Initial Teacher Education at Bath Spa University

Bath Spa University has a long tradition of Initial Teacher Education (ITE) dating back 60 years. Newton Park was officially opened as Bath Teacher Training College in 1950 and the University is now the largest provider of ITE in the area.

Each year we recruit a diverse group of around 500 prospective teachers to a wide range of programmes in Initial Teacher Education, leading to the award of either the Postgraduate or Professional Graduate Certificate in Education, both with Qualified Teacher Status (QTS).

Master's Credits

All candidates are registered for the Postgraduate Certificate in Education. This qualification carries 60 credits, of which 45 are at Master's Level.  Some candidates elect to follow the Professional Graduate Certificate in Education.  This qualification carries 60 credits, of which up to 30 can be at Master's level.

Philosophy

The ITE programme is underpinned by four key principles.  We believe that these are central to the process of becoming an effective teacher.

You will be expected to challenge your own thinking about the sort of teacher you are becoming, and how you will teach.

ITE Programme

The ITE programme prepares new teachers to work in the 21st Century education system, and draws upon research, best practice and the use of new technologies to inform its curriculum. We offer programmes in:

ITE Curriculum

The ITE curriculum is organised around five key themes:

The Bath Spa Teacher

At the end of the programme all Bath Spa Teachers will:

  1. understand education and its purposes within the context of the community;
  2. hold a set of core values and beliefs;
  3. be passionate about education;
  4. be highly skilled;
  5. be able to shape their own professional development;
  6. possess expert knowledge;
  7. work with colleagues to raise pupil achievement;
  8. be caring and committed to promoting pupil wellbeing and behaviour;
  9. be creative and innovative.

Learning Partners

All of our programmes are planned and implemented in close collaboration with a range of learning partners.  These include children and young people, teachers, other education professionals and University tutors.  A high proportion of the year is spent in school developing the technical expertise and craft knowledge required by teachers.  School placements are varied so that many candidates will have experience of teaching in different types of schools and settings. A range of enrichment and optional professional development opportunities are also available across the year.

Assessment

A personalised process of continuous assessment ensures that your learning is appropriate and effective. Assessment takes account of both your programme experience and the school or setting phase and includes researching your developing practice through assignment tasks. We support you in developing a rigorous evidence-based account of your educational journey.

Subject Knowledge Enhancement Courses

We run pre-ITE subject knowledge enhancement courses, which are designed for graduates who are interested in teaching a secondary priority subject but who may not necessarily have a degree in that subject. They vary in length depending on the subject and run prior to the ITE programme. Subjects include design and technology, ICT, modern languages, mathematics and physics.

Turn Your Talent to Teaching

Teaching is an important and increasingly popular choice of career for all kinds of people. Bath Spa University actively welcomes applications from candidates from a wide variety of backgrounds. What matters most is that you have the desire to become an effective teacher and learner. Many candidates join us straight from university but an increasing number of people are choosing to pursue teaching as a second career, bringing with them valuable knowledge and experience from the workplace.

Teaching is a career where you can inspire children and young people by bringing your own knowledge and creativity to your subject. It offers job security and a structured career path, along with a starting salary of at least £20k and a good pension scheme.

Accessible to All

We have built our success on accessibility and equality of opportunity.  The unique study and social environment we offer is a key factor in our distinctiveness – and in our popularity.  Our students come from a range of backgrounds and cultures, from all parts of this country and from overseas, and with a variety of academic credentials.

Staff Who Care

All of our staff are accessible, supportive and passionate about their subjects.  They are also enthusiastic about developing creative and exciting approaches to teaching and learning. They undertake what we call 'teaching-led research'. This means they are actively engaged in research and scholarship so that their professional and academic expertise is current, and often cutting edge – but the research is of direct benefit to you. It is relevant and applied, and used to inform what, and how, you are taught.

The Bath Spa University Community

When students are asked what they like about Bath Spa University they often say that it is "small and friendly" and that they appreciate the community feel. With around 6,000 students it's small enough for students to feel that they won't get lost in the crowd – but large enough to provide excellent facilities and social activities. There is an atmosphere of mutual respect and tolerance among students and staff, firmly embedded in a policy of equality and diversity.