Programme Structure
The Primary 5-11 programme will support you to gain the knowledge, skills and understanding of teaching and learning necessary to work effectively in Key Stages 1 (5-7) and 2 (7-11).
It is comprised of four strands:
Subject Knowledge and Applied Pedagogy
This will support you in developing your personal subject knowledge, your knowledge of the curriculum and your knowledge of how to support young learners to engage with the content of the school curriculum.
Professional Studies
This provides you with an introduction to the generic skills of the teacher and will focus on aspects such as safeguarding, behaviour management, planning and assessment.
Research Literacy
All PGCE Primary courses culminate in the award of a Level 7 Postgraduate Certificate in Education. Throughout the programme you will be supported to think critically about teaching and learning, drawing on your lived experiences, current research, related policy and professional practice.
School Experience
You will spend a minimum of 120 days in school where you will work with expert colleagues to practice, develop and refine your skills. During your school experience you will draw upon what you have learned from sessions at University, applying this to meet the needs of the children in your school or setting.
Upon successful completion of all aspects of the programme and meeting the Teachers' Standards during your experiences in school, you will be recommended for Qualified Teacher Status (QTS).
Programme Delivery
The Primary 5-11 Programme has been designed to provide a gradual and supported introduction to the profession. You will have school placements in Key Stages 1 (5-7) and 2 (7-11) and will be in a minimum of two contrasting school settings.
Stage One - Introducing and Preparing (September to December)
You will begin your learning at the University where you will be introduced to curriculum documentation and relevant policies that underpin the work of the teacher. You will have input in all curriculum subjects, led by tutors who are experts in the field. You will also begin your Level 7 study, focusing on issues of inclusion and how teachers can support pupils with Special Educational Needs. In Stage 1 you will spend a significant amount of time in school, where you will work with an expert mentor to practice and refine your emerging skills. This stage will provide a foundation for the learning that will follow across the rest of the programme.
Stage Two - Developing and Securing (typically January to March)
You will begin this stage with sessions at University, reflecting on what you have learned from Stage 1 and building on your knowledge and understanding in readiness for your next block of school experience. A focus for this this stage will be on ensuring progression across learning and your Level 7 focus for this stage will be on developing your understanding of assessment. You will spend a significant period of time in school during this stage where you will usually have the opportunity to further develop your skills in a contrasting school or setting from Stage 1.
Stage 3 - Refining and Embedding (typically March to July)
You will spend the majority of your time in this stage in school where you will be supported by expert colleagues to put all you have learned into practice and gain an understanding of the wider responsibilities of the teacher. By the end of this stage, and with the support of colleagues in school, you will be expected to take full responsibility for teaching and learning as if you were an early career teacher.
Qualified Teacher Status
During each stage of school experience your progress will be mapped against core competencies. These indicate the practice that is expected from student teachers at each specific stage. A summary assessment is made at the end of each stage that indicates if you are making sufficient progress to proceed to the next stage of your training. By the end of Stage 3, you will be expected to have met all of the Teachers' Standards and a summative assessment will be completed. Once it is agreed that you have met the Teachers' Standards, you will then be recommended for QTS.