Essential pre-course tasks
This page has been fully updated for 2026 entry.
To do list
This section includes a range of admin tasks for completion.
It includes DBS and Fitness to Teach which we recommend you start as soon as you are able on 1 June as these must be completed in full before you are able to register for the course.
You will also find information on school placements, along with this form personal/travel information form which we ask that you complete as soon as possible. Placement matching is a complex process and the later this is received, the less flexibility we have in minimising your commute.
Additionally, we also ask that you complete and submit a CV. This is because your placement school will want to know some key information about you before you join them. A copy is also shared with your tutor. It is important that you create a positive and professional first impression. Please complete your CV using this CV template and email it to uonschoolpartnership@nottingham.ac.uk. When emailing, please remember to include your full name, PGCE course and subject in the title of your email.
Subject Knowledge Development
Throughout the course, you will be required to develop both your subject knowledge and DfE recognised Fundamental Skills of:
- speaking
- listening and communicating
- writing
- interpreting data and graphs
- mathematical calculations
More information can be found about these in the Fundamental Skills section.
In preparation for this development, please complete the following (saving/emailing yourself a copy of your results and bringing these with you at the start of the course):
These will be discussed with you at your first tutorial.
Following completion of the audits above, and based on any recommendations at interview, please use this resource list to support you in beginning to develop your subject knowledge in any identified areas and to begin developing your understanding of the primary curriculum more generally.
Resources to support subject knowledge development and curriculum understanding
Initial School Experience
We would like you to arrange two days of experience in a primary school to be undertaken between Thursday 27 August and Friday 4 September, in a school close to you. These can be consecutive days or spread across the week.
We recommend that you try to contact schools before the summer holidays. To help you secure a place, you can download a letter to introduce yourself to a primary school head teacher.
This experience will give you an insight into how teachers prepare for the start of the year and will support you going forward in areas of practice particularly linked to classroom management.
During day one of the course, we will provide you with observations and activities to carry out while in school which will then support your thinking in sessions and tutorials during the week of 7 September.
However, if, despite your very best endeavours, you are unable to secure a school experience, please inform us when we see you on 26 August so that we can provide an alternative activity.