Graduate Certificate/Postgraduate Certificate
The Science Additional Specialism Programme is a professional development course for non-specialist teachers of physics or chemistry. It is a collaborative course offered in partnership by the Universities of Brighton and Sussex, fully funded for eligible teachers by the TDA, with supply cover paid by the DCSF to schools.
If you currently teach physics or chemistry for all or part of your timetable, this programme is designed for you. It will boost your physics or chemistry skills and knowledge and increase your confidence and effectiveness in the classroom.
Course structure
This course aims to inspire you to promote learning in chemistry or physics that is challenging and engaging for pupils. You will identify and build upon your previous knowledge, and develop your capacity for future self study.
An integral part of the programme will be your study of either chemistry or physics education. This comprises reading and assignments on current issues and research in the teaching of chemistry or physics as well as some action research on the teaching of the subject in your school or college.
In chemistry, material will be drawn from atomic and molecular structure, trends and patterns in the periodic table, energetic, kinetics and equilibria, organic chemistry and analysis.
Topics in physics include forces and motion, particle physics, waves, fields, energy and cosmology.
You will learn to recognise the links between the physical and life sciences, technology and engineering, and extend your understanding of relevant mathematical concepts. Additionally you will develop your understanding of the place of health and safety in a physics or chemistry setting, and increase your use of appropriate technology in teaching and learning. Resources will be given to you to support you throughout your course.
How will you benefit?
- benefit from an individual needs assessment
- acquire up-to-date knowledge in the latest physics or chemistry teaching methods, including ICT
- network with experienced physics and chemistry teachers and share ideas with other programme participants
- free of charge – fully funded by the TDA for eligible teachers
- receive a £5,000 government award on successful completion of the course.
How will your school benefit?
- your school will gain a specialist physics or chemistry teacher free of charge
- the DCSF offers supply cover to schools – up to £150 a day
- your school will benefit from access to teaching resources at the Universities of Brighton and Sussex
- supportive liaisons between the universities and your school.
Final award
This course leads to either a graduate certificate or a postgraduate certificate – you choose the level depending on the workload you wish to commit to. Both carry 60 credits and for the postgraduate route, these can be carried forward towards a masters degree (subject to validation).Time commitments
Both courses begin on Monday 12th July 2010 with a three-day introduction. Thereafter, course days will be scheduled during school / college terms throughout 2010-2011. The courses are of 40 days duration of which up to 30 days are spent at the university. Ten days will be used to complete your academic assignments.Location
The chemistry component is delivered at the University of Brighton and the physics component is delivered at the University of Sussex. There are some joint sessions between both groups.Eligibility
- you must have QTS status and be teaching in a maintained secondary school, special school, academy or a non-maintained special school
- at the start of this course you must have successfully completed your induction year
- you will have been teaching chemistry or physics to learners aged 11–19 for some or all of your timetable before and throughout the course
- some subject knowledge gained either through your own academic background, teaching in your main subject, or from other experience.
Please note: The SASP Programme is not intended for teachers who currently hold either a degree or ITT specialism in chemistry or physics.
Teachers from independent schools or FE colleges can only participate in the programme if their school or college pays for their place and they do not take a place that could be filled by a teacher from a maintained school, special school or academy. Teachers from independent schools or FE colleges will not be able to claim supply cover. Neither will they be eligible to receive the financial incentive unless they are teaching physics or chemistry in a maintained school, special school or academy at the time of claiming the incentive and they meet all other eligibility criteria.
Fees and funding
This course is fully funded for eligible teachers by the TDA, with supply cover paid by the DCSF to schools. You will be eligible for a £5,000 financial incentive at the end of your course, subject to you achieving a minimum of 40 credits at professional level. Further details of the Science Additional Specialism Programme and the financial incentive scheme can be found at www.tda.gov.uk.How to apply and further information
General course enquiries
Contact Brian Marsh
b.marsh@brighton.ac.uk
tel: +44 (0)1273 641901
Application form and further details for chemistry
Contact Alice Wenban-Smith
a.wenban-smith@brighton.ac.uk
tel: +44 (0) 1273 643430
Application form and further details for physics
Contact Christine Mann
c.mann@sussex.ac.uk
tel: +44 (0) 1273 877163
If you wish to discuss your potential suitability or the nature of the chemistry or physics involved then contact the course leader:
Course leader – chemistry
Brian Marsh
b.marsh@brighton.ac.uk
tel: +44 (0) 1273 641901
Course leader – physics
Peter Adamczyk
p.adamczyk@sussex.ac.uk
tel: +44 (0) 1273 877041
Note that the application form will need to be countersigned by your head teacher or a member of the senior management team at your school or college. It is important that they are aware of, and supportive of, the time that this course will demand.