Congratulations on successfully securing your place with us here at Birmingham Newman University Primary Initial Teacher Training.
The Primary team are looking forward to welcoming you and supporting you on your journey to becoming primary school teachers. We are a team of primary practitioners with expertise across the full primary curriculum and you will get to meet all tutors during the induction.
We have a passion for education and teaching at Birmingham Newman that you will experience when you arrive. The course is challenging but will take you on a rewarding personal journey so enjoy a restful festive break and we will see you in January.
Please remember that all conditions for meeting course entry have to be done by the start of programme. Remind yourself of those conditions and chase anything that you are still outstanding:
Find all qualification certificates
Equivalency test if you have not obtained a level 4 in GCSE Maths, English or Science. Speak to admissions or visit Equivalency Testing | Home | GCSE equivalency testing
Occupational health questionnaire
DBS
2 references
Timetable
Teacher training courses are a full-time commitment. When you are on placement you will be expected to attend all day Monday to Friday.
For on campus activities students are split into groups at enrolment. Each group will have its’ own timetable where some aspects can change on a weekly basis. Normally classes will be distributed across 4 – 5 days per week between 9am to 6pm.
Full details of your individual academic timetable will be available via your university email calendar after you have completed online enrolment and set up your student login.
Induction day
Monday 5 January 2026
Estimated 9am to 4pm
Start day in room CH116
PGCE Primary Core InductionMonday 5th January 2026
Time
Session
Staff
Venue
9.00-11.00
Welcome Outline of the induction schedule Getting to know you and the course Professionalism and partnership
Sally Darlington
CH116
11.00-11.30
Break
11.30-12.00
Scavenger Hunt Getting to know you and the campus Q&A
Sally Darlington
Various sites around campus CH116
12.00-13.00
Lunch
13.00-14.00
Introduction to PGP710 Introduction to your first master’s module
Sally Darlington
DA001
14.00-15.30
Department Talks Student Success IT Library
Penny White Raj Kumar Chris Porter
DA001
IMPORTANT: Please bring your photo ID with you to complete the ID verification check for Student Finance confirmation.
Pre-arrival activities
Your programme has been designed around the core content framework. It would be a good idea to familiarise yourself with this curriculum.
Here is the link: Initial teacher training (ITT): core content framework – GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)
Birmingham Newman has gone above and beyond this expectation and created a curriculum based around 5 themes which are:
Adaptive Practice
Understanding and managing behaviour
Teaching, learning and assessment
Subject Knowledge
Role of the teacher
We have provided you with preparation tasks linked to all 5 themes. There is no expectation to have done any of these tasks, but it is recommended to get as far ahead as you can so are highly recommended. (See separately emailed word document for the tasks)
Activity
Academic references/key reading
Adaptive Practice: SEND in mainstream school:
1. Look at either the EEF recommendations poster or the full report on how to support children with SEND in mainstream school. Consider strategies that you have seen in school and how these have worked. Based on the report/poster also consider your own strategies for supporting children with SEND in school.
Understanding and managing behaviour: Behaviour in mainstream school:
2. Look at either the EEF recommendations poster or the full report on how schools can better support children in school with managing their own behaviour. Consider strategies that you have seen in school and how these have worked. Based on the report/poster also consider the challenges faced for both staff and pupils and how this report will guide your own practice
3. 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
4. Learn about different resources and activities which can really enhance your teaching. Explore primary resources and teaching ideas websites
5. 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:
6. 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. Also start to consider what misconceptions children may have and how you will go about helping them overcome these.
Maths Home | NCETM have a look at the teaching videos in the ‘RE-sources’ section
7. Investigate a school of your choice in the UK. Look up the following information:
– Percentage of pupils with English as an additional language (EAL). -Percentage of pupils receiving free school meals (FSM). -Percentage of pupils identified as having special educational needs or disabilities (SEND). -Ofsted report (Overall report grade and category grades). -What are the implications for you as a class teacher? -What are the challenges and opportunities likely to be?
8. Professionalism is a vital part of being a teacher and is expected from induction onto the programme. Take a read of the independent review on teachers’ professional development
Tom Boodell – Pathway Lead (5-11 and 7-11 pathway)
Laura Lees – Pathway Lead (3-7 pathway)
Module delivery
Your first 4 weeks of on campus teaching sessions will consist purely of small group seminars and some online delivery across core curriculum, broad curriculum and masters sessions.
