PGCE Primary and Early Years (3-7 Years) Full Time

The Primary and Early Years PGCE programmes are Ofsted Grade 1 and Bath Spa University is an Outstanding provider of Primary and Early Years Initial Teacher Education.

The PGCE Primary and Early Years programmes are tailored to support you in developing the professional attributes, knowledge, confidence and skills required for teaching in this age-phase.

The programmes are designed to enable you to demonstrate competence in the TA Teachers' Standards, and to prepare you to become a strong member of this demanding but rewarding profession.

Why study PGCE Primary and Early Years (3-7 Years) Full Time?

In May, 2011, Ofsted reported that a key strength of the programme was “the cohesion between central and school-based training”. They also reported that “a very clear and well-articulated philosophy, which has the needs of learners at its heart, underpins all aspects of the primary and early years programmes.” As stated in their report the Primary and Early Years BSTs are, “highly reflective and take full responsibility for their own learning and classroom practice.”

Course structure

The full-time programmes last for approximately 37 weeks, 18 of which are spent in a school or educational settings. Throughout the programmes we will explore models of teaching and the many ways in which young children develop and learn. Emphases will also be placed on the importance of parents/carers, families, schools/settings and communities and the impact of these on children’s learning and well-being. On the full time programme and during the University phases you will attend the University for three full days and school for two full days each week.

For those following the part time 3-7 age phase your school/setting assessed placements will take place in the Early Years Foundation Stage (3-5) and in Key Stage 1 (5-7).

Course assessment

In order to be recommended for one of the PGCE awards you will be required to undertake a range of assignments which assess your knowledge and understanding of issues and practices related to teaching and learning. If you select the Postgraduate option these assignments will require additional study and a higher level of critical analysis.

You will be required to pass two assessed school/setting phases which will demonstrate your understanding and skills in planning for, teaching and assessing children’s learning.

You will also need to complete the National Skills tests in mathematics, English and ICT.

All of the above assessments will demonstrate that you have met the National Standards for Qualified Teacher Status (QTS).

PGCE programmes are taught by highly qualified and experienced staff both in University and in
partner schools or other settings. Teaching accommodation is located on the Newton Park campus
and Southdown site and in several partner schools. University teaching takes place in rooms equipped with relevant texts, equipment, training materials and electronic resources. Open access computer facilities are available. The University’s Virtual Learning Environment (Minerva) provides remote access to a wide range of resources.

Set texts are recommended for readings.

The Library holds a wide collection of teaching and learning resources.

Teaching methods

The purpose of the University phase of the course is to encourage critical thinking and dialogue about
research, national initiatives, classroom practice and to support Bath Spa Teachers in the process of reflective evaluation. This element of the course ensures that Bath Spa Teachers explore and critique the relationship between theory and practice through:

• discrete subject and pedagogy teaching;
• integrated project based sessions;
• rigorous review and target setting tutorials.

During the course Bath Spa Teachers will be placed in at least two schools or settings, where they will
work with teachers, learners, additional adults, a school mentor and a University tutor to support their
professional development. Placements are designed to be progressive, moving through the course
phases in exploration, consolidation and innovation. This will give Bath Spa Teachers the opportunity
to become familiar with the work of a school/setting and the nature of, and the relationship between,
teaching and learning.

Course enquiries

Please contact the Admissions Officer:

Telephone: (01225) 875603.

teaching@bathspa.ac.uk.

Entry requirements

In addition to the general entry requirements you will need a good honours degree (preferably 2:1 or above) which can be in any subject area, though your educational background should provide a good foundation for primary and early years teaching.

Career opportunities

The PGCE course at Bath Spa University has shown that it can produce high calibre teachers with the relevant skills, knowledge, understanding and experiences necessary to follow a career in teaching, in a range of different educational contexts.

What students say...

A very clear and well-articulated philosophy, which has the needs of learners at its heart, underpins all aspects of the primary and early years training programmes. As a result, Bath Spa Teachers consistently make good or better progress relative to their starting points, which are accurately assessed. Bath Spa Teachers are highly reflective and take full responsibility for the improvement of their own learning and classroom practice.

The support of highly effective personal tutors in helping Bath Spa Teachers make such good progress is highly valued. Tutors ensure that the training is extremely well focused on meeting individual trainees’ needs by arranging additional input and experience when necessary. A key strength is the cohesion between central and school-based training; the structure and content of the training provide well-timed opportunities for trainees to put into practice in their teaching what they have learnt about in theory.