Course modules
Year 1
Curriculum Design and Assessment
This module aims to develop a holistic approach to planning, teaching, learning and assessment, building on prior knowledge of learning and teaching domains, lesson planning techniques and the development of intuitive practices with regard to learning strategies, group dynamics and student motivation. The study of external and internal influences on curriculum development and design aims to support trainee teachers in creating schemes of work, session plans and resources that provide high quality learning experiences. The module also aims to develop the trainees’ skills in the design and use of assessment as a means for checking, promoting and deepening learning, while stretching learners to meet their full potential.
Preparation for Education and Training
This module is designed as an initial ‘toolkit’ for trainees wishing to commence a teaching career within the Further Education & Skills and Higher Education Sectors. All teaching strategies will aim to develop a confidence in trainees to undertake the role of teaching and develop informed reflection that will help to shape their own actions. Personal research and collection of data around teaching and learning is introduced through the observation of practitioners away from the classroom setting and production of observation reports. The keeping of a professional journal to capture critical learning moments and learning while on the module is an important part of the module process. Trainees’ prior knowledge and experience of teaching will be assessed in order to provide differentiated activities to promote learning for all.
Teaching Learning and Assessment
Trainees will be prepared for basic classroom management and delivery of learning through developing skills in a broad range of learning, teaching and assessment strategies. This module will also deal with the application of resources used by trainees in preparing and facilitating learning with their groups. Trainees will examine all aspects of the learning and teaching cycle in relation to their own practice. They will also focus on the importance of functional skills for their learners and be introduced to the appropriate embedding of support for these within their subject area.
Entry requirements & additional information
- Entry requirements
- Learning and assessment
- Progression
- Careers
- Professional accreditations
- Special requirements
Entry requirements
Admission to the Intermediate Certificate will be open to both new applicants to teaching and in-service teachers, trainers and tutors in adult, community, work-based and further education and the wider Further Education Sector, who, at the time of starting the scheme meet the following entry requirements:
- A Level 3 (QCF) qualification in their teaching subject specialism. Under exceptional circumstances some entrants may hold a relevant vocational qualification of at least the level above that of their learners.
- Five GCSEs at Grade C and above, or equivalent, to include English.
- The ability to communicate fluently, accurately and effectively in professional spoken English (IELTS 7.5 or equivalent).
- A teaching or training contract for a minimum of 75 hours of teaching per academic year. In some circumstances, a voluntary teaching placement may also be possible for part time trainees.
- Trainees must have a current full DBS disclosure prior to commencing the course.
Teaching Hours
The scheme is extremely dependent upon trainee teachers being able to put into practice in their own classrooms the values, knowledge and professional skills they gain through their studies. It is a requirement of the programme that applicants should be employed or in a placement as teachers, trainers or tutors for a minimum of 75 hours during the programme. Whilst this is a benchmark, in cases where the quality, quantity or breadth of the teaching is not sufficient to meet the requirements of the programme, it may be necessary to arrange for trainees to carry out some additional teaching. Teaching practice must be carried out predominantly with groups of learners, although some individual teaching can be undertaken. Effective teaching practice experience should ideally include:
- different teaching practice locations/settings/contexts
- teaching across more than one level
- teaching a variety of learners
- experience of non-teaching roles
Colleges have a limited number of placements available within the college itself, and applicants will be selected for these at an interview. The college will do what they can to assist with finding other placements but this cannot be guaranteed. If you find your own suitable placement, this will be checked by your college.
Please note that applicants wanting to teach English and applicants wanting to teach maths without a degree/’A’ Level in maths will have to complete an additional entry assessment to demonstrate their content knowledge and skills. This may impact on the acquisition of a suitable teaching practice placement and therefore additional time must be factored for this.
Applicants also need to demonstrate at interview and through references that they have the potential to become a good teacher. If you have non-standard qualifications please contact the college course leader to enquire about equivalences.
Learning and assessment
Learning Environment:
Learning activities on the course are diverse, including lectures, seminars, tutorials and teaching practice. This course makes the most of the extensive College facilities on site allowing trainees to practice in an environment that is realistic for them. Trainees will be expected to undertake independent study and research to support lectures, seminars and assessments. Group work and teaching practice will form an important part of the course.
This course makes the most of the new Higher Education accommodation, College library and Virtual Learning Environment.
Although you are undertaking the programme at a franchised centre, you are enrolled as a student at the University of Central Lancashire and have the same entitlements as a student attending the University's Preston Campus including access to the Library and Learning Resources Service, Student Services, Student Loans and membership of the Student Union, etc. .
Assessment:
Programme assessment
The teaching, learning and assessment strategies used on the programme are varied and dependent upon active participation and interaction within groups. There are no examinations, so assessment is continuous and is based upon the completion of appropriate assignments, the observation of your teaching and the general gathering together of evidence to demonstrate that you are working towards achieving the Professional Standards for Teachers and Trainers in Education and Training – England (ETF 2014). This evidence must be collated in your Teaching Practice Portfolio which contains the various proformas required for logging your evidence of experience and learning and for reflecting on the achievement.
There are three integrated aspects of assessment on the programme:
· Teaching practice – assessed through teaching observations and the development of a teaching practice portfolio
· Coursework assignments – assessed by the course tutors. No assignments are graded: all are assessed on a pass or refer basis. Details are shown in the table below.
· Professionalism – assessed through your participation in classroom activities, performance in teaching and general attitude and approach to your role as a trainee teacher.
In addition to meeting the module learning outcomes, trainee teachers are required to meet the attendance requirements of the programme and part 2 of the Department for Education Teachers’ Standards, and to work towards the Professional Standards (ETF). Professionalism is assessed throughout the programme.
Additional Information:
As a trainee teacher, you are preparing for a professional role and need to behave as a professional throughout your course. All course participants sign a professionalism agreement when starting the course and are expected to adhere to the Department for Education Teachers’ Standards (part 2 personal and professional conduct). You may be subject to the University’s Fitness to Practise process if there are concerns regarding your professionalism or behaviour.
What work experience can I get?
An essential component of the part time Intermediate Certificate is a teaching placement where you are preparing and teaching lessons to learners aged 16+. You need 75 hours of teaching for the intermediate certificate. In cases where the quality, quantity or breadth of the teaching is not sufficient to meet the requirements of the programme, you may need to carry out some additional teaching. You may be able to complete part of your placement with 14-16 year olds. You will need to attend your placement for several hours a week. This will include experience of the other aspects of a teacher’s role as well as actual teaching.
If you are not already working as a paid teacher/lecturer (in-service), you will need to find your own suitable placement, which will be checked by your college. In some cases, colleges may be able to assist with finding placements but this cannot be guaranteed.
Progression
Once you have completed the Intermediate Certificate, you may wish to progress to a full teaching qualification, either the Cert Ed or the PGCE. These lead to a full teaching qualification for the Further Education and Skills sector. Once you are qualified as a teacher you can apply for QTLS (Qualified Teacher Learning and Skills) status, through the Society for Education and Training.
Careers
In the UK alone there are extensive job opportunities in the Lifelong Learning Sector in FE colleges, adult and community education, work-based learning, the NHS and Her Majesty’s Prison Service. The course teaches you to plan, implement and evaluate teaching and learning within this ever growing post-compulsory education sector.
Professional accreditations
As a trainee teacher, you are preparing for a professional role and need to behave as a professional throughout your course. All course applicants are expected to sign a ‘Trainee Conduct and Professionalism Agreement’ at the start of the programme (See Appendix 3 of the application form). In addition, you are expected to adhere to the Department for Education Teachers’ Standards (part 2 personal and professional conduct) and may be subject to the University’s Fitness to Practise process if there are concerns regarding your professionalism or behaviour.
Special requirements
Additional Costs that are mandatory for this course:
DBS requirements: Your placement will require you to have an up to date DBS (Disclosure and Barring Service) certificate. The current cost of this is £44 for an enhanced check. If you are already employed as a teacher this will already have been done by your employer.
Travel to and from your placement and observations of peers and other teachers is at your own cost.
Teaching materials: If you are a pre-service trainee (on a voluntary placement) you may be allocated a photocopying allowance at your placement setting, but many trainees find that they need to supplement this themselves.