Course summary

Are you a teaching assistant currently working in a primary school, or working in an equivalent educational setting? If you’ve recently completed a relevant Foundation Degree and are looking to pursue a career in primary teaching, then this course could be a perfect next step for you. The course is a stimulating and challenging degree at honours level, developing the qualities required in 21st century teachers. A combination of practice-based learning, campus-based sessions and private study will allow you to continue in work whilst studying, and use of the Virtual Learning Environment will enable you to access course materials and undertake tasks in your own time. A combination of practice-based learning, campus-based sessions and private study will allow you to continue in work whilst studying, and use of the Virtual Learning Environment will enable you to access course materials and undertake tasks in your own time. You’ll examine current theory, with each module containing teaching, assessment and independent work, all of which are directly relevant to the primary classroom. School placements will ensure the knowledge and skills you acquire are also strongly anchored in practice. This is a stimulating and challenging vocational degree course that also leads to a professional qualification. To make the most of it you’ll need to be highly motivated and well-organised, and equally confident in learning with others as learning independently. In return, you’ll benefit from the opportunity to equip yourself with the academic and professional qualities required in 21st-century teachers. This course is aimed at teaching assistants working in primary schools. It allows you to combine your work in a school with study towards an honours degree. There is weekly attendance with sessions running from 1-8 pm on Thursdays. You will examine the National Curriculum and other initiatives with a view to practical applications in the classroom. Specialist tutors from across the University College are encouraged to contribute to distinct subject sessions and you are fully briefed on your professional role. This course ensures that theory is firmly anchored in practice. This is particularly relevant to the small-scale research project you will be asked to complete. School placements are an integral part of the course and you will be assessed against the national Qualified Teacher Status (QTS) standards. The final teaching placement will usually occur during the autumn term of the second year. There is a range of assessments built into this course including an individual presentation, assignments small-scale research, reports and work-based portfolios. Teaching placements are also assessed against the current national standards for qualified teacher status. All assessments are marked by a range of tutors and you will receive detailed feedback. Former graduates of the progression route with QTS have become successful teachers in a range of primary settings. Many have become subject co-ordinators after as little as one year of teaching. Find out more: https://www.bishopg.ac.uk/course/primteachqts/