BA (Hons) Education with Integrated Foundation Year

Curriculum Matters

This module will enable you to consider issues related to the curriculum; what we teach, who decides what we teach and how we teach it.

It will consider the learning presented in schools from the point of view of the teacher and importantly that of the child or young person.

Knowledge and understanding of how to promote enquiry lead and experiential learning in a wide range of curriculum subjects will be developed.

Supporting Learning in Mathematics and Literacy

This module provides you with a secure grounding in the theories associated with development in literacy and in mathematics.

Having explored the expected trajectory of development in literacy and mathematics, the module will explore potential misconceptions and barriers to learning and how these can be overcome.

The module will also explore how children and young people may manifest giftedness in these areas and appropriate support strategies.

Foundation in Knowledge and Skills

This module uses the workplace (can include volunteer roles) and / or personal experience as a basis for acquisition or enhancement of skills and knowledge relevant to academic, professional and personal development.

In addition, it is designed to enhance employability and efficacy within the paid or voluntary workplace.

The module will support and encourage you to engage with higher education by developing academic skills and building confidence in your practical application.

The module aims to build resilience, communication skills, self-confidence and reflective ability; Foundation Knowledge and Skills can be offered as an accredited module or, without the assessment component, as a short course. It can be tailored to meet the needs of particular groups of learners, employers and voluntary organisations and can be embedded within apprenticeships or other accredited programmes. Successful completion of the module may be accepted as evidence of the ability to study at Level 4 and may therefore be used as a bridging module into Higher Education.

Professional Practice

This module focuses on the behaviours and needs of the learner and the implications of this on the role of an educator. The module includes 16 days of school experience enabling student teachers to begin to understand different features classroom practice. It will explore how different conditions for learning are established and how these conditions are influenced by the range of other factors that can inhibit pupils’ ability to learn. The module sessions, student reflection and school experience will establish links between theory and effective practice and issues regarding children’s holistic needs that may impact learning in the classroom.

Creativity

This module explores what is meant by creativity, so that you understand that being creative includes using existing knowledge and skills in an innovative way, asking questions and problem solving and is a process as well as an outcome.

Through the module, you will understand that creativity does occur in all aspects of human endeavour and will develop knowledge and understanding of how to work with children and young people. Enabling them to explore their own creativity across a wide range of subject areas and personal interests.

Personal Study in Education

This module is designed to develop your personal study skills. You will undertake an independent study into an aspect of education under the guidance of the module co-ordinator. You will accommodate new principles and new knowledge through your own study. This will involve knowing the complex interactions between education and broader contexts. Through carrying out your personal study, students should learn how to analyse the complex situations concerning human learning and development.

Childhood to Adulthood

The central aim of this module will be to develop your awareness of the cognitive, social, physical and emotional changes that occur from childhood through to adulthood and how these impact upon individuals. It will examine the phases of development and transitions for children from conception through to childhood, adolescence and adulthood in a changing world.  

Psychological perspectives on cognitive, social, physical and emotional development will predominate and will be evaluated, including from a cross-cultural perspective. Where appropriate, specific contextual parameters such as different educational settings will be examined.  

Equality of Opportunity and Diversity

This module will explore relationships between cultural identity, social policy and issues of equality and diversity.

You will examine key features of the theory and practice of social and educational inclusion from several perspectives, and explore issues central to inclusion, human rights, equal opportunities and social justice.

You will explore patterns of inequality in selected areas of social policy and provision with reference to the British experience and some international issues.

Valuing Individual Differences

This module develops your knowledge of atypical development in children and young people.

You will focus on the medical, genetic and environmental influences on children’s development, and evaluate theories of child development to gain a deeper understanding of how individual differences can affect learning.

In doing so, it will develop your thinking on the current discourses about defining special educational needs and disability.

Learning Communities – Children Learning, Children Thinking

This module explores the sociological influences relating to our success as learners.

You will use research on thinking, learning and development to consider how individuals can maximise learning opportunities for themselves and help others to learn.

In addition, you will explore influences on learning, development and identity and discuss how learners are included or excluded from education settings.

Central to the module is a sociocultural perspective on learning and education that looks beyond the individual to communities and the historical contexts in which learning takes place.

Education, Philosophy and Thinking – Historical Perspectives

You’ll begin to explore the key debates in philosophies of education with a particular focus on personal and institutional value systems and how educational contexts have developed over time.

The module introduces a coherent historical framework, which helps you to understand how educational perspectives and values change and evolve.

Science in Education and Society

This module introduces you to the subject, theoretical and pedagogic knowledge, and attitudes related to the learning of science in schools and early years settings, so that it is possible to build a scientifically literate population.

You will develop your understanding of the importance of science in society and educational settings and how science capital may be fostered and developed.

You will explore science-specific pedagogy in order to engage learners in science learning episodes, as you learn how to use the ‘outside classroom’ to teach science and foster engagement.

The module will consider the importance of cognitive science in the learning process, as you identify how theory and practice are linked so that they can recognise how research informs practice.

Speech, Language and Communication

Compulsory module

This module will introduce you to a range of developmental, cognitive, social and emotional influences that affect children’s development in speech, language and communication.

You will also learn how to evaluate the effectiveness of interventions that contribute to removing barriers to communication and interaction.

Throughout the module, you will become familiar with Augmented and Alternative Communication (AAC), ICT, sign language and the use pictures/symbols to aid communication.

From Bognor to Bogota and Beyond: An Introduction to the UN and SDGs

You will be encouraged to look beyond your immediate surroundings to the wider world.

You’ll find out how global issues such as those outlined in the UN Sustainable Development Goals have an impact on people across the world as well as on your own life.

The United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child (UNCRC) and its role in educational provision will also be considered.

Global Citizenship: Living and Working in A Diverse and Interconnected World

Compulsory module

This module allows you to critically engage with some of the key global issues of our times and prepares you to think beyond your immediate locality about how you are connected with people and environments that you may never have seen.

Forest Schools Principles and Practices

Compulsory module

A forest school is a journey of self-discovery and awareness in the outdoors in which participants are given the freedom to explore their surroundings, themselves and others through their curiosity and imagination.

The approach is heralded by some as inspirational but described by others as re-branding of old ideas giving questionable impact.

This module explores principles that underpin the forest school approach and reflects on evidence for its effectiveness.

Professionalism and Collaborative Practice

Optional module – SEND specialism

This module will enable you to develop your knowledge and understanding of working in different contexts with children and young people who have a Special Educational Need and/or Disability (SEND), and their families.

You will examine the roles of key professionals in health, education and the social care, and how they need to coordinate their services to benefit families and individuals who have a SEND.

You will consider the importance of collaborative practice between professionals from different agencies.

Work-Based Placement (year 2)

In order to broaden your knowledge and understanding of a range of educational contexts, and to develop insights beyond the classroom you will undertake a placement experience in an education setting of your choice.

Such placements might for example, include time spent supporting individuals or groups in a SEND or early childhood context or in some other organisation which has an educational element to its work, for example a theatre or museum.

Through this module you will be introduced to the importance of context in education and the complexities of education at large. You will be responsible for organising and then completing a self-funded three week placement researching a mutually agreed topic and question.

The World of Play

Compulsory module

More information on this module coming soon.

International Perspectives

Optional module – International Education specialism

This module allows you to critically engage in discussions about special education needs and disability in a global context. You will gain insights into how disability is understood in different societies and develop a greater understanding of global perspectives of health, educational and care provision. You will develop your knowledge of other factors such as war, poverty, natural disasters and affluence that may result in children having a special educational need and/or disability.

Humanities in Education and Society

Optional module – Education specialism

This module is based upon the belief that a broad and balanced curriculum enhances learning and that the humanities play an important part in this. You will learn about the areas of history, geography and RE and understand how they can motivate children.

Disability and Society

This module will introduce you to the historical and social context of disability in society. You will consider different models of disability that influence society’s attitudes to people with developmental differences and develop your knowledge of how the disability discourse has changed over time.

Arts in Education and Society

Optional module – Education specialism

You will engage with a range of discourses surrounding arts and society within the processes of teaching and learning.

A range of disciplinary subjects including performing arts, drama, theatre, music and visual arts will be explored.

In addition, key concepts such as creativity, design, performance and aesthetics will be considered from philosophical, pedagogical and social perspectives.

Principles Into Practice

Optional module – SEND specialism

This module gives an overview of the laws and policies that relate to the education and care of people who have a SEND and how they affect people who have SEND, their families and the people who work with them.

You will understand how education, health and social care policies translate into practice and the importance of including the voice of persons with SEND in the provision they want.

Issues in Secondary and Further Education

This module examines secondary and tertiary education, introducing you to the context of secondary education. The module will extend and deepen cross programme themes like inclusion, curriculum and inequality.

You will also discuss themes that are pertinent to the secondary and tertiary provision. For instance, an exemplar student’s journey across secondary and tertiary provision will be tracked considering themes including transition, curriculum design, support for progression and wider school functions.

Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages

The module explores key issues, concepts and methods in teaching English as a second, foreign or an additional language. A career in Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages (TESOL) offers opportunities to work at home and internationally, and to experience life in different cultures.

It begins by introducing the fundamentals of language learning and examining key theories and concepts in second language acquisition. It also presents the pedagogical processes in language teaching and provides some first-hand experience of English language teaching in practice through micro-teaching and observations.

As well as considering a critical examination of a range of contemporary issues in language education, the module identifies key pedagogical issues and debates from the latest language education research. It explores the role of professional TESOL educators in national and international contexts and the skills and knowledge required to work in these contexts.

Independent Project

Compulsory module

The module will explore research approaches and design through a series of seminar sessions.

You will also receive tutorial support from a designated tutor, who, at key points, will provide formative assessment.

Most of the learning will be independent, making use of journals, research methodology textbooks and policy developments in your field of interest.

Work-Based Placement

This module consolidates the placement experience in Level 5 and will serve as a context for the Independent Project to be submitted after Easter in the final semester.

The module provides you with an opportunity to work with children and young people in a professional setting. The placements are organised by you in conjunction with relevant staff and provide you with a choice of approved setting, according to availability. Settings may include, for example, special school, day nursery, family support teams, out of school provision, libraries, community play or youth scheme, medical provision for children or young people.

You will be enabled to demonstrate your capacity to engage in the workplace alongside professionals and to learn by observing, doing and reflecting on their performance. You will learn to support your own development by keeping a learning journal or diary which incorporates targets and self-evaluation.

Creativity, Technology and Learning

Compulsory module

This module will enable you to investigate, both academically and practically, how innovative technologies can be used in learning and teaching in a wide variety of mainstream and specialist educational settings.

Learning From and Within the Community

Optional module – Education specialism

This module is designed to provide you with an opportunity to investigate a variety of organisations and groups that operate within the local community that have an educational element to their work. You will have the chance to create an educational project for an organisation in the community.

Do the Right Thing: Moral Issues in Education

Optional module – Education specialism

This module examines key themes that traditionally underpin western moral philosophy, including:

• utilitarianism
• duty-based theories
• relativism
• absolutism
• rights theory
• and pluralism.

You will explore how the underpinning concepts of western ethical thought have developed historically and their relevance to education.

For example, unless one understands the basis for deciding whether something is right or wrong, how can one justify promoting or sanctioning it?

The content of this module will enable you to use knowledge and understanding of ethical issues to inform their practice and approach to teaching.

Understanding Families

Optional module – SEND specialism

This module examines the impact that having a child with a disability has on the family. You will identify the social, economic and psychological factors affecting families who are bringing up a child who has a special need and/or disability. This will lead to discussions about how professionals from different institutions should work with families to overcome some of the challenges that families face because they have a child with a SEND.

Disability Studies

Optional module – SEND specialism

This module allows you to examine the history of disability rights, the implications of the SEND Code of Practice, and the various contemporary definitions of “disability”. You will also consider the role of critical writings of Foucault and Bourdieu within this context.

Exploring Mathematical Thinking

Optional module – Education specialism

What is mathematics and why does it seem to matter so much? This module will inspire you to reflect on this question and, in doing so, increase your critical knowledge of mathematics education. Your own relationship with the subject will be explored, as will ideas on the beauty and power inherent within the subject.

Education in Multi-Ethnic Britain

Optional module – Education specialism

You will consider the benefits and challenges that result from the ever-changing demographics of the UK’s population. You will consider the historical perspectives that have resulted in the UK becoming such a diverse and multi-ethnic society.

Mental Health and Wellbeing

Optional module – SEND specialism

This module investigates the importance of good social, emotional and mental health for children, young people and into adulthood.

You will examine the current climate of children’s mental health in the UK within a global context.

The module will examine risk and protective factors that may influence children and young peoples’ mental health in school environments and in wider society, including the benefits of positive school culture, inclusive education, and access to mental health resources.

Children’s Literature in Education

This module will introduce you to the features of children’s literature and its place in the primary classroom. Drawing upon the motivational power of texts, you will come to recognise how engaging texts can promote children’s language and literacy development. You will be introduced to a variety of ways in which children’s literature can be used as a stimulus for creating engaging learning experiences for pupils, including through poetry and multi-modal texts.

Early Education for Sustainability

Optional module – International Education specialism

This module provides the opportunity to explore the topic from an early childhood education perspective both globally and locally.

You will explore current themes and discourse to develop an understanding of early education in laying foundations for future thinking and actions.

Investigations will consider how early years settings in the United Kingdom can embed principles and practices in relation to sustainable education for young children and their families.

Engaging All Learners

Optional module

This module will introduce you to a range of developmental, cognitive, social and emotional influences that affect pupil learning and progress. You will learn how to plan, implement and evaluate the effectiveness of interventions that contribute to removing barriers to learning, including the use of Augmented and Alternative Communication (AAC) AAC and ICT.

Pedagogy and Practice

Optional Module

This module examines the context in which teachers develop their skills, confidence and ethos in their professional world. It achieves this by helping you review your own education experience while exploring the concept of professionalism. You will also critically explore the role of professionals in the context of cultural and political change.

You will also look at the professional attributes and responsibilities expected of schoolteachers, which include organisation, role modelling, the development of respectful relationships and autonomy within the relevant statutory frameworks.

Professionalism will also be explored in practice; you will be required to investigate roles and responsibilities through the experiences of a trainee or early career teacher. The roles of other professionals who work with teachers will also be examined, along with contemporary initiatives and pedagogical approaches.

The module will also support you in meeting specific entry requirements into professional training, such as interviews.

Comparative Education – the International Context

Optional module – International Education specialism

The module explores global issues in education and the different contexts in which children and young people learn and educators teach in formal and informal settings. It begins by introducing key concepts used in international education policy and practice. It presents information and research around educational opportunities and inequalities worldwide and discusses their historical and sociological origins.