Train to become a confident primary school teacher within three years.
(NSS, 2020)
Three A-levels at grades BBC or above.
Or BTEC triple grades DMM or above.
Or Access 30-42 D/M with min 18D.
And English Language, Mathematics and Science at grade 4 or grade C or above.
This versatile and dynamic primary education degree with Qualified Teacher Status (QTS) is the ideal preparation for a successful and rewarding career in primary teaching, enabling you to embark on your teaching career straight after finishing your studies. Plymouth Marjon University is praised by Ofsted and the National Student Survey for providing a comprehensive and enriching teacher training programme. Building on long established partnerships with a diverse range of schools all students have ample opportunities to learn with experienced practitioners. From the start of the course students work in a range of schools gradually building up confidence and expertise.
This carefully structured course will provide you with the skills and subject knowledge required to teach all the National Curriculum subjects through working with experienced and passionate tutors in interactive and practical teaching sessions. Along with these subject studies, you’ll develop a thorough grounding in all the major skills and issues of education including special educational needs and disabilities, behaviour management, setting high expectations and identifying pupil progress, planning and assessment, managing the teaching and learning of a classroom team, child development and learning through play.
You’ll also be given the chance to select a specialism curriculum area in years two and three and choose a focus for your final-year research dissertation. The comprehensive primary programme ensures you are well-equipped to teach across the curriculum, but also offer additional skills in a chosen area, thereby enhancing your employability.
By combining academic study and practical experience in a range of placement settings in the South West and East London, you are fully prepared to embark on your NQT year. Opportunities also include working in special schools, outdoor centres and other educational settings or leading specific projects with children and young people from a range of backgrounds.
Long established and highly regarded Teacher Training provider locally, nationally and internationally.
Diverse range of placement schools from small rural to large urban including opportunities in East London, to prepare you to teach in any type of school.
All national curriculum subjects covered by specialist tutors delivered in our specialist primary classrooms.
High quality, personal support in schools and on campus.
97% student satisfaction (NSS 2020).
High quality training and outcomes.
“I really enjoy how the course is a combination of placement and in-university sessions, enabling me to make connections between what is being done in schools and the reasoning behind it. Seminars and lectures provide practical and engaging experiences such as taking learning outside and carrying out activities that the children would do. The lecturers provide clear instructions, feedback and high levels of support and school placements have helped me to develop my confidence in the classroom.”
“The placements on the course are great and the lecturers work hard to ensure that placements are varied and that we experience each key stage. They are really supportive and encourage you to say yes to everything; this has made me more confident, both in and out of school. I was fortunate enough to complete my 2nd year placement in London which was fantastic. I have made some amazing like-minded friends on the course, enjoyed the small teaching groups and the university is really friendly.”
“The support and knowledge you receive from lecturers on this course couldn’t be better, they push you to be the best you can be and won’t let you settle for any less. This course has supported my understanding of how to write academically which in the future will help me with job applications. My confidence has grown so much since I began this course. I now feel capable of achieving so much more than I did before I started, and that is because of the fantastic support I have received.”
Should all lessons be fun?
How would you welcome a refugee child into your class?
What is the difference between composition and decomposition?
Would you class a left-hander as a special needs child?
Are parents a help or hindrance in education?
What are the differences between Piaget, Bruner and Vygotsky’s theories of learning?
“ I have been very impressed with the depth of knowledge and understanding shown by the students. They are privileged to have such dedicated and hardworking staff who clearly enjoy working together to produce the very best outcomes. It is apparent that the Marjon BEd student is immersed in a wealth of high quality opportunities and experiences to prepare them for their future role in teaching. ”
On completion you will be able to teach in a Primary or Special school as a Newly Qualified Teacher (NQT). Graduates from this course have progressed quickly into specialist or leadership positions in a wide range of schools and locations. Ofsted praised the University’s ‘effective use of local diversity and wider links which ensures trainees have breadth and variety in their training, so making them highly employable’ (Ofsted, 2014). Over 90% of our trainees go on to secure teaching posts locally, nationally or abroad which is above the national rate. Others go on to further postgraduate study or research posts within Higher Education. Many have gone onto leadership and management positions in schools.
“I work with schools to guide students through key skills, like writing CVs. I build relationships with individuals to discover their passions and we work together to research courses, apprenticeships and jobs. It is an amazing feeling knowing you’re helping someone shape their future. Marjon made me believe I could make a positive change. The BEd taught me valuable skills that I can transfer to many working situations and the staff were hugely supportive and helped me gain confidence.”
Programme Coordinator (Educating Differently) for Real Ideas Organisation
“Having the most amazing lecturers at uni has allowed me to have knowledge of most the things that happen within school, including SEN children, being observed and advice from lecturers on how to deal with things. University has taught me a lot and I cannot pin point all of the things. It taught me the importance of independence and this allowed me to move out and get a job in the new part of the country, which I would never have been brave enough to do if I didn’t go to uni.”
Megan is a class teacher in a primary school
“The range of subject knowledge sessions was fantastic and really boosted my confidence in teaching a range of subjects. The mathematics specialism module gave me the insight and tools to consider developing my career as a specialist and possibly one day as a subject leader. The lecturers offered support throughout this course, scaffolding our development both academically and as a reflective thinker. This will greatly impact upon my practice as a teacher and as a member of a team in school.”
Katie is a class teacher in a primary school
“ The first year is a great overview into life as a student teacher. We learnt about child development, phonics, reading and comprehension, building a strong foundation to help us in school. In our second year we had more placement experience and learnt how to manage classrooms. There’s a lot of self-reflection and improving the knowledge you have to educate children. The final year is a 10-week placement along with the dissertation.”
Fees UK students: £9,250 per annum
Fees for International students: £12,000 per annum
Sessions are delivered in our specialist primary class rooms, often in small group workshops. Sessions are practical and interactive to mirror primary school scenarios. You will also have lectures, seminars, tutorials, experiences in schools and in outdoor locations, both on and off-site.
By coursework only through a range of creative assignments including portfolios, presentations, designing and making resources and written assignments. Placement assessment is carried out by school mentors and university tutors against the Teachers’ Standards.
MarkAndrew is a Senior Lecturer in Primary Education and teaches across the programme, specialising in professional studies, Art & Design and Religious Education. He works closely with final year trainees on the dissertation module. The Primary Education team includes ex-headteachers, senior managers, advisory staff and subject experts.
Caroline teaches aspects of the course related to how children learn and leads on Design & Technology teaching.
Sally is a Senior Lecturer in Primary Education and teaches across the programme, specialising in English and professional studies. She works closely with primary schools to support the mentoring of trainee teachers. She is responsible for Admissions of BEd Primary Education students.
Alison is a 'Specialist Leader in Education' and former Head Teacher. She teaches science and professional studies and has a PG Cert in coaching and mentoring.
Kate specialises in Special Educational Needs and Disability. She is a Qualified Teacher of the Vision Impaired.
Tara specialises in teaching primary mathematics and is also currently involved with an international project about making maths more accessible to primary aged children and their parents.
Clare teaches professional studies and her specialised subject is English. Clare is the Year 2 lead for the BEd Primary Programmes and works extensively with schools on supporting trainee placements and mentoring.
Hannah Wood studied Applied Sports Science & Coaching (with ICT), then took a PGCE in Secondary Physical Education and a Masters in Education (all at Marjon). She then taught for ten years and now teaches at Marjon, mostly working with trainee PE teachers. One of her main research interests is in mentor and mentee relationships; expectations, roles and responsibilities of each; a passion that she brings to the course recognising the often informal mentoring role that PE teachers particularly can play in young people’s lives.