TE6681 - Primary Professional Practice

The programme is designed for you to spend more than 120 days in school over the course of this PGCE where you will work alongside teacher mentors as you develop a full appreciation of the role of a primary teacher. The professional relationship between mentor/mentee is a key component of learning and development and through a process of observation and feedback your performance will improve and become more assured. This is further enhanced by the peer relationship you develop in your paired placements where learning is underpinned by a mutually beneficial collaborative and cooperative approach to practice. The process of critical self reflection supported by experienced professionals will help you to learn about specific strategies and approaches to teaching, behaviour management and inclusion as you learn how to support the needs of all children in your class. Opportunities across the whole school context will also help you to gain valuable experience and insight into the wider professional role. This might include taking responsibility for,or contributing to, extra curricular clubs and activities or working alongside support staff/parents outside of lessons.
Through a combination of assessed and non- assessed school placements, this module is designed to support you as you develop the ability to work cooperatively as part of a team, communicate effectively, adopt a flexible approach and become highly effective teacher.

You will be supported by both university and school based staff throughout this module. The teachers you work closely with in your host classes will be the key mentors and will provide targeted support as you develop your approaches to teaching and learning. You will also benefit from the professional relationships you develop with other school based teaching and support staff. University based sessions supported by an extensive range of documentation and resources made available via the eLP will ensure that you are able to make links between all aspects of the PGCE as you develop and apply your understanding in a school context. An essential component in this is the role of the Link Tutor who will visit you in school, carry out joint observations of your practice with your mentor and provide you with specific guidance and support where needed. Your Link Tutor will be available by email and works with the programme academic team to ensure your placement experience is a positive one.

All modules at Northumbria include a range of reading materials that students are expected to engage with. The reading list for this module can be found at: http://readinglists.northumbria.ac.uk
(Reading List service online guide for academic staff this containing contact details for the Reading List team – http://library.northumbria.ac.uk/readinglists)

Knowledge & Understanding:
• Independently observe, plan, teach, manage, monitor and assess within the primary curriculum 3-11 and where appropriate with the help of experienced professionals within the educational contexts.
• Demonstrate your subject knowledge and pedagogy, including the use of ICT, across the curriculum, for the relevant age phases of Early Years, Key Stages 1 and 2, by operating with independence in primary educational settings using, as appropriate, help and support from experienced professionals.

Intellectual / Professional skills & abilities:
• Be able to use your knowledge, understanding and ability to work autonomously and as part of a team in professional contexts of primary schools and related educational settings.
• Develop a range of professional and competency based skills in a professional context including those specified in Standard 8 and Part Two of the Teachers Standards 2012.

Personal Values Attributes (Global / Cultural awareness, Ethics, Curiosity) (PVA):
• Critically reflect upon, analyse and evaluate your personal and professional understanding and practice in primary educational settings in order to set and action continued professional development in order to meet the requirements specified in Teachers Standards 2012.

Formative Assessment
Initial Paired Placement (Non-Assessed): This is a 7 week placement that takes place in November/ December.
School A

Summative Assessment

1. First Assessed Placement: (7 weeks) January/February
School A
KU : 1,2 ; IPSA : 1,2 ; PVA ; 1

2. Final Assessed Placement: (10 weeks) April - June
School B
KU : 1,2 ; IPSA : 1,2 ; PVA ; 1

During the assessed weeks within each of the placements a student’s progress is monitored and recorded on a tracking system. Verbal and written feedback is provided to the student following a Weekly Review of Progress meeting

A good honours degree.

PGCE Primary Modules:
• PIP
• LTA
• CCC

‘Primary Professional Practice’ is the module that will provide you with the school based experience to help you to become an excellent teacher. You will develop your subject, theoretical and pedagogical knowledge in a range of classroom settings; working alongside outstanding teachers and specialist practitioners to build the confidence and competence needed to be awarded Qualified Teacher Status. Assessment and feedback will underpin your professional development as you not only respond to the guidance from your mentor and tutor but also engage with these principles as you assess the work of children and use feedback to help you adapt lessons to suit their needs. This module is a key feature of this PGCE and the experience it provides will equip you with the skills and competencies sought by employers. As an Early Career Teacher (ECT) from Northumbria you will be positioned favourably to gain employment in the field.