All BEd students can join the Primary Science Enhancement Award scheme (PSEA). The PSEA, developed by the Primary Science Teaching Trust, gives student teachers the opportunity to increase their understanding and experience of teaching and learning in primary science. In the recent pilot it was found that students reported increased confidence to teach science, and a greater awareness of where to find support for this.
Gillian: We have a long history of providing teacher education. And one of the oldest institutes in the country. We work in partnership with a range of school partnerships offering school direct routes into teaching, both at primary and secondary level. A long history means that we have a very high reputation nationally and internationally for producing high quality teachers.
Bea: As a training teacher, it's really important to just be in the classroom and learn that way. Placement has to be a highlight, and I've been very fortunate with my placements that I've had a huge variety of placements. I've done a village school, a really big city school. Myself and a couple of my peers went to Germany for our third year placement. That definitely has to be a highlight to just be offered those kinds of things.
Chloe: And I chose the University because the fact of how small it is here. It wasn't like a massive university and you're just a number. It's actually because of the small class sizes.
Bea: I really like the fact that it has a really small community campus. And I wasn't going to be going to a big uni where none of my lecturers or tutors would know me.
Thomas: The lecturers are really helpful. They're always on hand if you need to ask anything or if you're having any problems with anything to do the course.
Maeve: Because they know you so well, they know your areas of development, which is really helpful, especially being on a practical course. And they can lead you in the right direction. So that's really good to know, that you can go to someone. They know you well enough, they feel comfortable to tell you what you need to work on.
Thomas: I think it's really helpful to work in a group of like-minded people who are really driven to get the best out of their teaching.
Chloe: I would say, come and visit for a start, because that's what really sold the university to me was seeing everything they have to offer here and then actually talking to lecturers and the students and just everyone who get to see what an amazing place and course you're actually on.
Marie: Currently I'm working as a class teacher in a year five class. I have been here since September. So my responsibilities range from the planning, the resourcing and assessment, everything that a teacher needs to do to make the classroom run really. With the School Direct program, where you're based in the schools and having the essays and assignments and things to do, it's only really setting you up for what life is like as a teacher. So although sometimes it's hard work, you think, well, actually it's really no different next year when I'm teacher, I feel like it really did set me up.