
Opleiding: PGCE Early Years
Learning purpose
Teaching is a varied, challenging and rewarding profession requiring advanced teaching skills and an empathy with the learning needs of young children. This programme covers Foundation and Key Stage 1, age range three to seven years.
Successful completion of our programme, combined with the Teacher Training Agency (TTA) tests in English language, mathematics and information communication technology (ICT), leads to recommendation for Qualified Teacher Status.
There is an emphasis on children's motivation and needs in multi-cultural, multi-lingual and multi-faith schools.
Programme
On the programme and on placement you will be exposed to the full range of school subjects allowing a highly varied programme and an opportunity to learn in a variety of ways.
During the University-based component you learn to teach competently in Foundation Stage settings and to study National Curriculum subjects (and religious education) for primary school, with their appropriate pedagogy.
You will also be introduced to the practical aspects of classroom management and some of the wider issues concerning primary education.
You spend the school-based part of the programme (approximately 90 days or about two-thirds of the programme) on two placements in a Key Stage 1 classroom and in a Foundation Stage setting. Initially, you will be assisting the classteacher and then taking responsibility for a class for a substantial period in the spring and summer terms.
You will be placed in one of our partnership schools whose teachers have been trained to act as montors and to support and assess you.
Five-days-a-week for 38 weeks,with self directed study throughout the Christmas and Easter holiday periods. You should expect a normal length teaching day throughout your school or foundation stage placement. Full attendance is required.
All university-based modules are assessed on a pass-fail basis by coursework. School experience is assessed against the Standards for Qualified Teacher Status and you must pass all modules. You do not have an automatic right to reassessment for the school experience modules.
- Foundation Stage Curriculum (10 Credits) - Compulsory
- This module aims to develop an understanding of the distinctive characteristics of the education of Foundation Stage pupils. In particular it aims to enable students to understand the purpose, scope and breadth of the whole curriculum and the opportunities that are offered across the curriculum for the development of all abilities, aptitudes and skills of every pupil in the Foundation Stage. It aims to develop a creative approach to teaching and has a specific focus on outdoor provision and on assessment.
- Preparation for School Experience and School Experience 1 (30 Credits) - Compulsory
- This module aims to prepare students for their first School Experience by supporting their preparation and enabling them to collaborate with each other, their school-based mentors, classteachers, staff and parents/carers so that they can address the standards specified by the DfES Circular 02/02 Qualifying To Teach while undertaking on School Experience 1.
- Preparation for School Experience and School Experience 2 (30 Credits) - Compulsory
- The aim of this module is to provide for an extended, individual school experience in a Foundation Stage setting in which trainess teach for the most of the timetable across the week and for a period of six weeks. This includes an opportunity to plan, implement, observe and assess children s learning and for trainees to evaluate their own teaching. Planning and implementation includes an opportunity to work with and manage a team of staff and to work parents/carers so that they can address the standards specified by the DfES Circular 02/02 Qualifying To Teach while.
- Professional Studies (10 Credits) - Compulsory
- The aim of this module is for students to understand their professional role as teachers and to understand the cross curricula issues in primary education as required by the DfES Circular 02/02 Qualifying To Teach.
- Science and ICT (10 Credits) - Compulsory
Divided into two parts, Science and ICT, prepares students to the securriculum areas in Foundation Stage and in Key Stage 1 using the Curriculum Guidance for the Foundation Stage and the National Curriculum.
Entry Requirements
You must have a 2:2 Bachelors honours degree or above. All subjects are considered but if your degree does not have 50% content in a National Curriculum subject you must have one good A level pass in a National Curriculum subject You must have GCSE grade C in Maths, English Science before applying. It is essential that you undertake at least 2 weeks work experience in a UK or Republic of Ireland Early Years context before applying
Professional perspective and employment market
In recent years an average of 94% of the total of trainees took up a full-time post, and 57% of these were in partnership schools.
Our Careers Service offers you a range of support both while you're studying with us - and after you've graduated.
Placements
Work placements are integral to the PGCE Early Years degree. Our course is well-known for having a strong and committed partnership with local schools, whose mentors and class teachers train with the University. As a student, you will have the opportunity for rich and varied placements in the multilingual, multicultural and multifaith schools.

