BEd (Hons)/MEd (Hons) Primary Education - University of Winchester

BEd (Hons)/MEd (Hons) Primary EducationUndergraduate

Why study at Winchester?There are many reasons to study at the Universityof Winchester – but the one to consider mostis that you will become part of a safe andsupportive community.The University is located within walking distanceof the city centre of Winchester, which is only onehour away from London by train. The campus islocated in a beautiful wooded setting overlookingthe South Downs.Our graduates have a strong track record offinding employment after leaving the University.There is a dedicated Careers Service to provideadvice and help you research career pathways andemployers. They also organise recruitment fairsand workshops on how to write CVs and performwell at interview.We have excellent facilities for learning andteaching that are continually being updated toenhance the student experience. There is a vibrantStudent Union, excellent sports facilities, amodern library and IT facilities across the campus.At the University of Winchester we aim to providecampus or University Managed Accommodationto all first year full-time undergraduates who holdWinchester as their firm choice. In addition, wealso endeavour to provide students from non-EUcountries and students with disabilities a roomon campus, not just for their first year, but for theduration of their course.The culture of the University is informal and theemphasis is on you unlocking your potential,developing a clear sense of direction andbecoming the best you can be in your chosencareer.2 www.winchester.ac.uk

BEd (Hons)/MEd (Hons) Primary EducationFACT FILETeacher education is an exciting andchanging field of study, but the varietyof courses and routes which cannow be taken to enter teaching canbe bewildering. This leaflet aims tosupport the decision-making processby outlining our unique and highlyrated undergraduate programme at theUniversity of Winchester. It providessignposts for gathering informationabout other routes into teaching whichmay be more suitable.Our BEd (Hons)/MEd (Hons) PrimaryEducation with recommendation ofQualified Teacher Status (QTS) builds uponour excellent practice and reputation andmaintains the high quality content which hasbeen consistently recognised in our provision.BEd/MEd Primary Education is anundergraduate programme leading toQualified Teacher Status and is located inthe Faculty of Education, Health and SocialCare. The range of programmes within theFaculty includes both undergraduate andpostgraduate Initial Teacher Education(ITE), Education Studies and courses atDiploma and Master’s degree level incontinuing professional developmentfor teachers. The Faculty is a centre forresearch and innovation in the field ofeducation.The fast pace of change in education atboth primary and higher education levelshas led our dynamic and forward-thinkingteam to develop an innovative programmeof undergraduate study. This programme,whilst ensuring compliance with thelatest requirements of the Departmentfor Education, aims to produce criticallyreflective practitioners able to understandthe complexities and tensions in providingeducation for the twenty-first century.Thus the University-based programmeis designed both to support knowledgeand practical competences and providechallenges which develop values andunderstanding. We give prominence to ascholarly approach and a spirit of enquirywhich will endure beyond graduation toensure lifelong learning and personal andprofessional growth. This is reflected andrealised in the diverse professional andresearch activities of the teaching staffwho contribute to the programme.Through a range of stimulating andprogressively challenging learningexperiences, the BEd (Hons) PrimaryEducation/MEd (Hons) Primary EducationDegree Duration: 3 or 4 years full-timeUCAS Codes:X120 3 years BEd (Hons)X122 4 years BEd (Hons)X121 4 years MEd (Hons)The 4 year MEd route allows studentsto further enhance and enrich theirprofessional practice and to obtainMaster’s creditsThe university offers a three and fouryear route to QTSEntry requirements and typicaloffer: 300-340 points*. GCSE gradeA*-C passes or equivalent in English,mathematics and a scienceAdditional entry requirements:Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS)clearance check (formerly known asCRB) required when you accept the offerof a place on the courseMedical ‘Fitness to Teach’, which isassessed by an Occupational HealthAdvisorCompletion of pre-entry ProfessionalSkills Tests as required by theDepartment of EducationSelection process: Potentially suitableapplicants are required to attend anindividual interview, to make a briefpresentation on an area of the NationalCurriculum in a group situation, and tocomplete a short written task.*Entry requirements correct at time ofprinting. For the most up-to-date entryrequirements please go towww.winchester.ac.ukwww.winchester.ac.uk1

BEd (Hons)/MEd (Hons) Primary Educationand respectful learning experiences. Assuch, the programme vision is to nurtureintending teachers with clear and informedprofessional identities who are:• Reflective practitioners whoacknowledge the complexity of their role• Confident and creative thinkers who areat the forefront of innovative practice• Open-minded, curious and willing toengage with different perspectives• Motivated, enthusiastic and responsiveto the needs of children• Knowledgeable professionals equippedwith skills to make informed decisionswith QTS programme at the Universityof Winchester educates and prepareshigh quality primary school practitioners.This preparation and education is acharacteristic strength of undergraduateteacher education at the Universityof Winchester, where students buildtowards the professional expectations andrequirements of classroom practice, whilstengaged in the routines and practice ofacademic study.The programme supports the developmentof individual practitioners, withina community of learning, who arecommitted to the education of youngchildren. This commitment is evidentin students during the pre-programmeapplication and interview process, and isreflected in the values which underpin ourprovision. The values support and promoteteaching practices which encouragepersonalised learning and embrace rightful• Lifelong learners who work flexiblywithin professional communitiesWe are committed to encouraging studentson to the programme with a wide range ofprevious experience, from school leaversto mature students with considerableexperience both within education andother fields. We make the starting point forthe programme the individual student aslearner and future teacher.2 www.winchester.ac.uk

BEd (Hons)/MEd (Hons) Primary EducationOur success is dependent on strongand effective relationships with ourPartnership schools. Headteachersand teachers are involved in planning,teaching and evaluating the programme,as well as interviewing applicants.This collaboration with educationprofessionals guarantees the qualityof provision and ensures we interpretDepartment for Education requirementsconsistently whilst meeting the needs ofschools.Teacher education has been at theforefront of our learning provision at theUniversity of Winchester for many years.The institution began training teachersin 1840 and we have an excellentreputation for nurturing competentprofessionals. We are a provider ofone of the largest programmes forprimary teacher training in the countryand in recent years a high proportionof the newly-qualified teachers inHampshire and the local region arefrom this University. A significantstrength is the continuing developmentof the programmes we offer to ensureour graduates are at the forefront ofdevelopments in education as they moveinto their first teaching posts.Our programme is unique in offeringa common Year 1 and Year 2 of study,with students then selecting to moveon to either the three or four year route.Students select a specialism to follow fromYear 2. This allows us to cater for the rangeof previous experience and achievementsof students entering and progressingthrough the programme. The programmecovers Professional Theory, Practiceand Research, Curriculum Studies andSpecialisms; this breadth ensures theprogramme is demanding, thorough andalways up-to-date.What qualifications do I need?We welcome students with a range ofqualifications and previous experienceonto the programme. To enter any teachertraining programme, applicants needGCSE grade A*-C passes or equivalentin English, Mathematics and a Sciencesubject. Candidates will need to completethe Department for Education ProfessionalSkills Tests in Literacy and Numeracyprior to entry. In addition, applicants arerequired to complete successfully one ofthe following pathways (or recognisedequivalent) to levels specified on ourwebsite:• A/AS/VCE level• International Baccalaureate• BTEC• CACHE diploma• Access courseApplicants are advised of the need todemonstrate previous relevant workexperience in a primary or nursery schoolamounting to a minimum of two weekswithin the last two years to ensure arealistic understanding of the role of theprimary teacher today. Applicants whowould otherwise rely on memories of theirown primary education, or of experiencein school some time ago, will find thewww.winchester.ac.uk3

BEd (Hons)/MEd (Hons) Primary Educationrealities of the contemporary primaryschool surprising and should be preparedfor interview. For those offered a place onthis programme there is the expectationthat a further self-directed two weekplacement will be undertaken in a schoolprior to commencing this programme inmid-September.Programme contentThe programme aims are addressedthrough three key interdisciplinary themes,chosen for their relevance to the graduateprimary teacher:• Identity• Perspectives• RelationshipsThe three inter-related themes providea unifying structure which links thevarious University-based strands witheach other and with school-based work.Together they offer a professional andacademic programme which combinesthe development of effective and skilledpractice with the analytical awarenessof self and culture which is centralto the development of the graduatepractitioner.Length of programmeStudents can elect to complete theprogramme in three years or four years,achieving recommendation for QTS at theend their programme. Year 1 and Year 2 ofthe BEd and MEd routes are the same, andtherefore students can change between thethree/four year route, and the MEd route,up until the end of Year 2.Four year MEd students have additionalopportunities to enhance and enrich theiracademic and professional practice to tailortheir expertise and obtain Master’s credits(up to 120 credits). In an increasinglyMaster’s led profession this is anexciting opportunity to undertake higherlevel study, research and professionaldevelopment before the Newly QualifiedTeacher (NQT) year.Choice of specialist subjectSubject specialisms allow study of asubject in greater depth at an appropriateacademic level and enable futurecontributions to the development of thesubject either as a member of teachingstaff or as a subject leader within an earlyyears setting or primary school. Studentsconfirm their choice of specialism at theend of Year 1 after experiencing tastercourses in all subjects. This programmeoffers a wide choice of specialisms,currently the subjects available are:Art, Drama, Early Years, English, French,Geography, History, ICT, Mathematics,Music, Physical Education, ReligiousEducation, Science and Special EducationalNeeds.Teaching and learningThe range of strategies for teaching andlearning includes:• Lectures• Seminars, both tutor and student-led• Workshops• School and University-based directedtasks• Computer assisted learning, including aLearning Network• Student self-study4 www.winchester.ac.uk

BEd (Hons)/MEd (Hons) Primary EducationAssessmentAssessment is mainly through assignmentscompleted during modules includingwritten assignments, seminars,presentations, displays, resource designand review, portfolios, web-basedmaterials and school placements.Programme overviewThe programme provides richand varied learning experienceswhich equip students with knowledge andskills to respond to the needs of childrenin educational settings. Students becomeconfident practitioners with a secureunderstanding of factors affecting learningand teaching.Students are prepared to teach primaryschool children (5-11 years). Early YearsSpecial Subject students are furtherprepared for the 3-5 years age range.They follow a common programme whichincludes both theoretical and practicalissues relating to teaching in primaryschools. The aims of the programme areachieved through four organisationalstrands: Professional Theory, Practice andResearch; Curriculum Studies; SpecialistSubject and Work Placement and SchoolExperience.Professional Theory, Practice andResearchThis aspect of the programme encouragesstudents to consider theoreticalunderpinnings of education and how theyimpact on children’s learning and teachers’practice.Curriculum StudiesStudents explore the range of subjectstaught in primary schools and the discreteand inter-related aspects of a broad andbalanced curriculum. Students selectoptions to enhance their knowledgeand understanding of areas of learning.www.winchester.ac.uk 5

BEd (Hons)/MEd (Hons) Primary EducationOptions include National Curriculumsubjects and, more broadly, areas such asLearning Outside the Classroom, AdditionalEducational Needs, Early Years, Creativityand Professional Partnerships. This abilityto personalise a professional portfolio inboth breadth and depth enables studentsto meet their own needs and follow areasof particular interest.Specialist SubjectThe programme enables all students toexplore one subject in more depth, fromYear 2, with an aspiration to promotethis subject as future curriculum leaders.Specialisms reflect the range of subjectswithin the primary curriculum and specificareas such as Early Years and SpecialEducational Needs.The programme’s approach is underpinnedby consideration of the United NationsConvention on the Rights of the Child.Students are nurtured to reflect on theireducational values as they develop intoenthusiastic, creative and respectfuleducators, equipped to engage with wideraspects of schooling such as social andemotional development, citizenship andsustainability.Work Placement and SchoolExperienceStudents are encouraged to work in arange of schools and educational settings.University-based activities are linked toschool based activity and students visitschools for a range of activities. Each yearthey are allocated a School Experienceplacement, and at each stage students canexpress preferences regarding geographicalarea, age range and particular interestssuch as gaining experience in a schoolwhich caters for children with SpecialEducational Needs. We have strongpartnership links with over 700 schoolsacross the southern region. We currentlyalso offer opportunities to work in London,the Isle of Wight and the Channel Islandsthrough links with local authorities.School-based placements, organised by theUniversity, are supported by University andschool-based staff to ensure the growthand development of skilled practitioners.Placements are developmental andprogressive ranging from short visits tosustained placements. Students are alsoencouraged to arrange additional selfdirectedplacements in settings such asmuseums, galleries and residential centresto augment their range of experience, andoverseas placements are possible.The final school experience involvestaking full responsibility for an extendedplacement (10 weeks approximately),liaising with and reporting to parents andother agencies involved in the school.On this practice students demonstratethey can meet all the Qualified TeacherStatus standards by assessing, planningand teaching the whole class for a goodproportion of the time from early inthe practice. Students are expected tocontribute to any additional expensesincurred when working in schools.Teaching teamThe teaching team has a wide rangeof experience in the field of educationincluding teaching in schools and inspectionand advisory work. Tutors contribute tothe development of policy and practicein education through consultancy andwork with, for example, the Qualificationand Curriculum Authority, the TrainingAgency and the University Council for theEducation of Teachers, as well as a range ofsubject professional associations, such asthe Association for Science Education andthe United Kingdom Literacy Association.All members of the team are activelyinvolved in research and professionaldevelopment activities including funded6 www.winchester.ac.uk

BEd (Hons)/MEd (Hons) Primary Educationresearch and innovation projects. The teamis complemented by a number of highlyexperienced practitioners who contribute totaught sessions in the University and offersupport to students on school experience asLink Tutors.Assessing the University ofWinchesterThe provision of primary teacher educationwas last assessed by Ofsted in November2010. The inspection confirmed theprovision as outstanding. The reporthighlights:• the high quality of training, whichleads to the outstanding progress andachievement of trainees• the coherence of central and schoolbased training• the highly effective and individualisedsupport for trainees• training in equalities and diversity, whichresults in trainees’ impressive levels ofconfidence and understanding abouthow to be effective teachers in a diversesociety;• the tutorial system, which providesexemplary support for individual traineesand highly effective monitoring of thetraining and provision• the opportunities that specialistplacements and self-directed daysprovide for trainees to pursue their ownspecialist professional interests• the content and structure of theprofessional studies modules, whichensures that trainees have a clearunderstanding of professional issues• the flexibility of the training programme,which encourages suitable applicantsfrom a wide range of circumstances toapply.Career opportunitiesWinchester Initial Teacher Educationgraduates have a high employment rate; itis consistently well over 90 per cent.Most students pursue their career inteaching, although the programmeprovides a range of transferable skills.Ofsted consider “the overall effectivenessof the provider is outstanding becausethe training, assessment and quality ofthe provision across the partnership areof the highest quality, enabling traineeson all programmes to make excellentprogress and to achieve consistentlygood or outstanding results.” Partnershipteachers contribute to the programmefrom recruitment to preparation for theNewly Qualified Teacher year to ensurethe University appropriately supportsongoing teacher development. Many localHeadteachers and Deputy Headteachersare Winchester graduates.A programme of preparation for applyingfor teaching posts is held annually for finalyear students. If, in rare instances, studentsrealise that teaching is not their long-termvocation, they can complete a degreewithout QTS and advice and support isavailable to find an allied or alternativecareer. Indeed the BEd/MEd (Hons) PrimaryEducation prepares students with manywidely transferable skills.Contact us:Course Enquiries and ApplicationsTelephone: +44 (0)1962 827234Email: course.enquiries@winchester.ac.ukwww.winchester.ac.uk 7

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Explore the Winchester experienceOpen Days are a great way to find out moreabout the course that you are interested in. It isalso an opportunity to explore the campus andmeet tutors and current students to discoverwhat studying at Winchester is all about.To find out when the next Open Day is visitwww.winchester.ac.uk/opendays or contact theStudent Recruitment team.If you miss any of the Open Days or areunavailable to attend – you can arrange aCampus Tour instead by contacting the StudentRecruitment team.Student RecruitmentTelephone: +44 (0) 1962 827089Email: opendays@winchester.ac.ukAt the event, academics from all of ourprogrammes will be around campus givingsessions about your subject of interest. Eachof the sessions will include an overview of thecourse, entry requirements, the applicationprocess and an opportunity to ask any questionsyou might have.Student Union representatives will also beavailable so you can find out more aboutWinchester’s sports clubs, societies andcommunity involvement.As part of the campus tour you will see the hallsof residence and the West Downs Student Villageand find out more about living in Winchester.You will also be told about the student supportservices and scholarships and bursaries that areon offer.

Finding out more...Course Enquiries and ApplicationsTelephone: +44 (0)1962 827234Email: course.enquiries@winchester.ac.ukThe University of WinchesterWinchesterHampshire S022 4NRwww.winchester.ac.uk03975/8/2013a large print version of thisbooklet is available on request