Course summary

This foundation degree is a work-based learning programme which is a blend of practice-based, campus-based and online learning allowing you to continue to work or volunteer as a Teaching Assistant (TA) in Primary and Early Years settings throughout the course. This programme is designed to support students to develop their work-based practice in primary schools and EY settings through a programme which is focussed on the primary and EY pedagogy and curricula. It will support TAs to develop their own practice by developing their understanding of theory. As a Foundation degree, it is designed to enable people who had not previously thought about academic study to begin their HE journey. It also facilitates students who want or need to ‘earn while they learn’ to potentially continue their paid employment for much of the course. It will also support students who know that they want to work towards training to teach in primary or early years settings in England. As such, the course is closely aligned with current DfE priorities for those training to teach in primary and EY. This course does not include QTS, but is the ideal preparation for those that wish to continue their training towards a qualified teaching career. Students on this course may choose to progress to the BA (Hons) Primary Teaching Studies with QTS top-up degree programme which will enable them to gain the qualification necessary for teaching in most primary schools in England. Alternatively, they may progress to other education related top-up degrees to complete a full BA (Hons) degree. Throughout the two-year programme, students will build on their previous and current experience of working as a TA in Primary and Early Year settings. In year one, they will be introduced to academic writing and literacies in higher education and supported to develop links between theory and practice in modules that focus on supporting children in core subjects and safeguarding children. They will build on their practical understanding of behaviour management approaches making links to current guidance and ideas, and begin to plan for their own professional development. In year two, there will be further work on students’ own professional development with specific focus on preparing for the next stage of their higher education journey, and for many students, this will be focussed around preparing for teacher training in the future. Students will undertake a piece of educational research, develop their understanding of SEND and inclusion, and develop their understanding of foundation subjects in primary and the early years. This programme is a blended learning programme meaning that usually, students will attend campus-based sessions four times per academic year, and engage in online learning, and learning within their home school setting for the remainder of the programme. This programme will allow successful graduates to continue to earn as they study, develop their professional practice and by developing their practice through HE study usually within the setting in which they are employed, will equip them with additional knowledge and skills to enhance their employability within the sector.