Primary Education: Inclusion with SEND with QTS (5-11 Years)

Do you have a passion for enabling all children, whatever their background, to have full access to education? Motivated to help children overcome any barriers to learning that they may face? This unique and innovative course will equip you to become a confident and inspiring teacher with high expectations for all children. And, because the programme has QTS (Qualified Teacher Status) built-in, you can apply for a position as a teacher the minute you graduate.

*Accreditation for the award of Qualified Teacher Status (QTS) for September 2025 entry is through the University of Warwick. From September 2026, all students will receive both their professional QTS qualification and their academic qualification from the University of Cumbria.

COURSE OVERVIEW
Develop expertise in teaching children who face barriers to education with this unique specialism. One of the few QTS courses in the country to offer this area as a significant focus, the programme ensures that you develop the skills and knowledge to support the learning and development of all children, including those with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities. Put your passion for social justice into practice by uplifting the achievement and opportunity of traditionally disadvantaged children, training to become a life-changing SEND/Inclusion specialist teacher.

ON THIS COURSE YOU WILL...

• Spend at least 24 weeks in school placements, including specialist provision if you choose.

• Develop confidence and expertise based on a comprehensive understanding of the latest developments in inclusive education.

• Be supported by committed and friendly tutors.

• Benefit from small group sizes.

• Have the encouragement of a personal tutor, who will enable you to make the most of your time at university, and help you to overcome any challenges you may meet.

WHAT YOU WILL LEARN
This course covers all aspects of inclusion and social justice, but the main focus is on teaching those with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND). It will prepare you to be a reflective, effective teacher, able to meet the learning needs of pupils in the Primary age range, including those who experience barriers.

Our graduates are highly valued by teaching employers. You will learn specialist skills that make you an ideal candidate for any teaching post, not only in the UK, but across the world. Your degree will open-up options in special schools, further and higher education and related professions.

This course is structured to equip you to become an inspiring and dynamic teacher, delivering modules that lead you through curriculum teaching, key theoretical work and placement work.

Over the three years you will undertake a range of module, including:

• Inclusive Teaching and Learning modules

• Teaching and Learning in English modules

• Teaching and Learning in Maths modules

• Teaching and Learning in Phonics and early reading modules

• Teaching and Learning in Foundation Subjects

• Teaching and Leaning in SEND and Inclusion

The specialism includes modules that introduce key issues in SEND and Inclusion. You will study modules on the philosophy of SEND/Inclusion, barriers to learning, SEND policy and practice, inclusive teaching, and contextualised learning.

You will develop your knowledge and understanding of the above each year.

In your final year you will undertake a small-scale research project.

Q3

Assessments take a number of forms, from written assignments and portfolios to placement reflections and class participation. Students complete short formative pieces of work, which prepares them for their summative pieces of work. The formative work may be peer-reviewed or shared in a round table discussion.

Assessments include essays, reports, lesson plans, medium-term plans, pieces of research about pupil’s individual needs, creating resources for use in the classroom, and reflections. Assessments are designed to become more open and possible to individualise in the final year and include a piece of small-scale research exploring an aspect of Education in which they are personally interested.

Q4 OR AS Q3 ABOVE

The teaching and learning strategy has been developed to be student-centred, flexible and modern whilst being challenging and stimulating. It supports learners’ needs at different stages of development to ensure equality and access to learning. Learning is promoted through the integration of:

• Academic study
• Practical activity
• Placement experiences
  The programme modules utilise a full range of University of Cumbria digital resources and learning technology where suitable; for example, through the University’s virtual learning environment (Blackboard) and specialist resources. A variety of teaching and learning approaches will be used throughout the programme:
• Student-led seminars and presentations
• Debates
• Case studies
• Roleplay
• Evidence-based research (final year)
  These are designed to match the learning outcomes and support your development to becoming an independent learner.

Modules use formative and summative assessment so that your progress can be evaluated in a structured and constructive way. During placement, you will be expected to be reflective and make meaningful links between theory and practice.

Placement
You will have school-based placement experiences in each year of the four-year course. During the course there will be opportunities for both Key Stage One and Key Stage Two teaching experience leading to Qualified Teacher Status (QTS) – Primary (5-11 years); these placements are sourced by the University. You will have 32 weeks of placement experience in total; including the option to undertake one placement in a special school or specialist setting.

Initially, you will learn by observing classroom teachers and through tutorials with school-based mentors known as University Partnership Tutors. You will gradually put your knowledge and skills into action by teaching small groups initially; followed by whole classes of children as you build your confidence and expertise in promoting good progress and outcomes for children.

To work as a teacher at a state school in England or Wales, you will need to achieve qualified teacher status (QTS). This is offered on this course for the following level:

• Primary