Primary Education with QTS with Foundation Year - BA (Hons)

This module is designed to support you in your transition to studying in a Higher Education environment at Birmingham City University. Through a range of class-based group and individual activities, discussions, debates, personal reflection and wider reading and research, you will have opportunities to consider academic conventions, which include: effective use of literature; sourcing and reviewing information; various forms of academic writing; developing reflective capacity. You will also receive guidance on study skills and strategies, which will enhance previously acquired skills.

This module is designed to help you gain awareness and understanding of current challenges around Equality, Diversity and Inclusivity and how this impacts upon the Health, Education and Social Sciences sector, preparing you for your future education and journey into practice. Introducing the Equality Act 2010 as the overarching legislation that focuses on Equality, Diversity and Inclusivity, the module is based on themes that are covered by this Act. The nine protected characteristics, upon which a person can be discriminated, as laid down in the Equality Act, will be discussed throughout and you will be introduced to case studies relevant to your chosen pathways.

This module will focus on enabling you to gain a deeper understanding of the interpersonal skills and behaviours required to work in your chosen area. Through a range of class based and student focused activities you will explore the different concepts of effective interpersonal and professional behaviours essential to your own personal development and progression. By engaging in this module you will reflect on your own and others values, beliefs and behaviours identifying how this can impact on the way in which you will be viewed by others. You will also address the importance of effective communication and how this can lead you to have a more professional approach in your chose area of work.

This module is designed to support you in your transition to studying in a Higher Education environment at Birmingham City University, allowing you the opportunity to negotiate learning of a bespoke subject. Under the guidance of tutors, you will be able to direct your learning and identify relevant learning opportunities that you feel enable you to learning more about a specific field of study. The subject area within this module is student-led, with guidance and facilitation from designated academic and practice support. You will identify an area of study that you would like to review and evaluate, and which relates to your foundation year pathway and indicate programme.

This module will be studied in Semester 1 and provides opportunities for you to develop an understanding of children and society in Birmingham. As the country’s second city, Birmingham offers a rich context for your studies and provides a perfect example of the ways in which children and society inter-relate. You will also be laying foundations for your future studies by gaining knowledge of the environments affecting your chosen degree discipline. No matter where you are from, exploring the ways in which a highly diverse city such as Birmingham provides for the needs of children will provide an invaluable insight.

This module will be studied in Semester 2 and provides opportunities for you to develop an understanding of the politics and policies that impact society, childhood and education. Key aspects of working practice in the disciplines listed above are determined by the policies that come from the government; in the majority of cases, a government department oversees and regulates practice through its policies. This modules will explore the way in which the British constitution works, how policy making takes place and the impact that this has on society, childhood and education. The module will also consider the political spectrum and the way that this impacts policy. Importantly, as someone considering moving into the areas of study outlined above, you will also have the opportunity to consider your own perspectives and the ways in which you have been influenced by policy and politics, and the ways in which you might go on to affect them as a citizen and as a member of a given profession.

This module provides opportunities for trainee teachers to explore the nature of the core subjects (English, Mathematics and Science) and prime and specific areas of the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) in the context of learning and teaching in the primary school and early years settings.

The module provides substantial support for trainees’ professional practice in such settings, assessed through the School-Based Training (SBT) modules. This module provides a strong philosophical underpinning to the importance of trainees’ subject knowledge in the primary school and EYFS curriculum. By studying this module, trainees will begin shaping their own rationale for their approach to the teaching of the above subjects and to meet the needs of all learners.

This module aligns to the overall philosophy and aims of the BA (Hons) Primary Education with QTS programme and the professional standards that underpin learning and teaching in primary and/or early years settings by responding to the developments in theory and practice relating to child development. It focuses on child development, planning and assessing so that all children can meet their potential. It will develop the link between theory and practice as part of the module will be delivered through first hand observation of school practices and the students own experiences during their school based training.

The role of this module is to encourage you to consider in-depth your first experiences in your placement school. It will enable you to understand the complexity of the teacher’s role and the importance of adopting a professional stance at all times. You will understand the importance of an effective learning environment where all children feel safe and can develop to their full potential. It will provide you with practical strategies to support you in managing children’s behaviour.

This module is an introduction to all other subjects of the curriculum taught in primary schools besides the core subjects of English, Maths and Science. You will be introduced to key areas of learning for each of the subjects and supported to understand some of the frameworks and resources used by schools to deliver these subjects. You will understand the relevance of each subject and how they support one another, where appropriate.

This module provides opportunities for trainee teachers to explore a chosen subject in greater depth. It will address the relevant curricular content and learning and teaching strategies appropriate to the subject in the context of learning and teaching in the primary school and early years settings.

There will be a consideration of inclusive practice, assessment and an examination of the latest research developments. The module provides substantial support for your professional practice in such settings, assessed through the School-Based Training (SBT) modules. This module is closely aligned to the importance of your subject knowledge in the primary school and EYFS curriculum. By studying this module you will begin to shape your own rationale for teaching and learning in your chosen subject area to meet the needs of all learners.

Working in partnership with schools over a sustained period of time in school, this module, SBT 1, provides opportunities for you as a trainee teacher to meet the professional standards and expectations of teaching through practical experience. You will have the opportunity to work alongside experienced teachers and other education professionals to develop your knowledge, understanding and skill in the classroom and the wider school environment. You will be able to implement theory and evidence-based understanding on an on-going and development basis into your teaching into the classroom.

This module builds on the skills and knowledge introduced in the Year 1 core module and links to the Y3 core module. It includes the study of English, Maths and Science in Key Stages 1 and 2 and the relevant Prime and Specific areas in the EYFS and links to the teaching of the core areas on School Experience modules.

This module aligns to the overall philosophy and aims of the BA (Hons) Primary Education with QTS course by responding to new initiatives in primary education. The focus will be upon developing your knowledge and understanding of the ways in which assessment and reporting are fundamental to learning and teaching in the primary school and EYFS settings. Through our commitment to inclusive values you will be empowered to address issues of equality, diversity and justice to optimise the life chances for all children you teach.

This module offers a critical and challenging introduction to special educational needs in the context of contemporary understandings of inclusion and diversity in education. It will cover topics such as: historical perspectives on inclusive education; social models of disability, and developing inclusive practices in education.

This module supports the programme philosophy and aims as it will engage you with a diverse and dynamic range of strategies to motivate and inspire children in their learning of the foundation subjects. You will be given opportunities to develop an understanding of outstanding practice in teaching the foundation subjects in primary and early years settings, through University sessions. You will be able to take risks within a professional, safe and supportive community of practice to develop your teaching skills.

This module will provide opportunities for you to develop your understanding and expertise in a specific subject area. You will develop professional skills and attributes through collaborative group work. You will:

• Plan collaboratively for a specific age group of children in the chosen subject with consideration of pupils’ individual needs to differentiate and personalise the learning
• Develop inclusive practice
• Assess and monitor progress of children
• Consider intervention strategies to support progression
• Evaluate your own teaching
• Develop skills to be creative problem solvers of the opportunities within your subject, school and class
• Understand the role of the subject leader

This module will provide you with the opportunity to develop within a professional, safe and supportive community of practice in order to help you to become a confident, creative and committed teacher and enable you to demonstrate a working understanding of and progress towards, the professional standards that underpin learning and teaching in a primary or early years settings. You will be assessed against the current professional competences for teaching through a learning, teaching and assessment strategy that describes the stages of development as emerging, establishing, embedding, and enhancing.

The module will develop students’ understanding of both formative and summative assessment. Students will consider their own experiences, evaluate recent policy and research and complete practical tasks to embed and extend their understanding. The role, purpose and potential for effective assessment will be considered. Additionally, students will consider how to utilise new technologies to support and enhance learning and assessment. The potential of new technologies in supporting a range of learners and their families will be explored and evaluated. Throughout the module, students will be encouraged to reflect on their own practice.

This module aligns to the overall philosophy and aims of the BA (Hons) Primary Education with QTS programme by being responsive to new initiatives and developments in primary education to enable you to become a highly effective and reflective teacher. The module will complement and build upon your knowledge and understanding developed through school experiences. A strong commitment to inclusive values will be reinforced and will empower you to address issues of equality, diversity and justice to optimise the life chances for all children you teach.

This module aligns to the overall philosophy and aims of the BA (Hons) Primary & Early Years Education with QTS course by focusing upon opportunities to develop, support and enhance thinking and learning skills in the Early Years and Primary settings. This will be considered through statutory and non-statutory curriculum guidance, and theoretical perspectives. During your school based training this module will support you in developing creativity and cross-curricular opportunities, and evaluating and justifying resources, enabling you to become a highly confident, committed and creative teacher ready to join the teaching profession.

This module aligns to the overall philosophy and aims of the BA (Hons) Primary Education with QTS programme and the Teachers’ Standards by responding to the changes and developments in primary education. It will enable you to become a highly reflective teacher.

It will also support you in becoming an innovative and resilient leader of learning with a personal commitment to shaping the future of the teaching profession. In this module, you will be supervised by an experienced tutor who will guide and support you so that you can conduct research relevant to your subject study in a supportive and nurturing environment. It will actively encourage you to develop your research skills and to pursue your learning journey at Masters level and beyond.

Working in partnership with schools over a sustained period of time in school, this module, School Based Training (SBT) 3, enables you to build on and demonstrate your mastery and achievement of the professional standards and expectations of teaching through practical, school-based experience. You will have the opportunity to work alongside experienced teachers and other education professionals to develop your knowledge, understanding and skill in the classroom and the wider school environment. You will be able to implement theory and evidence-based understanding into your teaching into the classroom and within a professional, safe and supportive community of practice become a confident, creative and committed teacher demonstrating a working understanding of and progress towards, the professional standards that underpin learning and teaching in a primary or early years settings.

You will be assessed against the current professional competences for teaching through a learning, teaching and assessment strategy that describes the stages of development as emerging, establishing, embedding, and enhancing.