Early Years & Primary
The Early Years & Primary Postgraduate Certificate in Education course is designed for trainees who wish to train to teach in Nursery, Infant & Primary schools, with a focus either on Early Years (3-7 years) or in Primary (5-11 years). For this course the University works in Partnership with a range of local Nursery, Infant , Junior and Primary schools. 20 weeks of the course are Faculty based and 18 weeks are spent on placement in schools.
Although their initial training may have had an age group focus, trainees who successfully complete either the Early Years or Primary courses achieve Qualified Teacher Status and there is no restriction in their future careers of the age ranges they are qualified to teach.
In 2006-7, Ofsted inspected the course, grading the teaching as 1 (outstanding). They commented that
"Training takes very good account of individual needs. Trainees' subject knowledge is audited and assessed throughout the course, and trainees take responsibility for planning their own learning. Their development is monitored rigorously by tutors and mentors who are readily available and provide high quality support. Further individual support, where required, ensures that all trainees are well prepared for the classroom."
The reportis available online.
Students from previous years have commented that:
- the course is taught by supportive and helpful tutors, who teach in an enlightened and enthusiastic way.
- the Professional Studies course gives an excellent background for the intending primary teachers with superb sessions on classroom management and communication in the classroom.
- there is excellent teaching in all subject areas.
- the subject courses are practical, relevant and full of exciting ideas.
- the overall structure of the course is excellent, with opportunities to observe & work with groups of pupils before whole-class teaching; the staged introduction really builds up confidence, and the partnership with schools is brilliant for learning.