Dear Science students,

Welcome to the PGCE Science course!

We look forward to welcoming you to the University of Leicester and to working with you on the first stage of a career-long journey in teaching. The next year will go very quickly so, to help you make the best possible start, we ask you to undertake a few tasks before joining us.

In addition to the whole-course tasks supplied in the PGCE pack, there are two Science tasks included with this letter that you need to complete and bring with you when you first attend a Science session at university (on 5 September).

Task 1 relates to the National Curriculum and asks you to engage with the subject content. You can start this any time before the course.

Task 2 explores some of the specific attributes of good science teaching as identified by recent research and asks you to reflect on your experiences in school. Why not jot down questions you might like to find the answers to as you start to think about the PGCE?

We hope you will enjoy these tasks as well as benefiting from the thinking they provoke in anticipation of beginning your training.

During the course, you will be challenged in a variety of ways, but you will be supported at every step, both by your peers and by course tutors. Good organisation and an equally good sense of humour will help you make a good start.

Most of all, we ask that you get involved. Challenge yourselves and determine to make the most of the unique opportunity your PGCE presents.

We look forward to working with you!

Jon Heywood and Adrian Warhurst – Science Course Tutors