Elective Module 1 (Core)
You rank the 14 subjects below in order of preference and you are allocated four. You are not always able to have your top four choices because of a restriction on numbers and timetable constraints.
1: Art and Design
The module develops your knowledge, understanding and skills in art and design. It develops confidence and competence to teach art and design safely and demonstrates the potential of the subject as a tool for learning and teaching across the curriculum. It enables you to explore and experiment with a range of media, processes and techniques, through discrete art themes. You explore the work of a range of artists, craftspeople and designers and relate it to your own work and visit an art gallery or a museum. You explore the health and safety issues that are unique to the practical aspects of art and design.
2: Computing
The module develops confidence in the use of computing applications. Through developing an understanding of the creative possibilities of using the interactive whiteboard and introducing a range of techniques in the use of software, you integrate their use into the planning and computer science teaching of a range of curriculum areas. Through a focus on modelling and control, you experience a range of opportunities to introduce these into the curriculum, developing children's ability to develop their ideas through creating sequences of instructions to make things happen and through changing variables and evaluating outcomes.
3: Design and Technology
This module develops your capability in the context of food technology and packaging for all children. You develop confidence and competence to teach D&T safely and hygienically in primary schools. You learn to develop units of work in food and packaging and manage practical work safely and effectively.
4: Early Years
The module develops understanding of the early years as a significant phase of learning and development, and explores key educational theories relating to how young children learn. You develop your knowledge and understanding of the value of play and the role of the learning environment. You look closely at the principles and structure of the early years foundation stage (EYFS) and critically consider how this current model lays the foundations for lifelong learning.
5: English
This module develops your knowledge and understanding of different genres of children's literature and of resources that support future professional development. You consider the nature and importance of reader response and explore creative responses to literature, including drama, story telling and book making.
6: Geography
The module develops the detailed knowledge, understanding and skills to teach geography effectively, by exploring appropriate research, geographical concepts, perspectives and theories of learning, especially geographical enquiry. You explore places near and far, including the school locality, UK localities and the global dimension.
7: History
This module encourages you to question how children can develop their historical knowledge and how this knowledge can be transferred in an exciting manner in order that children engage in enquiry and questioning about places, people and past events to help them understand their present and their impact on the future. You examine the use of a variety of sources of information and artefacts to enhance historical understanding, enquiry skills and a sense of ownership of the past.
8: Mathematics
This module focuses on the effective and creative use of resources in primary mathematics. You collaborate to plan and teach lessons in a local school and then evaluate your experiences, particularly considering how resources contribute to teaching, learning and assessment. You develop both your confidence and ability to teach using a wider range of strategies, whilst making stronger links between theory and practice.
9: Modern Foreign Languages (French or Spanish)
The module builds your confidence and competence to teach languages in primary schools by practising the required language skills and exploring the cultural knowledge needed to teach the KS2 curriculum. Sessions are practical and interactive and encourage lots of use of French or Spanish. Ideas for teaching activities and resources are shared and good MFL practice is modelled and discussed.
10: Music
This module develops your confidence and musicianship in vocal and instrumental performance, and the theoretical knowledge and understanding required to teach music at primary level. You gain insight into music of differing styles and cultures and develop the competence to facilitate musical activities which integrate performing, composing and appraising.
11: Physical Education
This module extends your subject knowledge, skills and understanding in PE to enable you to create an effective learning environment. With a focus on continuity and progression, you learn how to plan and implement a medium term unit of work and teach and evaluate a series of PE lessons, which are delivered in local schools. The module explores the importance of meeting individual needs and considers a range of strategies for managing pupils effectively in PE.
12: RE - Exploring World Religions
The module develops confidence in teaching and learning in religious education. The module develops in depth subject knowledge in the teaching of major world faiths and the knowledge of the principles and processes of good planning and assessment in religious education. You experience the value of outdoor learning and the importance of visits to places of worship.
13: RE - Teaching in a Christian context
The module develops confidence in teaching and learning in Christian religious education and other associated aspects of the curriculum, particularly PSHCE and sex and relationships education. There is a focus on the vocation of the teacher in a church school setting and developing an understanding of the concept of distinctiveness. You explore the personal contribution that a teacher can make to the mission and ethos of a church school.
14: Science
This module develops your understanding of the pedagogical issues related to the teaching and learning of science in the primary classroom with a particular focus on scientific enquiry. You explore approaches to classroom management, SEND, resourcing and lesson planning and deliver a series of lessons in a local primary school.