Kingston University (KU) are helping launch Gibraltar's first official PGCE teacher training programme.

PGCE — Postgraduate Certificate in Education — is the one- or two-year academic qualification graduates aspiring to the teaching profession can achieve during teacher training.

The Faculty of Health, Social Care and Education, run jointly by KU and St George’s, University of London, previously helped Gibraltar create its first nursing and social work degrees and is partnering with University of Gibraltar to unveil its first teacher training programme.

The unique version of the PGCE will be a one-year course and will take on its first cohort of students in September, KU said.

According to KU, the course offers training in early years, primary and secondary education and will allow locals "to study close to home, giving flexibility to those with families who would otherwise have to go abroad to do teacher training."

Head of KU’s School of Education Marcus Bhargava said the university was proud to share its expertise with partners in the British Overseas Territory.

"Our academics are passionate about educating the future teachers who go on to work across the world and this is a great opportunity to share our expertise and knowledge on an international platform," Mr Bhargava said.

"It's inspiring to see the University’s partnership with Gibraltar continue to flourish as we help develop the next crop of teachers, social workers and nurses," he added.

Acting Vice-Chancellor at the University of Gibraltar Professor Catherine Bachleda said that the unique PGCE course "adheres to rigorous UK quality standards" and provide the same comprehensive teacher training as its UK-based equivalent.

Meanwhile, the Minister for Education in Gibraltar Dr John Cortes, who is also an honorary graduate of KU, praised the programme as a boon for the community on the peninsula off mainland Spain.

"I am delighted this qualification is being offered by the University of Gibraltar. The programme is bespoke to the needs of our local community and it will further enhance our unique educational system.

"It has been designed from the bottom up in close partnership with KU and the Department of Education and it matches the future vision of teaching and learning in Gibraltar," Mr Cortes said.

The PGCE course will be run by University of Gibraltar. For more information visit: https://www.unigib.edu.gi/courses/postgraduate/pgce/