Primary Education

This programme is based on the principle that the development of children in their earliest stages is of great significance and therefore the study of the young child is at its heart. Through the integrated study of children, the school and its curriculum, this principle is brought to life.

The programme will develop the understanding and skills required to become a creative early years specialist teacher of the future. It is designed to meet government regulations for initial teacher training and successful students will be recommended for Qualified Teacher Status as accredited by the Department for Children, Schools and Families (DCSF). 

The programme offers a broad consideration of the primary phase of education, including the core subjects of the Primary National Curriculum, with a focus specifically in the early years' (3-8) context. However, students will also be given the opportunity to work with the whole primary age range of 3-11 and it qualifies them to teach across the primary age phase. This structure has been carefully designed to address the Government's directive that all those intending to work in an early years' setting must have an early years' specialism. 

The programme has developed an innovative approach to using Information Communication Technology (ICT) to support teaching and learning, this is in line with the Government National Curriculum for Initial Teacher Training and initiatives in school. 

We enjoy a strong partnership with our local schools. One of the many strengths of the programme is the progressive nature of the school placements. In each year, students will work alongside teachers in local schools and this will enable them to appreciate in a practical setting the links between theory and practice. Through a wide range of placements, students develop an enviable school placement profile covering several different schools and all of the primary age phases.

Throughout the programme, emphasis will be on developing skills and abilities as professionals. Our approach therefore positively encourages independence and use of initiative and personal creativity. The approach to study is through a range of modules that include: 

• Advanced Study of Early Years is the specialism for everyone on the programme and focuses on the study of children in the early years of education. Aspects of play and understanding how to observe children and develop their learning is an important part of this module. 
• The Early Years Curriculum enables students to develop an understanding of, and ability to manage and integrate the foundation subjects for 3-8 year olds. Foundation subjects include art, music, geography, design and technology, PE and history. Students will also develop an understanding of religious education. 
• The Thinking, Learning, Creativity module develops students ability to understand thinking, learning and creativity as central to education, both their own and the children's. 
• Core Subjects develops personal subject knowledge in English, Mathematics and Science alongside an understanding of how to apply this knowledge to teaching in classrooms across the whole primary age range from 3-11. 
• ICT in Education develops ICT skills and understanding of the application of ICT across whole primary curriculum and in the professional role of the teacher. 
• Teaching as a Professional is the module that forms the main spine throughout the programme and enables students to reflect upon and develop their role as a teacher. 
• School Placements provide a wide range of experiences across different settings from nursery to upper Key Stage 2 (3-11). The strong partnership that we have with schools in the region and in the London Borough of Newham gives students valuable support and breadth of experience.