PGCE Early Years

Overview & facilities

Teaching is a varied, challenging and rewarding profession requiring advanced teaching skills and an empathy with the learning needs of young children. This programme covers Foundation and Key Stage 1, age range three to seven years.

Successful completion of our programme, combined with the Teacher Training Agency (TTA) tests in English language, mathematics and information communication technology (ICT), leads to recommendation for Qualified Teacher Status.

There is an emphasis on children's motivation and needs in multi-cultural, multi-lingual and multi-faith schools.

Content & modules

During the University-based component you learn to teach competently in Foundation Stage settings and to study National Curriculum subjects (and religious education) for primary school, with their appropriate pedagogy.

You will also be introduced to the practical aspects of classroom management and some of the wider issues concerning primary education.

You spend the school-based part of the programme (approximately 90 days or about two-thirds of the programme) on two placements in a Key Stage 1 classroom and in a Foundation Stage setting. Initially, you will be assisting the classteacher and then taking responsibility for a class for a substantial period in the spring and summer terms.

You will be placed in one of our partnership schools whose teachers have been trained to act as montors and to support and assess you.

All university-based modules are assessed on a pass/fail basis by coursework. School experience is assessed against the Standards for Qualified Teacher Status and you must pass all modules.

The course runs five-days-a-week for 38 weeks,with self directed study throughout the Christmas and Easter holiday periods. You should expect a normal length teaching day throughout your school or foundation stage placement. Full attendance is required.

Modules

All modules listed below are compulsory.

Foundation Stage Curriculum
This module aims to develop an understanding of the distinctive characteristics of the education of Foundation Stage pupils. In particular it enables you to understand the purpose, scope and breadth of the whole curriculum and the opportunities that are offered across the curriculum for the development of all abilities, aptitudes and skills of every pupil in the Foundation Stage. It aims to develop a creative approach to teaching and has a specific focus on outdoor provision and on assessment.

Preparation for School Experience and School Experience 1
The University based part of the module unites theory with practice and develops experiences and understanding gained on the day link visits. It facilitates the integration of the academic course and teaching in a Key Stage 1 classroom. During the University based sessions you’ll explore teaching and learning styles; examine the role of the class teacher; evaluate planning for teaching and learning in a Key Stage 1 classroom; reflect upon strategies for the organisation of space and resources and the management of children and additional adults; and gain knowledge of how to manage assessment for learning.  Within this module a six week placement is undertaken. This is a paired placement where you’ll work collaboratively with each other with the support of the class teacher and mentor. You’ll take on the role of teacher for 70% of the timetable.

Preparation for School Experience and School Experience 2
The University based part of the module facilitates the integration of the academic course and teaching in a Foundation Stage setting. During taught sessions you’ll explore the provision for teaching and learning and examine the role of the practitioner, evaluate planning for teaching and learning and reflect upon strategies for the organisation of space and resources and the management of children and additional adults, both indoors and outside. You’ll also gain knowledge of how to manage assessment for learning. Within this module a six week placement is undertaken. You will be placed individually and work collaboratively with a range of practitioners, and take on the role of teacher for 80% of the timetable. You’ll plan, implement, observe and assess children s learning.

Professional Studies
You will critically review the values, aims and purposes and general requirements of the curriculum guidance for the Foundation Stage and the National Curriculum and gain a familiarity with the framework for personal, social and health education. The module will cover the statutory frameworks relating to teachers' responsibilities including the Special Educational Needs (SEN) code of practice and child protection. You will critically review the role of governing bodies, league tables and of how the results of Ofsted inspections may impact on teaching and learning.

Science and ICT
You will become familiar with the Science and ICT curriculum areas in the Foundation Stage and Key Stage 1. You will extend and develop your subject knowledge, plan for effective learning and assessment, develop awareness of the health and safety and sensitivity issues, understand the role of and ethical dilemmas associated with practical work in science education, critically evaluate the role of play in the learning of science by children, understand how science supports literacy and numeracy and how ICT supports science.

Foundation Subjects
You will consider the place of Foundation Subjects in school and their relationship in the primary and early years’ curricula. You will evaluate recent developments and approaches in these subjects, and develop understanding of short and medium term planning. The module will include sessions on Art, Design and Technology, Citizenship, Geography, History, Music, Physical Education, Religious Education.

Language and Mathematical Development
This module supports you in considering the role of language and mathematical development in children’s learning. It prepares you to teach language (including literacy) and mathematical development in early years settings and classrooms by developing a range of play-based teaching and learning experiences. The sessions have a strong emphasis on planning for cross-curricular learning experiences, and selecting or making rich learning resources with which to inspire teachers and children. Examples of a range of mathematical and language processes, children’s literature and drama conventions are interwoven into the sessions. The module also provides an overview of current approaches that are adopted for facilitating children’s language and mathematical development in the Foundation and Key Stage 1. The taught and directed study will enable you to plan, teach, monitor and assess children’s progress in oracy, literacy and mathematics in multi-ethnic and multilingual settings and classrooms, and to integrate language and mathematical development with other areas of learning.

Learning and Development
You will develop your understanding of young children in early years’ settings and your theoretical knowledge and understanding of their development and learning. The module adopts a view that young children’s learning is idiosyncratic and takes place within real and lived life experiences. Transitions from homes to early years’ settings and transitions between different early years’ settings are considered in depth. The overall module approach is holistic in that all sessions are built on the premise that children’s physical, emotional, social and intellectual developments are inter-related.

Entry & applying

You must have a 2:2 Bachelors honours degree or above. All subjects are considered but if your degree does not have 50% content in a National Curriculum subject you must have one good A level pass in a National Curriculum subject.

You must have GCSE grade C in Maths, English & Science before applying.

It is essential that you undertake at least two weeks work experience in a UK or Republic of Ireland Early Years context before applying

Please apply for this course via the Graduate Teacher Training Registry.

Fees & funding

Careers & placements

Our Careers Service offers you a range of support both while you’re studying with us – and after you’ve graduated.

Placements

Work placements are integral to the PGCE Early Years degree. Our course is well-known for having a strong and committed partnership with local schools, whose mentors and class teachers train with the University. As a student, you will have the opportunity for rich and varied placements in the multilingual, multicultural and multifaith schools.