Why study this course

The ideal course for TAs who want to continue working while beginning a route into Teacher Training.

Blended learning delivery – small number of days on BGU campus each year, so you can continue to earn a salary as a TA.

Learn from expert primary practitioners at BGU – for ‘overall satisfaction’ with their course our undergraduate Teacher Training students, put BGU 14th highest in the list of 60 Higher Education Institutions offering Teacher Training as an undergraduate subject (NSS 2022).

Reflect on expert practice in your own school and manage your study around your work and family life.

Course summary

Have you ever thought about working towards a degree, but decided against it as you are already in employment or volunteering and don’t want to give that up? Our FdA Primary Teaching Studies course is designed for you if you are a TA who want to continue working while beginning a route into Teacher Training.

This course is Subject to Validation. Click here to learn more.

Key facts


Award

FdA

UCAS code

X121

Duration

2 years

Mode of study

Full-time

Start date

September

Awarding institution

Bishop Grosseteste University

Institution code

B38

Course details

About this course

Are you a TA who wants to train to teach while continuing to work as a TA?

This course is a 2 year foundation degree that is designed for primary teaching assistants working as the first step towards becoming a teacher.

You will need to have a Level 3 qualification, GCSEs in maths, English and science, experience as a TA and be working as a TA for at least 2 days per week in a primary school.

This level 4 and 5 course will then enable you to apply for our BA (Hons) Primary Teaching Studies with Qualified Teacher Status (QTS) top-up course which is also delivered through blended learning and will provide you with the opportunity to qualify to teach in a further 16 months after completing this foundation degree while continuing to work as a TA.

Most sessions will be taught online, but there will be a few specific days on campus each year to ensure you are able to become part of our supportive BGU learning community.

Sessions delivered by our primary teaching experts will be focussed around supporting your transition to degree level study and the Initial Teacher Training (ITT) Core Content Framework (CCF) to ensure that you have the ideal preparation to progress to the next stage of your teacher training.

Entry requirements

Typically, a minimum of one year’s experience in practice with a minimum of two days a week (minimum of 2 days per week working in a relevant role relevant role, either as an employee or a volunteer).

In order to prepare for compliance with current national requirements for the award of QTS, applicants must have GCSE passes in maths, English and science at Grade C/4 (or equivalent) or above.

Further information

Click here for important information about this course including additional costs, resources and key policies.

In accordance with University conditions, students are entitled to apply for Recognition of Prior Learning, RP(C)L, based on relevant credit at another HE institution or credit Awarded for Experiential Learning, (RP(E)L).

How you will be taught

There is no one-size-fits-all method of teaching at BGU – we shape our methods to suit each subject and each group, combining the best aspects of traditional university teaching with innovative techniques to promote student participation and interactivity.

You will be taught mainly through online teaching – some live online sessions and some asynchronous learning which may include narrated powerpoints, things to read and then reflect on in online debates etc.

On 4 days each academic year, you will come onto campus for a face to face learning day. You will be required to continue working as a TA for at least two days per week, and this will allow you to continue to learn from your home school setting

Assessment

Assessments for modules will be a balance of both practical and coursework approaches. For example, students will participate in assessments such as on-line discussions, group presentations, assessed tutorials as well as written assignments.

Collaborative presentations, utilising online software, will also be used as an assessment mode for students ,The use of group work will enable students to select their own reasonable adjustments in terms of how they contribute to the overall design of group-assessed projects, enabling them to maximise opportunities within each assessment mode, as well as enabling them to be fully included.

Careers & Further study

Our FdA Primary Teaching Studies, is designed to enable students to work towards meeting the requirements of QTS (in a subsequent programme), and specifically builds on students’ unique role as teaching assistants who are training to teach.

What Our Students Say

Discover what life is like at Bishop Grosseteste University from our students.

Support

Studying at BGU is a student-centred experience. Staff and students work together in a friendly and supportive atmosphere as part of an intimate campus community. You will know every member of staff personally and feel confident approaching them for help and advice, and staff members will recognise you, not just by sight, but as an individual with unique talents and interests.

We will be there to support you, personally and academically, from induction to graduation.

Fees & Finance

A lot of student finance information is available from numerous sources, but it is sometimes confusing and contradictory. That’s why at BGU we try to give you all the information and support we can to help to throughout the process. Our Student Advice team are experts in helping you sort out the funding arrangements for your studies, offering a range of services to guide you through all aspects of student finance step by step.

Click here to find information about fees, loans and support which will help to make the whole process a little easier to understand.

Undergraduate course applicants must apply via UCAS using the relevant UCAS code. For 2023 entry, the application fee is £27, and you can make a maximum of 6 choices. For 2024 entry the application fee is £27.50.
For all applicants, there are full instructions at UCAS to make it as easy as possible for you to fill in your online application, plus help text where appropriate.