BA (Hons) Primary Education 5-11 years (Upr) Bachelor's degree at York St John University

This module is the first step in your journey towards Qualified Teacher Status (QTS). You will begin to explore how both you, and the children you will be teaching, learn and build core skills, knowledge and understanding. We will discuss safeguarding processes, professionalism in an educational setting and behaviour management in the classroom. You will also learn to plan for and assess pupil progress and be introduced to the educational theory which will underpin your professional practice.

The core subjects for the primary National Curriculum are English, Mathematics and Science. This module will ensure you are equipped with specific knowledge and skills in these core areas. You will develop effective strategies for teaching and learning within these individual subjects. This is an opportunity to identify gaps in your own knowledge as well as developing the values and philosophies you bring with you to your teaching.

A primary teacher is required to have a strong subject knowledge and pedagogical understanding across a broad range of areas. Focusing on Key Stage 1, this module will give you the tools you need to plan, teach and assess across the wider curriculum, and respond to diverse learning needs. This includes art, computing, design and technology, geography, history, languages, music, PE, PSHE and RE. You will be introduced to and evaluate both subject-based and thematic ways of planning and organising

This module will introduce you to the classroom environment and the role of the teacher. It is the first step towards a more responsible teaching role and eventually gaining Early Career Teacher (ECT) status. Your first placement will be over a 6 week period and will typically involve you being placed in a class with other student teachers, allowing you to work both individually and as a team.

When you study Primary Education you achieve both a professional QTS qualification and a full academic degree. This module reflects the blend of professional and academic study within the degree, and will focus on 3 distinct but complementary competencies: Agency and autonomy, Academic skills, Knowledge and enhancement. An understanding of these areas will provide a solid baseline for future development throughout the course.

While this module is based around the same key topics as Professional Studies 1, you will cover new ground and delve deeper into them. There is a stronger focus on special educational needs, disabilities and inclusion. Learning to meet the needs of all individuals is an important part of the primary teacher's role, and in this module you will discover how to adapt your teaching to ensure the progression of all children. You will learn about the legislation surrounding inclusion, how you can adap

Building on the first year core curriculum module, you will further develop your subject specific skills, knowledge and understanding of the three core subjects of the primary National Curriculum. There will be a strong focus on mapping progression within the subjects. This includes considering and evaluating effective assessment strategies. The module will allow you to make direct links between theory and practice, through tasks which reflect authentic classroom experience.

This module consolidates and extends the subject knowledge you will have built in the first year wider curriculum module. You will only study this module if you are on the 5-11 pathway, and we specifically focus on the wider curriculum at Key Stage 2. You will be encouraged to reflect on how innovative practices can be incorporated into your teaching across a broad, balanced curriculum. You will also consider the role of learning outside the classroom.

This placement represents a step up from your first, in that you will be leading the teaching in a classroom on your own. The block placement is also longer, and you will build up to teaching 60-70% of the timetable. You will develop a more autonomous and independent role in the classroom and become part of the wider life of the school as you progress towards your QTS status. You will also be required to critically reflect on your own continuing professional development as a teacher and as a stu

This module will begin your critical journey as a teacher-researcher. You will engage with a range of established educational research before moving on to learning how to plan, design and carry out your own research project. You will gain an understanding of research methods and approaches, as well as learning to communicate arguments effectively. This will also enable you to use published research to inform your teaching.

Your final Professional Studies module will focus heavily on pupil progress and assessment. As your responsibility and accountability as a teacher grows, this is something you will need to take increasing ownership of. There is also a focus on professionalism and employability. As you approach the end of your studies, it is important that you are confident in formulating and articulating your own personal philosophy of education. You will develop as an autonomous professional able to make judgem

On this module you will engage in critical, reflective and informed debate and a range of issues which affect our education system today. It is important to be able to interpret and respond to trends and issues arising and changing in the world of education. This includes ongoing debates within wider political, social, psychological and international contexts. You will use these debates to contextualise your own values, beliefs and professional approach to teaching.

This is the culmination of your professional studies. You will undertake an extended placement of around 10 weeks, where you will build up to teaching 80% of the timetable. Make the most of your final placement as an opportunity to refine your professional skills and take on wider responsibilities. You will become, to all intents and purposes, the class teacher and will demonstrate that you are ready to take on your own class as an ECT.

Use what you learnt in your second year Research Informed Professional module to plan, design, carry out and present an education research project. This usually takes the form of a dissertation. It is up to you to decide the specific focus and title of your project. This will need to be agreed with your tutor, who will be there to support you in carrying out your own independent research. Learning to analyse and respond to research which critically informs your teaching will be an asset througho

This is one of the areas of the course which you can tailor to suit your own personal interests and goals. You will choose one module from a range available, which is likely to include: Early years philosophy and practice in education, Creativity and sustainability in education, Thinking and philosophy for children, Outdoor learning, Mental health and wellbeing in education, Teaching and assessment, Teaching and learning.