Education (Undergraduate)

EDUCATION

THE BA EARLY CHILDHOOD STUDIES HAS GIVEN ME THE UNDERSTANDING OF THE UNDERPINNING THEORIES. THE REWARDS ARE JUST IMMENSE - TO BE ABLE TO ASSIST YOUNG CHILDREN TO ATTAIN THEIR OPTIMAL POTENTIAL AND TO BE SEEN AS A POSITIVE MALE ROLE MODEL IS EVERYTHING!

WELCOME

TO THE SCHOOL

OF EDUCATION

Jonathan Brown Nursery Manager

BA (Hons) EARLY CHILDHOOD STUDIES UCAS code: L590

FdA EARLY CHILDHOOD STUDIES UCAS code: X310

BA (Hons) EARLY CHILDHOOD STUDIES WITH EYTS UCAS code: X562 The School of Education offers the highest quality courses to students who are enthusiastic to learn, study and work in education based careers.

schools, teachers’ professional developed, national and international consultancy and actively research and publish in their fields.

We offer students on a variety of full-time on campus awards which allows them to access various Initial Teacher Training (ITT) and postgraduate awards; although many find jobs in child care once they’ve finished their degree.

We ensure students are ready for their chosen careers by ensuring that placements are undertaken in our awards and that feedback is given for both academic and the vocational aspects of the course; something that you’ll find hard to get outside of Staffordshire University. This has resulted in a track record of high student satisfaction, student achievement and employability.

Above all the School of Education recognises students for the future professionals which they are striving to become. We’ll work alongside you in supporting your understanding and skills so that you can apply these to the sectors of education to ensure that you can empower future generations.

Our academic team are passionate about what they teach. Not only do they lead these high quality awards they also continue to support the development of

BA (Hons) EDUCATION UCAS code: X300

CONTENTS: 2 4 6 8 10 12 14 16 18 19

We’re doing great things here, we look forward to seeing you doing great things too.

To find out more, please visit:

www.staffs.ac.uk/education

JIM PUGH

Head of School of Education

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Discover more: www.staffs.ac.uk/undergraduate

t: 01782 294400

Introduction Key Facts Why Staffs? Undergraduate Why Staffs? Postgraduate Case Studies Our Brilliant People A Better Campus Choose More Open Days Application Process

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HERE ARE JUST A FEW REASONS WHY WE BELIEVE YOU SHOULD STUDY WITH US. TO REALLY FIND OUT IF WE’RE RIGHT FOR YOU, PLEASE COME ALONG TO ONE OF OUR OPEN DAYS. WE’D LOVE TO MEET YOU.

KEY FACTS INSPIRED TEACHING

To ‘inspire’ you we’ll invite leading practitioners from the world of education to work with you through workshops and conferences.

We’ll also help you to become an ‘inspiring’ educator, by developing your practical skills through real-life learning and teaching scenarios.

WORK-READY WORLD READY

Study with us and we’ll equip you to become ‘The Staffordshire Graduate’ – a world-ready professional, with the knowledge, attributes and expertise that employers look for.

All our courses have work or work placement at their core and are supported by our specialist facilities and equipment.

FIRST-CLASS LINKS

To make sure you learn from the very best, we have excellent links with leading schools, early childhood settings and other education departments across the UK. These include museums, zoos and the leisure industry.

LEADING RESEARCH FLEXIBLE STUDY

Our education degrees can be studied full-time or part-time, giving you the flexibility to learn in a way that suits your needs.

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HIGHLY RATED

Not everyone studies education because they want to be a teacher.

But if that’s your goal, when you graduate you could progress to our highly rated PGCE (teacher training) programme.

The School of Education is also home to the Institute for Education Policy Research, a specialist centre renowned for the high calibre of its work. You’ll get to experience research as you develop into a reflective, research-informed educator.

EDUCATION BEYOND THE CHILD

We also provide education programmes in the Lifelong Learning Sector. This means that we have expertise in all aspects of education, which we use to make your learning transferable across age ranges.

LINKS WITH EMPLOYERS

We have excellent relationships with hundreds of educational providers – relationships that can often lead to exciting career opportunities.

Discover more: www.staffs.ac.uk/undergraduate

t: 01782 294400

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WHY STAFFS? Undergraduate Studying for an undergraduate award in education at Staffordshire University means benefiting from the expertise of a team that genuinely understands the needs of the education sector.

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LEARN FROM INDUSTRY PROFESSIONALS To make sure you graduate with the skills necessary for a successful career in education, you’ll learn from experienced professionals – lecturers who understand how people learn and how you can develop learning. They know the type of job roles you could go into and how to make you highly employable.

GAIN A REAL INSIGHT Both your teaching and support will come from leading academics and professionals in education, including head teachers, teachers, nursery managers, early years professionals, teaching agency advisors, external examiners, Ofsted inspectors and education consultants. Their combined expertise provides a valuable insight into the education profession – and all of these people are there to help you reach your full potential.

OUTCOMES FOR TRAINEES ARE OUTSTANDING AS A RESULT OF THE HIGH QUALITY TRAINING. Ofsted 2010

Study with us and you’ll also become part of a bigger education community with access to our online discussion and resource spaces, where you can ask questions, gain information and debate subjects whenever and wherever it suits you.

VALUABLE WORKPLACE SKILLS To give you first-hand experience of the skills you’ll need for a career in education, all our awards have work or a work placement at their heart.

We have excellent relationships with hundreds of educational providers. These include early years settings, schools, colleges, NGOs, private training organisations, local authorities, local councils, the prison service and the armed forces. In short, we can provide a wealth of learning opportunities covering the whole age range and across the UK. As well as helping you learn from the best, these links can often lead to exciting careers.

STUDY BUILT AROUND YOUR NEEDS You’ll find that the teaching in the School of Education is not only relevant, but also flexible.

For example, you can gain an undergraduate degree in a number of ways to suit your qualifications, interests and skills. Although most students study with us for three years full-time, we also offer parttime study options and work-based Foundation degrees.

CONTINUING PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT We’ll also look after you when you enter the world of work. Continuing Professional Development is essential in education for keeping up-to-date with the latest approaches and ideas. We have a wide range of carefully developed work-based training, classroombased training and professional updating courses - and our highly regarded MA Education - to support you as your career develops.

Discover more: www.staffs.ac.uk/undergraduate

t: 01782 294400

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WHY STAFFS? Postgraduate Staffordshire University’s School of Education offers an outstanding hybrid of school led and university supported provision for postgraduate teacher training.

LEARN FROM INDUSTRY PROFESSIONALS Our lecturer’s visionary course management ensures that our teacher training courses are at the cutting edge of research and school practice. Our course team have a huge and current experience within schools and teaching and are well connected to national training initiatives that inform our practice. In addition to offering excellent initial teacher training awards, academics in the School of Education are active in national and international consultancy, support schools and teachers in their development and continue to be research active and publish in the areas of their interest.

Our close links with employers fosters effective placement experiences for all our trainees who are supported in the work place by setting mentors, many of which are recent ex-trainees so know exactly what it’s like to study these courses.

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GAIN A REAL INSIGHT

VALUABLE WORKPLACE SKILLS

The neutrality and breadth of partnership of the university enables trainees to see a broad picture of schools that is not limited to a single school giving you a vast range of experience in differing school settings. Although our courses are based at our Stoke-on-Trent campus, we have a wide outreach into some 50 plus high performing schools within the local area and in Birmingham, the Black Country, Shropshire, Manchester, Derbyshire and beyond. Our bespoke, high quality, school focussed provision has a long record of recognised excellence, ensuring you are getting the right knowledge and skills for your career.

The suite of PGCE awards are designed to house our trainees in placements every week, whilst its unique placement pattern ensures trainees form supportive bonds with their peers and the award leaders as they meet as a subject specialist group each week.

The School of Education have links with several School Direct clusters.

These networks of schools work with the University to provide the excellence core initial teacher training for their trainees whilst offering their own value added flavour of teacher education.

The Head Teachers at the schools, colleges and nurseries which we collaborate with are confident with the quality of students from Staffordshire University and the training we provide. This is important to ensuring employment at the end of the award and we are proud that our employability rate is high with all those seeking posts securing appointments.

teachers, they are also outstanding thinkers about teaching.

The inclusion of Masters level credits being awarded to reward outstanding classroom teachers means that you not only gain your teaching qualification, but you also gain valuable postgraduate credits.

If you want to climb the academic ladder, you will have already gained credits towards further post graduate qualifications.

The wholly supportive provision that is focussed on individual students to tailor our training to the individual, meaning you learn in a way that works best for you.

STUDY BUILT AROUND YOUR NEEDS The school led nature of our courses blend perfectly with the university academic inputs to ensure our trainees are not only outstanding

Discover more: www.staffs.ac.uk/undergraduate

t: 01782 294400

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OUR BRILLIANT PEOPLE

HAVING ONLY A FEW CSES AND AN NVQ3, I HAD NEVER CONSIDERED MYSELF AS ‘ACADEMIC’ AND A DEGREE ALWAYS SEEMED OUT OF REACH, BUT ACHIEVING MY FOUNDATION DEGREE IN EARLY YEARS HAS CHANGED ALL THAT. I NOW HAVE A MANAGER’S POSITION AND WHEN I TALK, PEOPLE ACTUALLY LISTEN TO MY OPINIONS – THAT BA (HONS) DEGREE IS NOW FOR ME!

Celebrating success together Keeping education in the family, a mother and daughter graduated on the same day and with the same qualification. Alison Molloy, 45, and daughter Demi, 21, supported each other through their studies and are now celebrating their success together after gaining degrees in Early Childhood Studies.

Deb Rickus, Foundation degree in Early Years

Alison knew a change of career was due after being made redundant. She decided that childcare was the right route and took a position at Meadowside Nursery in Blurton. After gaining a taste of Higher Education with an NVQ, she progressed from Nursery Nurse, to Supervisor, eventually becoming Deputy Manager. At about the same time, daughter Demi began volunteering at the nursery, working alongside her mum.

I ALWAYS WANTED TO GET INTO TEACHING BUT I WAS UNABLE TO DO CHILDCARE AT COLLEGE. AFTER FINISHING MY A LEVELS I WENT THROUGH THE CLEARING PROCESS AND CONTACTED STAFFORDSHIRE UNIVERSITY WHO INVITED ME FOR AN INTERVIEW.

Achieved Ofsted ‘Outstanding’ I have really enjoyed my course, the lecturers are extremely helpful and friendly and throughout the 3 years of studying I have experienced what it is like to work in different early years settings which has supported me to choose what I would like to do after University life.

Talking about her course, Alison said: “It has been difficult at times. As a part-time student, it is hard to juggle family life, working full-time and to meet course deadlines – but friends and family have pulled me through it and supported me to continue and complete every stage.”

Studying BA (Hons) Early Childhood studies has opened many different doors and opportunities for me. After graduating I’ve been offered a job as a Senior Early Years Practitioner in a Montessori Nursery in London. And after gaining and developing my confidence during this undergraduate degree I will definitely be studying for a PGCE in a couple of years’ time.

Demi, who studied over three years, full-time, added: “With me on the same course, we were able to do it together and help each other through. Although it has been hard, having each other’s support has been great.”

It is very important as a person to have a passion and interest to work with children because it is hard work, however at the end of the day it is a very rewarding job.

Evelina Jakutonyte BA (Hons) Early Childhood Studies

Alison is now fully qualified and continues in her role as Deputy Manager at Meadowside. Demi has just been accepted onto the Graduate Teaching Programme (GTP) – an exciting opportunity to gain real life experience with continued training on the job. Demi has since trained to be a teacher.

Demi Molloy

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Discover more: www.staffs.ac.uk/undergraduate

t: 01782 294400

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WORKING WITH SCHOOLS Working with Schools Rode Heath Primary School in Cheshire is an example of just one school who we work in partnership with, which in turn offers our students real experiences in schools working with children. Rode Heath has taken on a number of students from different course from Staffordshire University, and because of our support and guidance before and after the placement they continue to work alongside us.

Headteacher Carl Leech says: “We’ve had the pleasure of working with Staffordshire University for a number of years and have placed several students here at Rode Heath Primary. It’s clear that Staffordshire have high expectations of their students and prepare them well for their time in schools.

Staffordshire students are clearly getting the right messages from their

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lecturers, always positive about the University and following from their placements with us go on to secure employment.”

Following a national recognition for their curriculum on space exploration, Rode Heath have worked alongside the University in capturing some of their approaches in film which are shared with students. In addition Rode Heath lead a cluster of schools which in partnership with the School of Education here at Staffordshire University offer a Schools Direct route into primary teacher training.

Discover more: www.staffs.ac.uk/undergraduate

t: 01782 294400

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A BETTER CAMPUS

AT STAFFORDSHIRE UNIVERSITY, WE’RE COMMITTED TO INVESTING IN YOUR FUTURE – LITERALLY. OVER A PERIOD OF 18 MONTHS, WE’RE SPENDING MILLIONS OF POUNDS ON OUR UNIVERSITY CAMPUSES, SO WHEN YOU JOIN US, YOU’LL BE COMING TO A PLACE WITH EVERYTHING YOU NEED TO START OPENING DOORS AND BREAKING BOUNDARIES.

In recent years, our Stoke-on-Trent campus has undergone a massive transformation, with the students at the heart of our plans. From the amazing Science Centre to environmental improvements, we’re focused on building the best campus for our students.

But whilst it’s all well and good a university saying they care what students think, we’re putting our money where our mouth is.

This all stems from a decision to make Stoke-on-Trent the main campus of Staffordshire University. In 2016 the majority of students from our Stafford Computing and Technology courses will be

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moving to the Stoke-on-Trent campus. So we’re making sure that when you arrive, you enter a university that is fit for purpose. One with a great mix of study and social spaces. One that feels safe and thrives on the friendly reputation we’ve built.

What we found was that a modern edge-of-city campus is ideal. Close enough to the city for the social life, but far enough away to focus on studying. Great transport links around the city, but also great spaces around the campus.

The best of both worlds.

So, starting in Summer 2015, we’ll be working on the College Road and Leek Road sites of our Stoke Campus.

We’ll be creating great social spaces and easy access between the Students’ Union, venues and teaching rooms.

Bringing the best teaching facilities together with fantastic student areas – making it feel safe and easy to jump between your lectures and your life outside University.

As well as that, we’re also investing £12m in a new Computing and Games facility. This project, called Digital Kiln, will merge beautiful learning space with state-of-theart technology to support all sorts of courses from Cyber Security to Games Design.

This investment is continuing the work we’ve already started to create great social spaces and easy access between the Students’ Union, halls of residence, and other facilities. We’ve committed to doubling the investment that’s already started to create enhanced facilities. Come 2016, it’s going to have the buzz and the feel of the edge-of-city campus that students want.

Vice-Chancellor Professor Michael Gunn Healthcare Centres of Excellence This redevelopment work isn’t just happening in Stoke-on-Trent though. Healthcare and Midwifery students won’t miss out with significant further investment in our Centres of Excellence in Stafford and Shrewsbury – adding new student spaces and learning resources to make these campuses totally self-contained and right up to date.

So, with all this to come, maybe it’s time you joined us at Staffordshire University?

Discover more: www.staffs.ac.uk/undergraduate

t: 01782 294400

KEY FACTS WORK STARTS: SUMMER 2015 ADDITIONAL £40M INVESTMENT IN STOKE-ON-TRENT CAMPUS MULTI-MILLION POUND INVESTMENT IN STAFFORD CENTRE OF HEALTHCARE EXCELLENCE AND SHREWSBURY CENTRE OF HEALTHCARE EXCELLENCE COMPLETION DATE: AUTUMN 2016.

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CHOOSE

MORE AT STAFFORDSHIRE UNIVERSITY, WE WANT TO GIVE YOU AN EDGE OVER THE COMPETITION. WE WANT YOU TO TAKE AWAY SOMETHING EXTRA. SO WE MAKE SURE YOU’LL GET SOMETHING EXTRA WHEN YOU’RE HERE. A LOT EXTRA ACTUALLY. To help you open doors as well as your mind, we’re spending millions of pounds on our edge-of-city campus. When you’re here, you’ll be able to work with brilliant academics and access a whole load of cutting edge facilities; from animation studios to photography darkrooms to surface decoration workshops. Past students have gone on to exhibit at prestigious galleries, museums and festivals across the world.

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You can also get more back with grants, loans and bursaries to help fund your study whilst enjoying a cost of living ranked the third lowest in the UK.

MAKE MORE OF YOUR TIME HERE • Improve your skills with online training platform Lynda.com and access over 3,000 online tutorial videos • Want to get fit while you study? Take advantage of our special student rate gym memberships • Don’t just learn while you’re with us, earn. Take a job at the Students’ Union, become a paid Student Ambassador with Unitemps or turn working while you study upside down with a seasonal role at Alton Towers Resort • Then spend. We’re a hop, skip and a short walk from shops, boutiques, restaurants, bars and clubs • Catch the latest musicals, opera, drama at the Regent Theatre and Stafford Gatehouse

MORE WAYS TO STUDY YOUR WAY • Grants, loans and bursaries to help fund your study • More hands-on, real world learning, fewer lectures • Hit the books whenever you want - access to our 24- hour library • Get all the software you need including access to the Adobe Creative Cloud Suite and download Microsoft Office 365 on up to five devices for free • Professional guest lecturers - previous presentations included Microsoft, Marvel Comics and Epic Games

At Staffordshire University, you’re in the best place to do more, with City Centre shops, boutiques, restaurants, theatres, bars and clubs all just a short stroll away.

Plus, with student rate gym memberships and over 100 sports, clubs and societies to join – including skydiving, snow sports and our very own Beard Society – you can experience more too.

So, if you’re looking for a place that gives you exactly what you need to succeed (and more), then open the door and your mind to Staffordshire University.

A CAMPUS WITH MORE TO OFFER • We’ve spent and continue to spend millions of pounds on our edge-of-city campus • We’re a place literally in the middle of things with easy access to Manchester, Birmingham, London • Get your film fix at our on-campus Film Theatre • Take advantage of our brilliant and friendly Student Support team • Stay fit and well with our NHS Healthcare centre with two doctors • Enjoy a cost of living ranked third lowest in the UK

Discover more: www.staffs.ac.uk/undergraduate

t: 01782 294400

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APPLICATION PROCESS NOT RECEIVED THE OFFER YOU WANTED?

Apply for up to 5 courses by

UCAS JANUARY DEADLINE

CHANGED YOUR MIND?

GOT YOUR RESULTS?

RECEIVED There’s only one real way to experience Staffordshire University, and that’s to come and see it for yourself.

OFFERS?

That’s where an Open Day comes in. This is your opportunity to get to know the place. Test it out.

Immerse yourself in every aspect of Staffordshire University and see if it’s right for you.

We’ll give you the chance to see everything, from the Students’ Union and the library to the IT suites and our impressive sports facilities. We’ll also show you the halls of residence, so you can start planning exactly where to put your TV and laptop.

You’ll then meet our expert lecturers, see live demonstrations of lab and studio sessions, and delve deeper into your chosen subject with an informative talk.

Advice is available on managing your student finances and ways to fund your study, as well as tips on writing a strong personal statement to include in your application.

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Best of all, you’ll have time to speak with current students about their experiences of Staffordshire University – which means you can hear exactly what it’s like to be at the heart of things in the centre of the country. It’s the best way to get a real feel for life here.

UCAS EXTRA

Late Feb – early July.

Gives you another chance to apply.

NOT MET THE CONDITIONS OF YOUR OFFER?

CONDITIONAL OFFERS UNCONDITIONAL OFFER

University is where you’re due to spend the next few years of your life, so before you decide on somewhere, it makes sense to have a good look around.

APPLY VIA

SELECT FIRM ACCEPTANCE & INSURANCE ACCEPTANCE

MET THE CONDITIONS OF YOUR OFFER?

ENROLMENT WELCOME TO STAFFORDSHIRE UNIVERSITY

Our Open Days give you an idea of everything Staffordshire University has to offer, so you’ll be ready to make one of the most important – and most exciting – decisions of your life.

DON’T PANIC CALL US...

CLEARING

The UCAS clearing process gives students another opportunity to find a place.

LEARN MORE OR BOOK YOUR PLACE AT

www.staffs.ac.uk/opendays GO ONLINE TO WATCH OUR VIRTUAL TOURS

MISSED THE UCAS DEADLINE?

Don’t worry, apply via UCAS until the end of June and if we have vacancies left on your course we’ll consider your application. We accept CLEARING applications from mid July.

Visit: www.staffs.ac.uk/clearing

Discover more: www.staffs.ac.uk/undergraduate

t: 01782 294400

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For more detailed information on courses or studying at Staffordshire University, visit: www.staffs.ac.uk/undergraduate

www.staffs.ac.uk/socialmedia The information in this guide is correct at time of publication, but may be subject to change.

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