Primary (5-11) (U940)
We offer primary initial teacher training for the 5 to 11 age range.
Our primary teacher training programme enables you to observe, learn and teach at each stage in a child’s early development. It equips you with the subject and phase knowledge to plan and deliver the National Curriculum across Key Stages One and Two in the 5-11 age range whilst also developing a knowledge and understanding of the Early Years Framework.
Throughout the programme, you will work closely with your lead mentor, phase/subject mentor and phase lead to ensure that you get all the support you need to become an excellent teacher.
The course runs from September to June with a registration and induction day in August prior to your course start date.
School placements
During your placements, you will develop your pedagogy and practice through learning from highly experienced colleagues who have taught successfully in primary schools for many years. In addition to being placed in two contrasting primary schools, we also provide Experience Days so that you gain insights into early years settings and the secondary school context to give you a deeper understanding of a child’s educational journey. We take note of candidates’ transport needs and, where possible, seek to place them in schools that are conveniently located for their individual circumstances.
As an integral part of the curriculum, four Intensive Training and Practice experiences (ITAPs) focus on pivotal aspects of the training and provide further opportunities to observe, reflect and apply what you have learned, strengthening your understanding of the link between evidence and classroom practice.
Assessment
Your progress towards meeting the Teachers’ Standards, and acquiring the intended knowledge, understanding, skills and professional behaviours of our curriculum, is assessed holistically.
For QTS: Assessment is ongoing throughout the year, and includes observation of your practice and evidence of your success from mentors, subject and/or phase leads and yourself. You are assessed against our curriculum as the year progresses, summarised at four review points in a Holistic Review Summary, and against the Teachers’ Standards at the end of the programme in the Early Career Teacher transfer document.
For PGCE: Assessment is by two written assignments for Sheffield Hallam University that are assessed at master’s degree level and provide the 60 MA credits, which are academically robust and grounded in your day-to-day practice.
Upon successful completion of the course, you gain a PGCE which includes QTS (Qualified Teacher Status). The QTS can be used as the first third of a master’s degree (60 credits), should you wish to continue with this accredited professional development.