Help shape the learning of future generations with our Learning and Teaching Primary Education (Top-Up) degree.
By combining three teaching placements with academic study and learning from expert tutors with real-world experience, this course will advance your current knowledge and give you a strong understanding of what is needed to meet a teaching environment's professional standards and expectations.
Within West Yorkshire, teaching is one of the specialist skills that is currently in demand (WYCA, 2021), so this is a great time to consider it as a career and gain the necessary qualifications to join the workforce. This course provides anyone who is specifically interested in primary education with the exciting opportunity to meet the standards for Qualified Teacher Status (QTS). This will be assessed independently by the ITT-accredited provider Leeds City College Corporation and will be awarded upon completion of the BA (Hons) Learning and Teaching Primary Education (Top-Up) Degree. The programme will cover all stages of primary education, ages 3-11.
About the course
Across two semesters, you will learn in an environment that blends employment with academic learning, undergoing three teaching placements alongside more traditional-based classroom learning. You will develop core teaching elements in primary education, including teaching appropriately and effectively in a challenging environment, teaching across different education settings, and effective teaching strategies with children. You will also develop your understanding of how to teach across the primary curriculum and study modules that further cover teaching and learning approaches in theoretical and applied contexts, classroom pedagogy and curriculum subject knowledge.
Throughout this course, you'll be taught by expert tutors who have first-hand experience in the industry and will give you a fundamental understanding of what is needed to succeed in the field. The Luminate Partnership for Initial Teacher Training (ITT) was established in 2020 and you will benefit from our excellent links with our primary partnership schools and academies.
You will graduate with the following qualification: BA (Hons) Learning and Teaching (Primary Education). If you opt in to the QTS route, you will also gain QTS simultaneously to your BA (Hons) degree.
This course is subject to revalidation by The Open University
If you would like to apply for to study full time, please do so via UCAS.
The institution code for University Centre Leeds is L21.
The application fee for applying through UCAS is £27.50.
If you're interested in applying to study part-time, these applications must be submitted directly through our website via our following link:
If you are a student currently studying at Leeds City College, Keighley College or Harrogate College and if all of the following applies:
Then you can make a direct application via our following link:
Internal Students - Direct Application Form
For further information in regards to this please email admissions@ucleeds.ac.uk
Compulsory modules may include:
Professional Practice 1: Contemporary Primary School Based Education (20 credits)
This module provides opportunities for you to meet the professional standards and expectations of teaching through a practical, school-based experience during your first teaching practice placement.
Behaviour, Wellbeing and Safeguarding in Primary Education (20 credits)
Gain practical advice on the skills and strategies you will need to appropriately and effectively cope with challenging behaviour in a range of educational settings.
Teaching Learning and Assessment in Primary Education (20 credits)
Explore the factors that contribute to the development of effective teaching strategies in the education of children and young adults.
Inclusive Professional Practice in Primary Education (20 credits)
In this module, you will critically evaluate the role of education when it comes to supporting the diverse needs of learners. You will also consider interventions aimed at eliminating barriers to participation.
Optional modules may include:
Professional Practice 2: Reflecting on Professional Practice in Primary Education* (20 credits)
During your second teaching placement, you will develop your subject specialist teaching skills. You will also develop your ability to plan a series of lessons that build on and sustain progression in pupils’ learning.
Professional Practice 3: Primary Stage Specific Theory and Practice* (20 credits)
In your third teaching placement, you will experience the complexity of non-mainstream secondary education, including independent alternative provision, off-site direction and special schools.
Major Research Project (40 credits)
Engage in educational research and undertake a research project based on a theme of interest within the primary school sector.
*These modules are required if opting for QTS
You will benefit from the unique experiences that being a student within the Luminate Partnership for ITT will provide, these include:
You will also have the opportunity to become members of the Chartered College of Teaching, the professional body for teachers. This membership is free for students and will provide you with access to research, resources and insight that enable excellent teaching. You will be encouraged to sign up to a student membership subject association such as: The Association for Science Education (ASE), Association for Physical Education (AFPE), The Chartered Institute of IT (BCS) and The National Centre for Excellence in the Teaching of Mathematics (NCETM).
Your teaching practice placements will be assessed by an Individual Progress Journal that contributes towards the achievement of each of the Teachers’ Standards. Assessment will take a holistic approach by considering the Teachers’ Standards throughout and including behaviours, attitudes, and competencies across a number of different aspects of practice.
Other assessments may feature a variety of observational and coursework-based methods designed to contribute to the development of your professional practice, and may include:
The assessments are contextualised to your practice and relate to a work-related problem. You are encouraged to engage critically with whole-school improvement efforts in your assessed work. The assessments have been designed to result in recommendations for future school-based practice.
The course will be delivered at the Teacher Development Centre at our Park Lane Campus in Leeds City Centre. The Teacher Development Centre has a purpose-built library with relevant teaching and learning literature and a wealth of resources such as books, journals and other publications. The space also hosts several classrooms, which offer a variety of delivery and learning experiences.
New students are also provided with a Chromebook to support them with their studies. Please see more information about the Chartered College of Teaching here: https://chartered.college/
TYPICAL OFFER
Foundation Degree: Pass on the second year of a foundation degree in a relevant subject.
HND: Pass grade in a relevant subject.
GCSE English: English Language grade 4 or equivalent. Key Skills Level 2, Functional Skills Level 2 and the Certificate in Adult Literacy are accepted in place of GCSEs.
GCSE Maths: Maths grade 4 or equivalent. Key Skills Level 2, Functional Skills Level 2 and the Certificate in Adult Numeracy are accepted in place of GCSEs.
GCSE: 3 GCSEs at grade 4 and above to include at least one science subject. If a candidate does not have the required standard at GCSE, or an equivalent qualification, this will not preclude them from being invited to interview. However, achievement of the required standard will be made a condition of their offer. To be compliant with DfE criteria, original certificates must be produced prior to enrolment.
IELTS: IELTS 6.0 with no less than 5.5 in any component.
International qualifications: International qualifications will be assessed against these criteria.
Interview / Audition: All entrants, as part of the provider’s selection procedures, must have taken part in a rigorous selection process designed to assess their suitability to undertake the course. The College is unable to offer places on its top-up programme without a selection process that includes an interview.
Supplementary Learning Outcomes: Any student applying with an FD/HND not related to primary education must produce additional evidence of prior experience or learning to show that they have the capacity to meet the level 6 primary-focused outcomes.
DBS checks: Successful applicants must complete an enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check and be cleared to teach by the accredited provider, ensuring they are not barred from working with young people or excluded from teaching. Candidates will also be required to sign up for the Update Service. Applicants wil be informed of the requirement to complete a DBS check as soon as they have accepted an offer. *The respective roles and responsibilities of our partners in relation to the DBS checks and responsibility for informing the relevant school/provider are clearly defined within the Partnership Agreements. The Luminate Partnership for ITT has established a common understanding of convictions that might pose a barrier to joining, or continuing with, a programme of ITT and the circumstances under which concerns about a particular student should be referred to the police.
Health Declaration: All students will complete a health questionnaire. This is supported by a local healthcare trust that works with the Leeds City College Corporation for the healthcare of its employees. This will be administered by the ITT Admissions Tutor. The outcome of the health assessment will determine the candidates’ fitness to teach. When any health concerns arise, additional measures will be put in place to support the student if required. This will be managed by the local health care trust.
Note: You will need to fulfil the entry criteria below to be offered a place on the programme. All applications will be reviewed by the ITT Admissions Tutor. The entry criteria are cross-referred to the relevant criteria within the Initial Teacher Training (ITT): Criteria and Supporting Advice (updated 4th September, 2020) and have statutory force under The Education (School Teachers’ Qualifications) (England) Regulations 2003.
Additional costs include:
*You may be entitled to have some of the cost of your journeys between your term-time accommodation and your placement site reimbursed by the training provider.
On successful completion of your training, progression can include employment opportunities within and outside of the Luminate Partnership for ITT. Roles may include primary school teacher or support roles in schools such as Learning Support or Behaviour Support roles.
Those who opt in to QTS will be assessed against the Department for Education Teachers’ Standards. QTS recommendations require that you have achieved your degree award.
Alternatively, you may wish to develop your expertise and career prospects further moving onto Masters level study.
For the latest version of the programme specifications for this course please click here.
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