Primary and Early Years Education with QTS BA(Hons)

This module will introduce you to the National Curriculum requirements in the foundation subjects and the requirements of the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) framework. You will explore creative and innovative ways of teaching the foundation areas and RE and develop your understanding of planning, and of appropriate assessment strategies for different subjects. Assessment typically involves producing a poster and a group presentation on one of the foundation subjects of the National Curriculum, RE or an area of learning in the EYFS.

This module will help prepare you to teach English, mathematics and science across the early years and Key Stage 1. The module will be taught jointly by subject specialist tutors and school-based trainers. Training sessions will take place both in schools and in the University. Assessment is typically via a series of practical assignment tasks examining English (including Phonics), maths and science in the EYFS or primary classroom, exploring and synthesising theory into practice.

This module will aim to develop your knowledge and understanding of teaching and learning in the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS), incorporating key features of effective learning environments and effective pedagogy in the birth to five age range. A strong emphasis is given to understanding child development and the crucial role of the adult in observing, assessing and planning for learning. This module will support you to develop your skills for observing, assessing and teaching young children and communicating effectively with them. It aims to prepare you for EYFS classroom practice based on sound understanding and critical reflection of the Early Years Foundation Stage.

This module will extend your knowledge of the foundation areas and RE and their corresponding areas of learning and development in the EYFS. You will extend your subject knowledge and learn how to plan for cross curricular links and holistic learning in creative and innovative ways. Training takes place both in university and in schools and you will have the opportunity to undertake a wider curriculum placement in which you’ll teach a series of lessons. Assessment is typically via the planning, delivery and evaluation of a sample unit of work for a chosen year group, incorporating several of the foundation areas of the National Curriculum or their corresponding areas of learning and development in the EYFS.

This module supports you to further develop your skills of critical reflection and professional development planning. You will extend your knowledge of theory, research, policy and practice furthering your ability to demonstrate your own professional identity and educational philosophy. Through practical sessions you will also develop your Personal Development Portfolio. The module is practice based; all students undertake an eight week assessed block of School-Based Training, involving planning, teaching and assessing children’s learning. Assessment is typically via the submission of a teaching file to include lesson planning, evaluations of your own teaching, assessments for learners, feedback from trainers/mentors, a record of professional development activities and an impact study to show learner progress.

This module introduces you to the barriers to learning experienced by those with special educational needs and disabilities and explores strategies teachers use to overcome these. You will have the opportunity to undertake enrichment experience in an alternative educational setting to enable you to apply theory to practice, and will aim to compile a reflective and critical portfolio based on your experiences which enables you reflect critically on your knowledge and practice.

Raise your awareness of current legislation, policies and procedures which exist to promote children and young people’s rights and to keep them safe. Knowledge, skills and qualities required to work with children, young people, their families and carers and other professionals in safeguarding contexts. Critically explores broader safeguarding concepts (such as CSE and PREVENT).

This module will develop further your understanding of the concept of equality, diversity and inclusive education; it builds on the work undertaken across the whole of the course, with an emphasis on promoting a good understanding of the diverse nature of classrooms and the implications of this for resourcing, teaching and learning. Assessment is typically via a written reflective report on work undertaken as a community of practice in devising a scheme of work in a primary school or EYFS setting.

The module will introduce you to leadership and management in the primary school and EYFS. It will be led by University tutors and subject leaders drawn from across the partnership. It will introduce you to the principles behind effective middle leadership and some of the associated challenges. Following a series of lectures focusing on leadership styles, middle leadership, action planning and data analysis students will undertake a focused subject project within their partnership school that supports the school’s priorities. Assessment is typically via a mini-research project implemented in school, providing evidence of dissemination of findings and suggestions for innovation in the school or EYFS setting.

This module will facilitate development of knowledge, understanding and skills required to utilise basic research methods to explore a specific question in a small-scale investigation within the context of a primary school. The findings will be analysed critically with reference to published theory and recent research. Assessment is typically via the submission of a dissertation.