Train to teach in
Music

Leeds SCITT offers a Music PGCE course with a difference: we aim to get you into the classroom quickly to learn with a ‘hands-on’ approach and to become an experienced practitioner. The course offers a unique opportunity to develop your experience in dynamic and supportive school environments, whilst allowing you to establish your own style of teaching.

Why join Leeds SCITT for your PGCE Music Teacher Training?

Leeds SCITT (School Centred Initial Teacher Training) is an exciting and innovative teacher training provider that offers the Post Graduate Certificate in Education (PGCE) for aspiring educators.

Our Postgraduate Teacher Training courses help to provide the highest quality of teaching and learning, ensuring that a successful candidate has the practical skills, classroom practice and subject knowledge necessary to become an effective music teacher.

PGCE student teachers will be working with a dedicated team of subject specialists who will provide them with the musical knowledge training and support necessary to develop the personal qualities and subject expertise to teach Music in a secondary school context.

In your Lead School Experience, you will be introduced to a range of practical, research-informed strategies to help you to understand how best to teach your subject and support students studying the secondary school music curriculum.

Professional Development through Secondary School-Based Training

The experience of the secondary school environment will provide you with the opportunity to develop your confidence in working with students and understanding how they learn.

You will be working with practising secondary school teachers and leaders, who will help you to progress and develop your skills. As you progress throughout the course, you will gain experience and begin to implement the practical ideas that you learn in your Subject Lead Tutor sessions . You will also learn how to adapt these to fit your specific school context, as well as to the needs of your learners. You will gradually be taking more ownership and initiative on your placements with practical sessions and classroom-based learning. This hands-on approach will benefit you greatly when applying for future teaching posts.

How will I become confident in delivering Music Education? 

As a secondary music PGCE trainee at our placement schools, you will develop your subject knowledge and understanding of different examination specifications. We will train and equip you to be at the forefront of Music teaching practice, providing you with the opportunity to teach across the curriculum and deliver a wide range of musical traditions from different cultures.

Successful candidates will gain experience working in many musical styles and with different exam boards. With the support of your Lead Tutor, you will build greater creativity and depth of general subject knowledge to start your career as teachers of this unique and powerful subject. 

You will be supported to plan and differentiate effectively so that you can make a significant difference to pupils’ learning, allowing them to hone their talents and progress in music-making, appreciation and music technology. You will have the opportunity to teach in a champion school for music, where the arts form a strong part of a balanced curriculum and all students have one music lesson every week.

With a smaller cohort than many other Music ITT courses, Leeds SCITT offers you a very personal training experience where you are nurtured and equipped with the best tools to become a successful teacher.

From the Music ITT School Lead Tutor

If you are passionate about nurturing the emerging musical skills of your pupils and building their confidence and creativity, then training with Leeds SCITT is the best starting point for your new career. You will be welcomed into our lively department where we take pride in the supportive Leeds SCITT course structure and will guide you to help pupils thrive with creativity and create quality recordings and performance pieces which they can be proud of sharing. 

What does the Lead School Experience offer?

The Music department at Cockburn School is passionate about utilising the ‘Musical Futures’ approach to deliver key skills. Students across key stages have the opportunity to perform, compose and listen to a wide range of genres. The department is known for helping its pupils to regularly become involved with professional artists from the music industry to gain a wide perspective on careers in music.

The Music curriculum at Cockburn School is evaluated regularly to guarantee the most up-to-date professional developments and current arts-specific teaching approaches are implemented. Cockburn School and the Leeds SCITT programme are committed to ensuring the very best for the future of Music Education, by training innovative teachers who are driven and excited to join the profession. 

Cockburn School’s provision in the arts has been awarded Artsmark Platinum status in recognition of the school’s commitment to, and excellence in, arts education. Artsmark is Arts Council England’s award recognising excellence in cultural education. It celebrates schools’ commitment to embracing arts across the curriculum and bringing creative learning to life for children and young people.

Additional Secondary School Placement

In addition to your Lead School placement, you can be placed with other partnership schools to give you at least two contrasting secondary education placements. Having access to a wider range of partner schools helps teaching staff to develop a variety of skills and teaching strategies.

What other opportunities are available in our Placement Schools?

• Work in a Music Mark School (a recognised programme that celebrates schools committed to providing high-quality music education)
• Lead School hosts two full-scale musicals per year
• Work in an Outstanding School with a Specialism in the Arts
• Regular trips and extra-curricular activities
• Strong links with Leeds Conservatoire

Tuition Fees

The course fees for Leeds SCITT PGCE course, including QTS (Quality Teaching Status) and 60 masters credits, for the academic year 2023-24 is £9,250. Bursaries and Scholarships are available for some students https://www.leedsscitt.org.uk/how-to-apply/

Entry Requirements

For this Postgraduate Certificate in Education Course you need to hold an undergraduate degree awarded by a higher education provider in England and Wales and GCSE grade C or 4 and above (or equivalent) in Maths and English. For further information go to https://www.leedsscitt.org.uk/how-to-apply/#finance-ske-information.

International Students

For further advice and information for overseas students and entry requirements for PGCE Courses please go to https://www.enic.org.uk/Qualifications/SOC/Default.aspx.