Initial Teacher Education at Bath Spa

Bath Spa University has a long tradition of Initial Teacher Education (ITE) dating back over 60 years. Created as Bath Teacher Training College in 1947, the University is now the largest provider of Initial Teacher Education in the area.

Each year we recruit a diverse group of around 500 prospective teachers to our 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).

ITE Programme

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

• Primary and Early Years (3–7 age phase);
• Primary and Early Years (5-11 age phase);
• Secondary (11–16 age phase) – subjects include art and design, design and technology, English, information and communications technology (ICT), mathematics, modern languages, music, physical education, religious education and science;
• Key Stage 2/3 (7–14 age phase) – subjects include maths, modern languages and science.

All programmes emphasise the following themes:

• Professionalism;
• Educational philosophy, policy and purpose;
• Equality and diversity;
• Pedagogy and practical skills;
• Knowledge transformation and learning.

Programme Structure

During the ITE programme you will build up confidence and competence in your teaching ability through a phased programme of development. The content of all our programmes is relevant to the National Curriculum and you will build your understanding and teaching skills within this framework.

All of our programmes are planned and taught in close collaboration with teachers in schools.

A high proportion of your time is spent on school phases, working with children and young people, teachers and other education professionals and university tutors. The school phases are varied so that many candidates will have experience of teaching in different types of school or setting.

The Bath Spa Teacher

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

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

Assessment

You will be assessed continuously through your programme whilst on the school or setting phases and also through a range of assignments. Throughout the programme you will work on a personalised education plan, which you will develop in negotiation with teachers and other professionals in schools and with your university tutors.

Your programme gives you the opportunity for accreditation at Honours (H) or Master’s (M) level. If all of the relevant assignments are passed at Master’s level your award would be the Postgraduate Certificate in Education. If the relevant assignments are passed at Honours level your award would be the Professional Graduate Certificate in Education.

Subject Knowledge Enhancement Courses

We also run pre-Initial Teacher Education 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, physics and science. See page 52 for further information.

Turn Your Talent to Teaching

Teaching is an important and increasingly popular choice of career for all kinds of people. Bath Spa actively welcomes applications from candidates from a wide variety of backgrounds. What matters most is the belief that you have what it takes to be a good teacher. 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 inquisitive minds 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, and they put a lot of effort into developing dynamic approaches to teaching and assessment. They undertake what we call ‘teaching-led research’. That means they’re 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’s relevant and applied, and used to inform what, and how, you are taught.

The Bath Spa 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 5,500 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.