Primary Education Teaching and Learning

Students taking part on the course may get involved in a range of trips and activities. Past students have enjoyed trips to a Steiner School near York looking at alternative philosophies of teaching and learning. Students on the course also take part in a range of team building activities and socialise as a group at organised events - this helps you to learn from colleagues and other students in both informal as well as formal settings.

You must have secured a signed agreement of a Head teacher to accept you for a placement in a Primary Class for at least 45 days per year (full-time) and an up-to-date DBS certificate.

As well as your placement, you will be able to take part in a 2 day placement in a different primary school. Our students often tell us this is a valuable insight into the way that different primary schools operate. All staff teaching on the course are former or existing Primary school practitioners who are able to bring a wealth of valuable experience, real-life examples and case studies into the classroom.

All students take a total of 120 credits per level.

Level 4 Modules (all modules are mandatory) include:

Supporting Teaching and Learning in English
Supporting Teaching and Learning in Mathematics
Supporting Teaching and learning in Science
Supporting Teaching and learning in Computing
SEND, Inclusion and Teaching & Learning Theories
Professional Practice
Level 5 Modules (all modules are mandatory) include:

Safeguarding and Trauma Based Practice
Supporting Teaching and Learning in the Foundation Subjects
Planning, Assessing and Evaluating Teaching and Learning
Supporting Teaching and Learning in PE, Health and Well-Being
Facilitating Change in Primary Education
Developing Professional Practice

You will study a common core of introductory modules designed to familiarise you with differing approaches in supporting the teaching and learning of primary English, Mathematics, Science and Computing and primary teaching and learning technologies to help you apply key theories, concepts and skills to the primary classroom. There will be opportunities to draw upon established and current primary age educational theories throughout all modules. The Professional, personal and academic practice of the primary teaching assistant will develop students understanding of personal development planning rationale and practices.

In the later stages of the course you will study how the challenging area of Special Education Needs and Disability and Inclusive Teaching and Learning practice impacts upon your teaching and learning support. Additionally, you will begin to research Contemporary primary educational policy and practice that affect teaching and learning and engage in your own Practice Based Research.

You will also examine the foundation curriculum subjects and explore Professional, personal and academic practice of the primary teaching assistant. You will become familiar with the Assessment methods used in schools and complete an analysis of a case study implementing change in the primary environment. This work based Learning will enable learners to consider, explore and examine the key attributes needed to become an effective and reflective practitioner.