School, in partnership with Alliance schools (BCTSA), is an accredited provider of school-based teacher training in Birmingham and across the West Midlands.
With our personal approach to supporting trainees, you’ll always feel at home with our team. We provide the support you need at every step of the journey, from the application process all the way through the programme, with regular check-ins and a friendly atmosphere to make you achieve your potential as a BCTSA trainee. But don’t just take it from us, read feedback from our trainees!
'[P]ursuing a QTS and PGCE doesn’t have to be daunting. You’ve inspired and engaged me—intellectually, socially, and even physically! I’ve smiled, laughed, and truly felt like part of a team. Most importantly, you made me feel understood and respected, especially when it came to my own limitations.’ – Science trainee, 2024.
‘Appreciate all the assistance I get. I have never ever taken a course where so much support is offered. You are all terrific! I feel like I am in a land of real God mothers all of a sudden! No kidding!’ – Trainee, 2024.
Bishop Challoner Catholic College is the Lead School for the Central Midlands Science Learning Partnership, allowing schools to access high-quality materials and the courses provided.
