BA (Hons)

Primary Education

Teaching & Learning

Develop a thorough theoretical and practical understanding of the development of children in the 3-11 age range, including knowledge of the Primary National Curriculum and the Early Years Foundation Stage Curriculum. The tabs below detail what and how you will study in each year of your course. The balance of assessments and overall workload is indicative and may be subject to change.

What you'll learn

Gain an understanding of the development of the early years foundation stage in England. You'll explore the current Early Years Foundation Stage Framework and relevant associated policies and documents. We'll focus on best practice when creating environments that enable learning and the delivery of the curriculum. You'll also consider and explore current developments in early years education and you'll begin to see how the different curricula are designed to address these issues.
This module will enable you to understand the complexities of assessment theoretically and practically. You'll explore and develop your understanding of key theories involved in learning and teaching. You'll examine, analyse and reflect upon these ideas within educational settings. We'll also consider the role of observation, resources and assessment in promoting engagement in teaching and learning. You'll understand how using resources can promote engagement in learning. This module will also cover intentional models of education and how they promote engagement in learning.
Discuss, investigate and research key educational issues through the study of language, learning and development. You'll examine three strands: thinking, language and meaning, social, cultural and emotional factors in learning development, and learning environments: space, place and education. You'll apply your knowledge in the observation and analysis of a learning episode.
This module will introduce you to a range of approaches to research methodology. You'll also gain an understanding of the ethical considerations related to research which will provide a strong basis for your dissertation in year three. Throughout this module, you'll consider why teachers may need to view themselves as researchers. You'll be encouraged to reflect on the role of research in contemporary practice in primary education.
Gain an understanding of the evolution of the primary curriculum in England, exploring the programmes of study for Key Stages 1 and 2 as well as the current Early Years Foundation Stage Framework. You'll focus on the core subjects and how these can be taught within the primary classroom. You'll consider and explore current developments in primary education and begin to see how the curriculum is designed to address these issues.
Observe and engage with teaching practices used in primary schools. You'll reflect upon primary practice to better understand the expectations upon teachers, the classroom, and learners. This module will enable you to gain experience across the primary phase in a range of settings, focusing on your current areas of interest and development with primary education. You'll have the opportunity to work collaboratively with your peers to design and deliver a learning event for a group of primary school children.
Gain personal, academic and career development insight and opportunities. You'll explore key concepts including the lifelong learning paradigm. This module will provide opportunities for you to develop sought-after reflective traits. We'll also explore numerous communication formats so you'll be able to critique and analyse these forms.
Building on your previous experience from Professional Experience 1, you will undertake a placement in a wider educational setting. Being placed in organisations, settings and agencies that provide a specialist educational service, you will deepen your knowledge of pedagogy and have further opportunity to make links between theory and practice.
Explore what it means to celebrate diversity in relation to special educational needs and disabilities. You'll explore a range of special educational needs and disabilities before considering one in depth. You'll also consider the role of different primary school stakeholders, such as the SENCo and the primary class teacher. You'll then explore how provision can be adapted and modified for children with special educational needs and disabilities and how this relates to good teaching and learning for all pupils. This module will encourage you to examine how special educational needs and disabilities are constructed and how this relates to the provision. We'll consider case studies and consider the role of resources in celebrating diversity and promoting inclusion for learners who have special educational needs and disabilities.
Explore how social, political and economic factors affect policy implementation in practice. You'll understand the development of the provision of education and the place of education in national and local political life. This module will also consider the successive ideologies that have underpinned education in England.
Drawing on sociology, politics and policy analyses, you'll examine how gender, social class, poverty and race impact upon the achievement and progression of children and young people through systems of education. You'll explore the sociology of education to examine a range of theories and explanations for the patterns of difference in learners’ experiences of education. This module will ask you to consider in whose interest education acts.
Build on the knowledge you developed in the Introduction to Research module in your first year. You'll understand how to critique research and best practice guidance in respect of evidence informed practice. This module will encourage you to reflect and analyse your own conceptions and lived experiences, and those of others, against current literature and research evidence, You'll practise critically evaluating people's appropriateness for practice.
Gain an understanding of the development of the early years foundation stage in England. You'll explore the current Early Years Foundation Stage Framework and relevant associated policies and documents. We'll focus on best practice when creating environments that enable learning and the delivery of the curriculum. You'll also consider and explore current developments in early years education and you'll begin to see how the different curricula are designed to address these issues.
This module will enable you to understand the complexities of assessment theoretically and practically. You'll explore and develop your understanding of key theories involved in learning and teaching. You'll examine, analyse and reflect upon these ideas within educational settings. We'll also consider the role of observation, resources and assessment in promoting engagement in teaching and learning. You'll understand how using resources can promote engagement in learning. This module will also cover intentional models of education and how they promote engagement in learning.
Discuss, investigate and research key educational issues through the study of language, learning and development. You'll examine three strands: thinking, language and meaning, social, cultural and emotional factors in learning development, and learning environments: space, place and education. You'll apply your knowledge in the observation and analysis of a learning episode.
This module will introduce you to a range of approaches to research methodology. You'll also gain an understanding of the ethical considerations related to research which will provide a strong basis for your dissertation in year three. Throughout this module, you'll consider why teachers may need to view themselves as researchers. You'll be encouraged to reflect on the role of research in contemporary practice in primary education.
Gain an understanding of the evolution of the primary curriculum in England, exploring the programmes of study for Key Stages 1 and 2 as well as the current Early Years Foundation Stage Framework. You'll focus on the core subjects and how these can be taught within the primary classroom. You'll consider and explore current developments in primary education and begin to see how the curriculum is designed to address these issues.
Observe and engage with teaching practices used in primary schools. You'll reflect upon primary practice to better understand the expectations upon teachers, the classroom, and learners. This module will enable you to gain experience across the primary phase in a range of settings, focusing on your current areas of interest and development with primary education. You'll have the opportunity to work collaboratively with your peers to design and deliver a learning event for a group of primary school children.
Gain personal, academic and career development insight and opportunities. You'll explore key concepts including the lifelong learning paradigm. This module will provide opportunities for you to develop sought-after reflective traits. We'll also explore numerous communication formats so you'll be able to critique and analyse these forms.
Building on your previous experience from Professional Experience 1, you will undertake a placement in a wider educational setting. Being placed in organisations, settings and agencies that provide a specialist educational service, you will deepen your knowledge of pedagogy and have further opportunity to make links between theory and practice.
Explore what it means to celebrate diversity in relation to special educational needs and disabilities. You'll explore a range of special educational needs and disabilities before considering one in depth. You'll also consider the role of different primary school stakeholders, such as the SENCo and the primary class teacher. You'll then explore how provision can be adapted and modified for children with special educational needs and disabilities and how this relates to good teaching and learning for all pupils. This module will encourage you to examine how special educational needs and disabilities are constructed and how this relates to the provision. We'll consider case studies and consider the role of resources in celebrating diversity and promoting inclusion for learners who have special educational needs and disabilities.
Explore how social, political and economic factors affect policy implementation in practice. You'll understand the development of the provision of education and the place of education in national and local political life. This module will also consider the successive ideologies that have underpinned education in England.
Drawing on sociology, politics and policy analyses, you'll examine how gender, social class, poverty and race impact upon the achievement and progression of children and young people through systems of education. You'll explore the sociology of education to examine a range of theories and explanations for the patterns of difference in learners’ experiences of education. This module will ask you to consider in whose interest education acts.
Build on the knowledge you developed in the Introduction to Research module in your first year. You'll understand how to critique research and best practice guidance in respect of evidence informed practice. This module will encourage you to reflect and analyse your own conceptions and lived experiences, and those of others, against current literature and research evidence, You'll practise critically evaluating people's appropriateness for practice.

What you'll learn

Explore the theory and practice of teaching foundation subjects within the primary classroom. You'll gain a critical understanding of your chosen foundation subject or curriculum area. You'll consider different approaches to teaching and planning of the foundation subjects as you develop subject knowledge and theory in an area of your choice.
Enhance your understanding of the key issues in global education. You'll explore education systems in a range of countries and examine the issues of comparative education as they relate to this knowledge. You'll develop your understanding of the economic, political, social and environmental factors that affect educational experiences and systems throughout the world.
Design and conduct a literature review and present an account of the project in the form of a dissertation to explore an element of primary practice at a deeper level. Through this study, you'll develop understanding of concepts such as systematic analysis and rigour. Through meetings with your supervising tutor and peer led tutorials you'll be able to access advice and support. This module is specifically designed to provide opportunities for co-research amongst students and tutors.
Study what it means to celebrate diversity in relation to the displaced chid. You'll explore the reasons why a child may be displaced including children in care and children who are refugees. You'll consider the possible short- and long-term effects that this displacement would have upon the child. You'll consider how whole school approaches can be used to support the arrival of a displaced child in a sensitive manner. This module will also explore how ongoing provision needs to be developed and managed to support the child. You'll observe, analyse and reflect upon these ideas within educational settings, and consider the role of stories in celebrating diversity and promoting inclusion for learners who have been displaced.
Develop a deeper understanding of varying education models within England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland. You'll explore and experience a range of models through a combined theoretical and field-based approach. As a result, you'll be well equipped to analyse and critique current approaches primary education in England. You'll have the knowledge and skill to evaluate the impact education models have on how contemporary issues are addressed in and through the primary system.
Explore the theory and practice of teaching foundation subjects within the primary classroom. You'll gain a critical understanding of your chosen foundation subject or curriculum area. You'll consider different approaches to teaching and planning of the foundation subjects as you develop subject knowledge and theory in an area of your choice.
Enhance your understanding of the key issues in global education. You'll explore education systems in a range of countries and examine the issues of comparative education as they relate to this knowledge. You'll develop your understanding of the economic, political, social and environmental factors that affect educational experiences and systems throughout the world.
Design and conduct a literature review and present an account of the project in the form of a dissertation to explore an element of primary practice at a deeper level. Through this study, you'll develop understanding of concepts such as systematic analysis and rigour. Through meetings with your supervising tutor and peer led tutorials you'll be able to access advice and support. This module is specifically designed to provide opportunities for co-research amongst students and tutors.
Study what it means to celebrate diversity in relation to the displaced chid. You'll explore the reasons why a child may be displaced including children in care and children who are refugees. You'll consider the possible short- and long-term effects that this displacement would have upon the child. You'll consider how whole school approaches can be used to support the arrival of a displaced child in a sensitive manner. This module will also explore how ongoing provision needs to be developed and managed to support the child. You'll observe, analyse and reflect upon these ideas within educational settings, and consider the role of stories in celebrating diversity and promoting inclusion for learners who have been displaced.
Develop a deeper understanding of varying education models within England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland. You'll explore and experience a range of models through a combined theoretical and field-based approach. As a result, you'll be well equipped to analyse and critique current approaches primary education in England. You'll have the knowledge and skill to evaluate the impact education models have on how contemporary issues are addressed in and through the primary system.