About this course
- Entry year: 2012/13
- Course code: X123
- Applications: UCAS
- Level: Undergraduate
- Tariff points: Normally 320 minimum
- Department: Education
- Campus: Frenchay
- Duration: Three years full-time
- Delivery: Full-time
- Study Abroad: No
- Programme leader: Jo Barkham
Introduction
The University of the West of England is committed to training outstanding and transformational teachers for the future, able to provide first class educational experiences that make a significant difference to the life chances of all children - and to do so through partnership with early years settings and schools in the region.
Teaching is a challenging, exciting and very rewarding career with a high level of job satisfaction. It is a great privilege, as well as a great responsibility, to be one of the first teachers to influence a child.
Here at UWE we don't just train our teachers, we educate them to be lifelong learners. You will develop throughout the programme to become skilled and reflective professionals, with an appreciation of educational values and aims. You will acquire deep knowledge and understanding of: how children develop and learn; how to enable children to thrive linguistically, socially, physically, cognitively and emotionally; how to create an enthusiasm for learning; and how to overcome barriers to learning. We will support you to become an effective communicator with children, to manage children's behaviour and to establish safe, creative, inclusive and effective learning environments. Our partnership arrangements with schools mean you will have a range of experiences of working directly with children and qualified professionals in a variety of settings - working with children of diverse cultural backgrounds and across a spectrum of individual needs.
We offer two different Initial Teacher Education (ITE) courses: Primary Early Years Education (ITE) for those wanting to teach 3-7 year olds, and Primary Education (ITE) for those wanting to teach 5-11 year olds.
Find out more about what Primary and Early Years Initial Teacher Education at UWE can offer you in terms of teaching quality, staff expertise and your student experience.
Student's view
"The lecturers are fantastic and the Department of Education is a great learning environment."
Lucy, Primary (ITE)
Structure
Content
The BA(Hons) Primary Education (ITE) 5-11 course is designed to train you to specialise in teaching across the primary phase at Key Stage 1 and Key Stage 2 - and to develop your professional skills against the current teacher professional standards. The course adopts an enquiry approach to learning - with many opportunities for you to direct your learning, to develop your graduate attributes and to deepen your knowledge, understanding and skills. In your final year you will have the opportunity to research and write a dissertation on a topic of your choice - to extend your professional confidence and competence as a teacher still further.
During the course you will further specialise in one of the following areas:
- English, Literacies and Language
- Maths and Science
- Arts and Humanities
- Special Educational Needs, Disabilities and Inclusion
Each of the subject specialisms will allow you to develop specialist subject knowledge for teaching, in order to prepare you to make a strong application for your future teaching post.
Hear what our students think about their time at UWE.
Teaching and learning
We use a variety of methods of teaching including formal lectures, seminars and workshops, tutor and student-led study groups, and one-to-one tutorials. All students are expected to learn both in groups and independently, as well as through the effective use of on-line resources - as these help to develop important graduate skills. We will provide you with all the support and assistance you need and actively encourage you to learn effectively in a variety of ways.
Work independently/time management
All students are expected to motivate themselves and learn independently and this is regarded as an important graduate skill. We actively encourage you to learn independently by providing you with the support and help needed to study effectively and manage your time well.
Communicate effectively
As teachers you will become expert communicators. Through both the faculty based work and in your professional practice, you will be supported in your development of both oral and written communication.
Work collaboratively
Teachers never work in isolation. They work with the most powerful of learners (children) and as part of a team of people with the child's interests at heart. Every child matters and every child is unique. Working with their first educators (their parents and carers and families) you will become part of a professional team of educators working with professionals, sometimes from other agencies, to support young learners. We support you in your ability to become a 'team player' through encouraging study groups and requiring some assessment to be presented jointly. You also undertake your early professional practice as part of a small team.
Develop IT skills
You will have access on this course to workshops and resources which will support your own proficiency in IT and also enable you to become a competent teacher using ICT in support of learning. You will become familiar with appropriate software and have access to an electronic learning environment which is used in the support of your professional modules.
Professional commitment
As a teacher you will become a role model for children. During this course we give you support and advice which begins with the recognition of the importance of attendance at your lectures and seminars and acknowledges the additional work you might offer to undertake - perhaps as a mentor with other year groups or voluntary work you might be engaged with. A successful completion of this course demonstrates that you have the personal and professional values to be recommended to become a member of the teaching profession.
Training and Development Agency for Schools (TDA)
Following the review of Standards and Requirements for Initial Teacher Training (ITT) by the Secretary of State in 2007, the Department of Education has designed its full-time programmes to be compliant with the latest standards and requirements.
Initial Teacher Training (ITT) programmes are under continual review in order to ensure that they meet the requirements for QTS.
For further information on Provisional Registration and the suitability assessment please visit www.gtce.org.uk/registration/provisional_registration/.
For further information on your career in teaching, including salary scales and case studies of current trainee teachers, visit www.tda.gov.uk.
Find out more about our academic staff, their teaching expertise and research interests.
Study time
This is a full-time intensive, professional programme. Your commitment to the course will require you to attend University on most days. Sometimes the sessions may start at 08.30 and last until 17.30. When on teaching placement you will be required to attend on a full-time basis.
Assessment
We use a range of assessment types, including oral and poster presentations, portfolios and written assignments, some of which are written under exam conditions.
Special Features
Placements
Throughout the undergraduate ITE courses you will be working in work-based settings on a number of occasions with teaching experiences taking place each year, and a final extended professional practice in your third year. The relationship between schools and university during your training will be a dynamic one - as we work in close partnership to develop your confidence and competence. The Department is currently developing innovative new models of partnership to ensure you get the very best experience of working with children and gaining from the expertise of outstanding professionals in schools.
Study facilities
The Department of Education provides a pleasant environment in which to study. Its modern, purpose-built facilities provide high quality teaching rooms with state-of-the-art technology available. The Department has excellent IT facilities and houses an Open Learning Area with the latest equipment including an interactive whiteboard, CD burners, scanners and a range of equipment that can be booked out and borrowed, including digital cameras and laptops, with friendly staff on hand to help when needed.
"The facilities at the Department of Education are excellent and the programme certainly prepared me well for my current teaching job."
Julia, Primary (ITE)
Careers/further study
The course is designed so that you meet the standards in order to gain a recommendation for Qualified Teacher Status (QTS) and are able to teach all subjects of the National Curriculum. Many students subsequently take on postgraduate study as part of their ongoing professional development, and in order to specialise in specific areas such as Special Educational Needs.
For those interested specifically in teaching in the Early Years we recommend that you follow the degree programme BA(Hons) Primary Early Years Education (ITE).
With the cost of Higher Education increasing, making the decision to study at university can seem daunting. But we believe it can greatly benefit you by enhancing your skills and improving your job prospects, in addition to being a worthwhile experience in its own right.
Graduate destinations
Find out what our graduates are doing six months after graduating- includes examples of careers, employers and further study. Download a PDF from graduate destinations.
Key employer partnerships
UWE highly values its long standing partnerships with some 400 secondary, further education, primary and early year settings across the South West and beyond and welcomes applications from new partnership schools and colleges. Partnership with UWE offers schools, colleges and early years settings the opportunity to play a major part in training the next generation of teachers and to gain support for existing teachers in professional development. Additionally, working with trainees, in partnership with the University, can have a positive impact on pupils' learning.
Creating employable students
UWE places strong emphasis on employability and skills development at every level. Through work placements, volunteering, study abroad and UWE initiatives which nurture talent and encourage innovation, students gain valuable real world experience and graduate with diverse career opportunities and a competitive place in the job market.
See great graduate prospects for further information.
Be inspired
Read how Jo found relevant work experience as a playworker.
Useful links
UWE - careers in education and teaching
Prospects - careers in teaching and education
The UWE careers service provides guidance and support throughout your studies in addition to useful resources, CV checks, career coaching and details of current job vacancies.
Entry
Typical offers
- Tariff points: Normally 320 minimum
- GCSE: maths, science and English language at grade C or above required.
- Relevant subjects: A post-16 qualification in a National Curriculum subject is advantageous.
- Access: Achievement of the Access to HE Diploma; QAA approved and linked to ITE (Initial Teacher Education), achievement of level 3 credits equivalent to A level in relevant subjects; achievement of level 2 credits in maths and English language and science.
Advice on typical offers
In addition to the 'typical offer' given here, please read the general information about
entry requirements.
Entry requirements
Admission is subject to satisfactory interview. The interview process will assess professional suitability for a career in teaching and applicants must complete a period of school experience in a Primary School prior to interview (a total of 10 days or more, not necessarily in one block). On the interview day all applicants will be required to pass a literacy task, designed to test ability to use English to a satisfactory level. Extra time can be given to those declaring a disability such as dyslexia.
Suitable applicants from groups under-represented in teaching (male applicants for primary teaching, applicants from BME communities or low participation neighbourhoods, applicants with disabilities, mature applicants) without necessary GCSEs or equivalent qualifications may be offered the opportunity to show they can meet the required standards by taking an equivalence test set by the University.
All offers will be subject to a successful medical and Criminal Records Bureau (CRB) clearance. Since September 2008 there has been a DCSF requirement that trainee teachers obtain provisional registration with the GTCE prior to the commencement of the teaching course.
For further information on Provisional Registration and the suitability assessment please visit www.gtce.org.uk/registration/provisional_registration/.
Please note that a new government took office on 11 May 2010 and this is likely to be reviewed.
General enquiries
For admissions enquiries, please contact:
Telephone: +44 (0)117 32 83333
E-mail: Admissions@uwe.ac.uk
Fees
www.uwe.ac.uk/money/index.shtml
How to apply
Please see the general information about applications.
We consider every application but due to strong competition we cannot guarantee an interview for every applicant.
For further information
Page last updated 14 December 2011