Primary Education with recommendation for QTS (3-11) (BA Hons)

You will no doubt be excited about embarking on this journey to becoming an inspiring and effective classroom teacher and will be eager to get started in preparation for a challenging but rewarding three years.

The Birmingham Newman BA Hons Primary Education with recommendation for QTS (3-11) course is structured to provide a strong preparation for your first teaching post but if you would like to begin thinking and preparing for the year ahead we have a few suggestions for you:

1. Have a look at the National Curriculum and/or the Early Years Framework. Both are available online and it is a great idea to read through and become more familiar with the primary curriculum:

• National curriculum in England: primary curriculum
• Early years foundation stage (EYFS) statutory framework

2. Have a think about your subject knowledge. There are some great websites which can help you to think about any gaps in your knowledge or which may just help you to feel more confident. Here are just a few:

• Maths: National Centre for Excellence in the Teaching of Mathematics (NCETM) – have a look at the teaching videos in the ‘Resources’ section
• Science: The Association for Science Education (ASE)
• Science: Primary science resource collections – have a look at the interactive resources
• English: Centre for Literacy in Primary Education (CLPE) – check out the free resources and lesson plans
• Foreign language: Duolingo – 10 minutes per day could really help you to brush up your language skills!
• Religious Education (R.E.): National Association of Teachers of Religious Education (NATRE) – keep up-to-date with current developments in RE and find links to a variety of resources
• Physical Education (P.E.): Association for Physical Education – discover the importance of PE in primary education
• Early Years: The Kids Are Teaching Karate Lessons! | The Secret Life Of 5 Year Olds (YouTube) is a great way to discover the key issues in EYFS.
• Art: Access Art
• Art: Oak National Academy
• Design technology: Design and Technology Association
• Design technology: Oak National Academy
• Geography: Geographical Association
• History: Historical Association – The voice for history
• Music: BBC – Bring the Noise
• Computing: BBC Bitesize – Computing

3. Learn about different resources and activities which can really enhance your teaching. Explore these two websites:

• Primary Resources
• Teaching Ideas

4. By the end of your programme you will be expected to meet the Teachers’ Standards at the minimum requirement. Become familiar with these standards prior to the course:

• Teachers’ standards

5. Write down your questions! Every time you think of a question about your course, note it down somewhere, then bring your questions to the induction sessions in September where you will have the opportunity to speak to tutors and staff from other university departments.

Students have the opportunity to meet with their Academic Personal Tutor and other tutors during the 2 welcome days outlined above.

Online drop-ins – TBC

• Steve Patrick, UG Primary ITTE programme lead
• Gareth Pritchard, UG Year 1 lead
• Chris Ludlow, Head of Primary ITTE

• TEI430 – Introduction to professional enquiry (semester 1)
• TEI431 – Adaptive Practice: learning theory, models and approaches (semester 2)
• TEI432 – Planning for learning in Early Years (semester 1)
• TEI433 – Planning for learning in the core subjects (semester 2)
• TEI434 – Planning for learning in the foundation subjects (semester 2)
• SEI430 – Understanding Professional Practice (semester 1 and 2)