Primary Education

Are you an existing primary education practitioner looking to develop your career in the primary education sector or someone who aspires to work in the field of children's education?

This course is a great option for existing practitioners, such as teaching assistants, or those who are looking at joining the sector. Primary education provides the key foundation of learning for children and prepares the trajectory for all aspects of children's lives, including their health, development and educational outcomes. A career in primary education provides the opportunity to support children on this journey and to aid each individual child to fulfil their potential.

This two-year foundation degree course will help you develop your understanding of the theoretical and practical elements of working in primary education, with specific reference to the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) and Key Stages 1 and 2 of the National Curriculum. It offers the opportunity to deepen your knowledge and understanding of a broad spectrum of subjects related to primary education, including; planning and assessment, the curriculum and the curriculum areas of English, mathematics and science.

The lectures and assessment tasks will enhance your knowledge and experience of primary education, through teaching and discussion of a broad range of topics. These will reference your individual area of practice and your own local authority area and will include contemporary issues within the sector. Class sizes at UCP are typically less than 20, which provides a great opportunity for group discussions and the building of close relationships and networking opportunities.

What can this course lead to?
After successful completion of the FD Early Years and Education, you have the opportunity to progress to the BA (Hons) Education Studies (Top-up) course at University Centre Peterborough to obtain a full honours degree with a further year of study. Following this, many of our graduates proceed to Initial Teacher Training in order to pursue a career as a qualified teacher.

The course can lead to a broad range of future careers with a focus upon children and families.

Just some of the future careers for graduates after completing the course include:

HLTA (Higher Level Teaching Assistant)
Play Therapist
Early Years / Primary School Teacher
Education / Nursery Management
Special Needs Coordinator
Family Support Worker
Children’s Centre Management
Education Welfare Officer
Social Worker
Learning Mentor
Note that some careers may require further study or experience beyond the Foundation Degree.

YEAR 1 (LEVEL 4)
Introduction to EYFS & National Curriculum (15 credits)
Planning & Assessment in Primary Education (30 credits)
Child Development and Learning (30 credits)
Children's Mental Health & Wellbeing (15 credits)
Academic & Professional Practice 1: Primary Education (30 credits)

YEAR 2 (LEVEL 5)
Safeguarding Children and Young People (30 credits)
English in Primary Education (30 credits)
Mathematics in Primary Education (15 credits)
Science in Primary Education (15 credits)
Academic & Professional Practice 2: Primary Education (30 credits)

A typical 15 credit module is 150 hours includes 36 hours of tutor led delivery and 114 hours of recommended independent study. A typical 30 credit module is 300 hours includes 72 hours of tutor led delivery and 228 hours of recommended independent study. A full-time student should expect to undertake 30 additional hours per week during term-time.

YEAR 1 (LEVEL 4)
70% Coursework
30% Group Activities

YEAR 2 (LEVEL 5)
70% Coursework
30% Group Activities

The following classifications are determined by the above calculation:
70%+ First
60-69% 2:1
50-59% 2:2
40-49% Third

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:

• Course does not award QTS