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Secondary Professional Studies in Education (SWTT)

Module description

In this module you will explore the application of key ideas in teaching and learning and apply them specifically to your subject teaching at Foundation Stage, Key Stages 1 and/or 2 (as appropriate to your route/placements). Some topics will be the focus of intensive training and practice sessions. You will engage with literature focused on subject teaching in primary schools and explore these ideas in practice.

Module aims - intentions of the module

The core aim of this module and the programme it is part of is to develop excellent teachers who have the knowledge and skills to teach. The school-based and subject training delivered by South West Teacher Training and M-level PGCE elements are woven together to enable you to develop the necessary knowledge and skills to become a critically reflective, effective teacher in your specialist subject. The M-level Programme is taught via online keynote lectures, group and individual tutorials, supported by online self-study materials on our Virtual Learning Environment (VLE). This complements seminars and placement experience led by and delivered by SWTT, leading to QTS. Both elements of the taught programme support each other to enable you to succeed.

Specifically, through your M-level studies you will:

1. Develop critical understanding of educational theory, research, policy and practice in your subject
2. Be introduced to current knowledge in the field about pupils as learners in your subject
3. Develop your pedagogical knowledge, as appropriate to the age range and subject you are teaching
4. Develop your understanding of the design and sequencing of the school curriculum
5. Develop your understanding of the principles and practices of assessment in your subject
6. Develop your capacity to learn independently and apply this to your continuing professional development

Intended Learning Outcomes (ILOs)

ILO: Module-specific skills

On successfully completing the module you will be able to...

• 1. Identify and evaluate educational concepts and issues related to your specific field of study and engage in critical debate about current educational issues, drawing on evidence from theory, research and practice
• 2. Identify and justify solutions to teaching and learning problems relevant to the subject and phase in which you are working
• 3. Demonstrate development of academic and pedagogic knowledge relevant to the subject and phase you are teaching

ILO: Discipline-specific skills

On successfully completing the module you will be able to...

• 4. Critically evaluate the relevance of research and theory to practice
• 5. Synthesise relevant literature in support of an argument
• 6. Present evidence from practice and literature studies in an appropriate form
• 7. Use research evidence in support of an argument

ILO: Personal and key skills

On successfully completing the module you will be able to...

• 8. Express ideas and opinions, with confidence and clarity, to a variety of audiences for a variety of purposes
• 9. Competently use library and electronic resources including databases, websites and virtual learning environments to support learning.

Learning activities and teaching methods (given in hours of study time)

Details of learning activities and teaching methods

Formative assessment

Summative assessment (% of credit)

Details of summative assessment

Details of re-assessment (where required by referral or deferral)

Re-assessment notes

If your assignment is deemed to be a fail, you will be given feedback outlining what needs to be done to bring the assignment to a pass standard and one opportunity for resubmission will be allowed.  The resubmission will be capped at 50%.

You can choose to resubmit a failed assignment ‘in year’ (i.e. before the PGCE Assessment, Progression and Awarding Committee (APAC) in July or after the end of the course (normally towards the end of the summer vacation period).

If you choose the first option and gain a pass for your resubmission (and pass all other elements of the course, including South West Teacher Training confirming you have met the Teachers' Standards) you can be awarded the PGCE at the APAC in July.

If you choose the second option and subsequently gain a pass for your resubmission (and pass all other modules including South West Teacher Training confirming you have met the Teachers' Standards), you will be awarded the PGCE during the following Autumn term.

With either option, if after resubmitting you have still failed to gain a pass mark, you will be deemed to have failed the PGCE with no further opportunity for resubmission (QTS can still be gained through South West Teacher Training if you meet the Teachers' Standards within their timescale/criteria.

If you pass both Masters level modules  but South West Teacher Training confim you have not met the Teachers' Standards, you can leave the programme with a Postgraduate Certificate (PG Cert) in Professional Studies in Education.

Indicative learning resources - Basic reading

• Aubrey, K., & Riley, A. (2018). Understanding and using educational theories. SAGE.
• Bowyer, V. (2021). Debates in Primary Education. Routledge
• Pollard, A., & Daly, C. (2023). Reflective Teaching in Primary Schools. Bloomsbury Publishing.

Key words search

PGCE, SCITT, QTS, Qualified Teacher Status, Teaching, Primary, Education, Schools, Teacher, Teacher Training