BA (Ed) Primary Teaching (English specialism)

High-quality education is essential if individuals are to realise their full potential. The teacher is fundamental to that process and therefore the development of teachers at all stages of their careers is a task of the utmost importance. Our programme is based on the view that education is about active and meaningful learning through which students should become analytical, creative and receptive to new ideas. By working with partnership schools and mentor teachers on our programme, we aim to raise the standards of newly qualified teachers on entry to the profession.

 

The BA (Ed) English Specialism:

• offers modules that include creative writing, the study of language, Shakespeare, and contemporary poetry

• develops in-depth knowledge and understanding of children's literature and media

• provides training as an English subject leader in the primary school. Many of our graduates go

on to hold this role

• values students as individuals

• is staffed by tutors who research and publish regularly.

The BA (Ed) English course is not the study of a random collection of authors and texts. It is specifically designed for trainee primary teachers who would like to continue to study their specialist subject in a relevant way at university level. The English modules you study and the way the modules are taught develop knowledge, skills and understanding which will be helpful to you as a teacher as well as enjoyable and interesting to you as a student. The course would suit those who have a strong interest in English and would like to study it further, but who also want to train as a primary teacher from the beginning of their undergraduate programme. You will also study Children's Literature and Media in each of the three years. The rest of the course is divided into three parts with a range of linked modules. In the first part the emphasis is upon modules which enable you to develop both your analytical and creative skills.

This includes:

• Childhood and autobiography

• Language and communication

• Literature and gender

• The craft of writing.

In the second part of the course, modules include:

• Shakespeare and the modern world

• Modern poetry

• Realisation of text.

In the final part of the course you will write a subject specialism dissertation which is linked to advanced units on children's literature and media. You will also study other modules which extend and deepen your knowledge and understanding of primary English teaching, literature and the media.