Primary
We offer primary initial teacher training for the 3 to 7 and 5 to 11 age ranges.
Our primary teacher training programme enables you to observe, learn and teach at each stage in a child's early development. It equips you with the subject and phase knowledge to plan and deliver the National Curriculums across:
- Primary 3-7: The Early Years Foundation Stage (ages 3- 5) and Key Stage One (ages 5-7) whilst also developing a knowledge and understanding of Key Stage Two (ages 7-11).
- Primary 5-11: Key Stage One (ages 5-7) and Key Stage Two (ages 7-11) whilst also developing a knowledge and understanding of the Early Years Framework and secondary phases.
Throughout the programme, you will work closely with your school mentor, lead mentor and primary curriculum specialists to ensure that you get all the support you need to become a great teacher.
School placements
During your two contrasting school placements, you will develop your teaching skills and classroom practice by learning from expert colleagues who have many years of successful teaching in primary schools. Additionally, we provide Experience Days to deepen your understanding of a child’s educational journey, providing insights into Key Stage 2 and the secondary school context. We take note of your transport needs and seek to place you in schools that are conveniently located for your individual circumstances.
As an integral part of the curriculum, four Intensive Training and Practice experiences (ITAPs) focus on pivotal aspects of teaching practice and provide further opportunities to observe, reflect and apply what you have learned, strengthening your understanding of the link between research evidence and classroom practice.
Assessment
Upon successful completion of the course, you will gain Qualified Teacher Status (QTS) and a Post Graduate Certificate in Education (PGCE). This can be used as the first third of a master's degree (60 credits), should you wish to continue with this accredited professional development.
- For QTS: Assessment is ongoing throughout the year. Your progress towards meeting the Teachers’ Standards, and acquiring the intended knowledge, understanding, skills and professional behaviours of our curriculum, is assessed holistically by school-based mentors, subject and/or phase leads, lead mentors and yourself. This includes elements such as target-setting, lesson planning, lesson observations, reflective tasks, professional learning conversations and presentations. These are summarised at Holistic Review Summary points, and then you are assessed against the Teachers’ Standards at the end of the programme in the Early Career Teacher transfer document.
- For the PGCE: Assessment is by two written assignments for Sheffield Hallam University that are assessed at master’s degree level and provide the 60 master’s level credits, which are academically robust and grounded in your day-to-day practice.
