Early Childhood Education and Care - Newman University College

Newman offers you two routes through the
Primary PGCE course: ages 3-7 or 5-11. Both
routes focus on the study of teaching in all
National Curriculum subjects, with an emphasis
on English, maths and science. The Primary
Foundation Stage/Key Stage 1 course includes
a specialist study of the early years foundation
stage curriculum and the distinctive pedagogies
encountered in reception/nursery classrooms
and children’s centres. For both routes school
placements will be completed in relevant age
phases, including nursery and reception classes
for students on the 3-7 age range course.
Whichever route you take, you will learn the
principles of curriculum design and delivery,
and theories of learning and teaching, alongside
developing practical insights and skills in the
effective teaching and assessment of young
children.
The course is designed to enable you to
meet the requirements for qualified teacher
status (QTS) specified by the Training and
Development Agency for Schools (TDA).
“...the students were confident
and accomplished and a credit
to the university.”
External Examiner
Primary Partnership
The Primary PGCE course is based upon
Newman’s strong partnership with a number
of primary schools in the West Midlands. You
will be offered a series of training experiences
linking different perspectives of primary teaching
to the development of your practical skills in
the classroom. Tutors are involved in both
Newman based training and in supporting
the professional development of students in
partnership schools. Teachers are involved in the
supervision of school experience and in teaching
students how to make effective, critical and
reflective evaluations of their work.
Course Content
The PGCE year (from early September to the
beginning of July) consists of 36 weeks full-time
study, at least 18 of which are spent in schools.
Taught sessions at Newman University College
are timetabled across two semesters without a
half-term break.
Teaching Experience
School experience is central to the PGCE
programme and is a feature of all three
terms of the PGCE year. You undertake three
placements in at least two primary schools
providing opportunities to observe and practise
contrasting methods and approaches. School
experience includes observation of experienced
teachers, a structured programme of group and
whole class teaching and a series of directed
activities to explore whole school issues.
Special Features
• On the 5-11 route you may also undertake an
optional Global Citizenship Education module
which includes a self-funded field trip to The
Gambia. This exciting addition to the course
enables students to gain the skills to teach
citizenship from an international perspective,
thereby supporting schools’ promotion of
community cohesion and gain an appreciation
of another country’s education system
• Assessment is by coursework and through
the evaluation and monitoring of professional
classroom competencies
• You will have the option to study for the
Catholic Certificate in Religious Studies
(CCRS) to enable you to teach in Catholic
schools.
PGCE Primary courses are very popular and
can become full very quickly. Candidates are
advised to apply through www.gttr.ac.uk as
soon as possible after 1st September for course
commencing the year after applying.
Entry Requirements
You will need a good Honours degree (2:1 or
above), or a recognised equivalent qualification.
Please visit www.newman.ac.uk/entry for
the latest information. Recent and relevant
work experience in a primary setting is also
required.
For more information visit our website:
www.newman.ac.uk
Newman University College | Early Childhood Education and Care
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