Teaching and Learning Support (Primary) BA (Hons) (Top Up)

Following on from knowledge gained from the FdA Teaching and Learning Support (Primary), you will be expected to work collaboratively and independently in order to respond to the demands of employers and employees for a school workforce that is professionalised and demonstrably competent in supporting teaching and learning in the primary sector by providing a vocationally relevant programme that appeals to students from a diverse range of learning backgrounds enabling them to develop personally, academically and professionally

Previous modules studied on the FdA Teaching and Learning Support (Primary) Degree will provide you with the underpinning knowledge and experience required to promote development and further exploration of this exciting area of study.

You will study 5 mandatory modules which have been designed to provide you with a broader knowledge of the discipline.

All students take a total of 120 credits per level.

Level 6 Modules (all modules are mandatory) include:

• Dissertation
• Educational Leadership and Management
• Global Perspectives on Education
• Socio-economic and Equality Issues in Educational Settings
• Exploring Professional Practice in Education

In order to join the BA (Hons) Teaching and Learning Support (Primary) (top-up) programme you will need to have successfully completed the FdA Teaching and Learning Support (Primary) with at least a pass grade.

Care Leavers or Young Carers

We want students from all backgrounds to have the opportunity to go to University. If you have spent three months or more in local authority care OR are a young carer, you will be eligible for a contextual offer. This is a grade reduction of 1-A Level grade below our standard entry requirements. For example, a standard offer of CCC, would become CCD. MMM at Level 3 Extended Diploma would become MMP. To apply we advise that you tick the box on your UCAS application which identifies you have spent time in care and to help identify you as eligible for our contextual offer.

During the course you will be assessed by a variety of methods including:

• Essays
• Policy documents
• Portfolios
• Dissertations
• Reports
• Group presentations
• Presentations
• In class tests
• Peer assessment

Each module is formally assessed through, for example, assignment, open-book test, individual and group presentation, essay, observation of practice, assessment of course work e.g. art portfolio, written report, reflective practice and portfolios of evidence.  This formal assessment will count towards your module mark and feedback is usually given within 3 weeks following the submission of your formal submission of work.

Additionally, some lecturers will provide informal feedback, for example, following an examination they may choose to work through the course work in a tutorial. It should be noted that feedback is part of the ongoing learning cycle which is not limited to written feedback. Other forms of feedback include one-to-one meetings with a personal tutor, dissertation and project supervision meetings, a lecturer responding to learner questions or responses during topic or situation discussions. 

Feedback is intended to help you learn and you are encouraged to discuss it with your module tutor.

The learning environment and facilities could include lecture theatres, classrooms, technology suites, laboratories and workshops, library and skills labs, art and photography studios, small group and quiet zones. Learning methods will vary according to the programme of study but will include lectures and group tutorials. In addition, seminars, field trips, work placements, role play or scenario activities, laboratory and workshop practical, demonstrations, guest lectures, discussions and debates all contribute to the learning experience to support the acquisition of subject specific skills and knowledge and the development of transferable and employment related skills.

You should typically expect to have around 15 contact hours per week if you are studying full time.

In addition, you will have timetabled meetings with your personal tutor.  

You will be taught by an experienced teaching team whose expertise and knowledge are closely matched to the content of the modules on the course.  The team could include senior academics, professional practitioners with industry experience, demonstrators and technical officers.  You can learn more about our staff by visiting our staff profiles.

Timetables

We endeavour to make timetables available one month before you start your course.  Please note that while we make every effort to ensure that timetables are as student-friendly as possible, scheduled teaching can take place on any day of the week.  Part-time classes are normally scheduled on one or two days per week. 

Overall Workload

You overall workload consists of class contact hours, around 15 hours of independent learning and assessment activity and any field trips which may take place.

Academic Support

We have a dedicated Student Engagement Team who will be able to provide support in the following areas;

• Study Skills (including reading, note-taking and presentation skills)
• Written English
• Academic Writing (including referencing)
• Research Skills

The Degree can lead both directly and via top-up qualifications to careers in:

• Primary School Support
• Teaching
• Learning Mentoring
• Educational Management/Administration
• HLTA
• Family Support
• Behaviour Management

The Degree is recognised as a quality award in the primary school sector.  To progress onto Qualified Teacher Status (QTS) students will have to achieve a degree with a classification at 2:2 or above. Students can then either complete:

• School Direct Training (QTS) allows you to do on the job training.

Or

• PGCE - Post Graduate Certificate of Education (PGCE) is an internationally recognised qualification

You will be required to undertake work in your own time and also undertake private study. This will be in addition to your taught hours in class. You may also be required to undertake a work placement/work-based learning. This is in addition to the taught timetabled classes, please bear this in mind with your planning. 

The University Centre reserves the right to change timetables for the year ahead and this information is provided to you as a guide. The days of study in subsequent years of the course may vary.