As a geography teacher, you will inspire students' interest in the world and it's environment. Geography teaching incorporates classroom-based teaching, field trips and lots of opportunity to get involved with extracurricular activities. You’ll develop the skills to devise and deliver enlightening lessons to teach pupils about our planet’s, people, places, landscapes, processes and natural history. Working with colleagues in your department, you will engage students to develop their understanding of local, national and international issues which shape their lives now and in the future.

Sheffield and it's surroundings provide an interesting area for local studies and field trips. The border of the Peak District National Park is within five miles of the Sheffield Hallam University and the towns and cities of South Yorkshire provide good examples of urban renewal and redevelopment. Furthermore, the national headquarters of the Geographical Association (GA) is in Sheffield and student teachers are expected to become active members of the GA.

Course outline

How will I learn?

Our programme is intended to meet your own individual needs on your journey to QTS and meets the Teachers’ Standards. You will learn through a range of strategies at the University of Sheffield along with your school placements. Your learning will consist of:

• Seminars
• Group work
• Tutorials
• Individual consultations
• Practical activities
• Hands-on experience through placements at schools in the local area.
• A dedicated mentor to provide you with support and guidance throughout your training. 
• Collaborating with other students and teaching colleagues.

What will I learn?

You will develop the skills and knowledge to teach geography at key stages 3, 4 and 5 (age range 11-18). 

The geography curriculum course aims to develop your confidence to enable you to teach in a wide variety of situations. The course takes into account the requirements of examination specifications at GCSE, A Level and the geography National Curriculum and enables you to develop a critical understanding of recent developments. The theoretical foundations which underlie approaches to teaching and learning are considered, particularly with regard to how these relate to geography teaching in schools.

The use and application of digital technology is a major feature of the work of teachers and there will be opportunities for you to gain practical experience in this area. 

Placements

Your placement will consist of a minimum of 120 days in at least two secondary schools to gain practical classroom experience. Placements are usually undertaken at partner schools with STTA with the first one starting in September and your second placement will starting in January.

You will have your own mentor in each school, who will meet with you regularly and provide support and advice. They will also assess your teaching in school.

How am I assessed?

Your performance will be assessed throughout the year by a range of strategies including observations of your teaching, and formal academic assessment.

We will also track your progress throughout the year and provide support and guidance to ensure that you are
on-track to successfully complete your training.

Future careers

After successful completion of this course you will be qualified teacher. By becoming a teacher, you’re joining a profession that offers a huge variety of career opportunities. 

There are lots of opportunity to progress into a number of leadership or management roles such as:

• Subject/phase lead
• Lead practitioner working as a mentor, coach, trainer or facilitator
• A pastoral role
• Teaching and learning responsibility
• Head of department
• Headteacher
• Deputy head

As well as excellent career opportunities, teaching offers a competitive salary, job security and job satisfaction.