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What makes Primary teaching at Worcester special?

Inspire the future generation of learners by training to become a primary school teacher at the University of Worcester, rated “Outstanding” by Ofsted in 2023. We offer an exciting and inclusive environment in which you will learn how to effectively teach children during a crucial and formative stage of their development. This course empowers trainee primary teachers to become successful and creative practitioners gaining Qualified Teacher Status (QTS) leading to excellent career opportunities after graduation.

At Worcester, you will gain valuable theoretical knowledge through sessions taught on campus as well as practical skills in teaching, managing behaviour, and planning, through primary school placements that you will attend throughout the year. This combination of taught sessions on campus and experiences on school placement prepares you for a smooth transition into a teaching career once you qualify as a primary school teacher.

The University’s ever expanding and dynamic partnership with primary schools mean we currently work with around 260 schools across the West Midlands.

We are proud that Ofsted (March, 2023) rated our course as "Outstanding" in training primary teachers.

The University of Worcester’s education of future primary and secondary teachers has been given the highest possible Ofsted grade.

Inspectors stated that, along with its partners, the University creates “a learning community that places children at the heart of everyone’s endeavours”. Read our full news story about this here.

Overview

Overview

Key features

  • The Primary initial teacher education programme is designed to empower you to become a confident and competent qualified primary school teacher
  • Teaching experience in primary schools plus additional days which focus on specific teaching skills
  • You can either follow the Early Years (Ages 3-7) route or the Later Years (Ages 5-11) route
  • The opportunity to carry out placements in a variety of schools to provide a rich and balanced experienced across a broad range of environments
  • 'Developing Self' module strand ensures mental health and wellbeing sit at the heart of our programme and provide opportunities for your personal and professional development
  • Qualified Teacher Status (QTS) on successful completion of the course
  • Opportunities to work with innovative schools to enhance professional practice
  • Find out what we are up to on our Instagram and X (Formerly known as Twitter)
  • To find about Summer Schools abroad, please contact the course team
Ofsted Outstanding logo

Ofsted has rated us as "Outstanding" in training Primary and Secondary Teachers 2023.

The University of Worcester’s education of future primary and secondary teachers has been given the highest possible grade with inspectors stating that, along with its partners, the University creates “a learning community that places children at the heart of everyone’s endeavours”.  

Read our full news story

Register your interest

Enter your details below and we will keep you up to date with useful information about studying at the University of Worcester.


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Entry requirements

Entry requirements

Entry requirements

  • Our UCAS points tariff is 112, however we will also consider relevant experience working with children.
  • All entrants have achieved a standard equivalent to a grade 4 (formerly grade C) in the GCSE examinations in English Language or English Literature, Mathematics and Science (applicants must have these qualifications by the start of the course). Alternatively, we offer an equivalency test if you don’t have the required GCSE grade to apply for our courses. Trainees who begin courses before providing evidence of the required GCSE standard (or equivalent) will not be eligible for financial incentives, such as bursaries or grants until they achieve the required standard.
  • T Levels, Cache Diplomas, and B-Tech qualifications may be used to meet the entry tariff requirements for this course. Find out more about using these qualifications towards UCAS tariff points here.

Additional requirements

  • An Enhanced DBS check. You will be sent details of how to apply for your DBS in the summer term. You will need to pay for this. You may already be part of the DBS update service. Find out about the update service here. As part of the DBS process, you will be checked against the Children’s Barred List.
  • A check against the Prohibition List.
  • If you have lived, studied or worked overseas for three months or more in the last five years a Certificate of Good Conduct from the country of residence will be required. Further information and guidance associated with additional costs are available from the Home Office.
  • A range of other safeguarding checks is undertaken.
  • An online occupational health check. All those on a teacher training programme must be certified as meeting national requirements for physical and mental fitness to teach, as set by the Department for Education.
  • International students: IELTS 6.5 or equivalent

Primary Teaching Interviews

Shortlisted applicants will be invited to interview with interviews currently taking place in person on campus or online.

To help you prepare for your interview, you can expect questions covering the following:

The role of being a teacher - both the positives and the challenges

Your ability to identify the skills and qualities a teacher requires including key English and Maths skills

Your understanding of current issues in education and the wider role of a teacher

Your knowledge of professionalism and how teachers demonstrate this

How schools and teachers keep children safe

In addition, we are looking for enthusiasm, commitment and potential. Clear communication skills are integral to this which you will have an opportunity to demonstrate throughout the interview.

A day in the life of a Primary School Teacher

From 2024/25, Intensive Training and Practice (ITaP) will be integrated within the course programme. ITaP allows trainees to explore granular aspects of the core content framework and focus on key skills that they will need to be effective teachers. You will be taught about the ITaP focus area, explore what this looks like in practice, engage in deliberate practice at university, before exploring the concept in school and engaging in deliberate practice within the school environment.

“The curriculum in all phases gives trainees a thorough grounding in how to cater for pupils with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND) and those who speak English as an additional language.”

Ofsted 2023

Course content

Course content

Our courses are informed by research and current developments in the discipline and feedback from students, external examiners and employers. Modules do therefore change periodically in the interests of keeping the course relevant and reflecting best practice. The most up-to-date information will be available to you once you have accepted a place and registered for the course. 

Year 1

Mandatory modules

  • Professional Practice in Primary Teaching –Professionalism and Behaviour Management
  • Teachers as researchers
  • Developing self
  • Teaching and Learning: core subjects and PE
  • Teaching and Learning: foundation subjects   
  • School Experience 1: building phase

Placements*

  • Autumn term: block placement
  • Summer term: block placement 

 

* Placement patterns are subject to change

Year 2

Mandatory modules

  • Professional Practice in Primary Teaching: Considering Inclusive Practice 
  • Teachers as Researchers: Contemporary Issues
  • Developing Self and Experiences
  • Teaching and Learning: Core Subjects and PE - Planning, Progression, Assessment 
  • Teaching and Learning: Foundation Subjects -Planning, Progression, Assessment
  • School Experience 2: enriching phase

Placements 

  • Autumn term: block placement
  • Summer term: block placement (SEND option)

Year 3

Mandatory modules

  • Professional Practice in Primary Teaching –Preparation for Transition into Early Career Teaching
  • Teachers as Researchers -Dissertation 
  • Developing Self: Experiences and Practice 
  • Teaching and Learning: Core Subjects and PE –Contemporary Issues 
  • Teaching and Learning: Foundation Subjects - Diversity and Inclusion

Optional Module

  • School Experience 3: thriving phase and Meeting the Teachers’ standards

Students are required to have met the Teachers’ standards (School Experience) by the end of their training period in order to be recommended for Qualified Teacher Status (QTS). The optional module of School Experience 3 must be selected and completed successfully for students to be recommended for QTS.

Placements 

  • Spring term: block placement
    + Days for research

"The university is an exciting and inspiring place for trainee primary teachers to study. "

Ofsted 2023

Di Lewis

Di Lewis

The PITE course is special because it allows students to use their knowledge from university sessions in experiences in school and vice versa. The tutors are very friendly and supportive, both academically and personally.

The highlight of the course for me has been the enhancement opportunities, including the behaviour conference in first year and the prison education and CAMHS sessions in second year.

After the course, I aim to get a job in a key stage 2 class to complete my ECT years. After this I would like to take on art or languages subject lead. In the future, I would like to gain my Master's degree and come back to teach on the PITE course.

Becky Redfern in Great Britain attire holding a medal

Becky Redfern

Paralympian swimmer Becky Redfern declined the chance to celebrate her sporting success at Buckingham Palace to attend Graduation 2022.

Since finishing her degree, the 22-year-old, of Droitwich, spent the last two terms teaching in a local school and has stayed there as a supply teacher for this year. “Starting my time at Worcester was very daunting, especially with my visual impairment,” she said. “However, the first few weeks were made a lot easier with the guidance from older students in terms of finding our way around and the additional support from the Disability and Dyslexia Services. Despite packing a lot into my four years at Worcester – two World Championships, Covid, having a baby, winning silver at the Tokyo Paralympics – I thoroughly enjoyed my time at uni and am very grateful for all of the support and flexibility that the University gave me with time away training and competing.”

Primary Initial Teacher Education (with QTS) graduate Isabelle Cooke

Isabelle Cooke

Isabelle has graduated with a First Class honours degree in Primary Initial Teacher Education with QTS

“My dream since I was in primary school myself was to become a primary school teacher. So to be graded as an ‘outstanding’ primary teacher at the end of my final teaching placement and to be awarded a First Class Honours, was simply, a dream come true,” said Isabelle.

Isabelle has secured a job at the school at which she took her final teaching placement and will be teaching a Reception class.

 

"Trainees are capable and confident practitioners by the time they complete their courses."

Ofsted 2023

Teaching and assessment

Teaching and assessment

The University places emphasis on enabling students to develop the independent learning capabilities that will equip you for lifelong learning and future employment, as well as academic achievement. A mixture of independent study, teaching and academic support through the personal academic tutoring system enables you to reflect on progress. You will build up a profile of skills, achievements and experiences that will enable you to flourish and be successful.               

Diagram showing the UW framework in pictorial form this is also described entirely in the accompanying text

Teaching

You are taught through a combination of interactive seminars, workshops and lectures. The seminars will enable you to link educational theory to practice through reflection and evaluation. You will have seminars in all National Curriculum subjects to enable you to experience the full range of educational provision in primary schools. Practical subjects will be taught in specialist spaces such as DT rooms, gymnasiums and dance studios.

You will have the opportunity to plan and deliver lessons in seminars, before using this experience on placement to plan and deliver in the classroom.

Following placement, your seminars will give you opportunities to discuss your teaching – what went well and what changes you make in the future. Workshops delivered by Head Teachers and teachers in school will complement your seminars to ensure you are constantly up to date with current practice in the classroom. In addition, meetings with your Personal Academic Tutor are scheduled on at least 4 occasions in each year of your course.

You will also undertake placements in each year of study matched to your pathway choice (3-7 or 5-11 year olds). You will receive support whilst in school from trained mentors and class teachers, as well as a tutor from University who will observe you teach and give instant feedback to ensure you continue to improve through reflective practice.

Contact time

In a typical week, a trainee will have around 20 contact hours of teaching. The precise contact hours will depend on the modules being undertaken. In your third year there is less contact time in the final term, this is due to placement or the opportunity for independent study.

Typically, contact hours will be structured around:

  • 16 hours of seminar sessions on campus
  • 2-4 hours whole cohort sessions on campus
  • Individual tutorial sessions for academic progress and assignment support

Independent self-study

In addition to the contact time, as part of the course you are expected to undertake around 36 hours of personal self-study per week. Typically, this will involve pre and post reading for each of your seminars or large group lectures, completion of subject audits, working on group activities or presentations, undertaking research in the library and online, preparing for coursework assignments and /or placement.

A range of excellent learning facilities, including the Hive and library resources, Blackboard (our virtual learning environment) and extensive learning resources, support independent learning.

Teaching staff

You will be taught by a team whose expertise and knowledge are closely matched to the content of the modules on the course. The team includes senior academics, professional practitioners with school experience and senior leaders from school.

Teaching is based on research and consultancy, and many of our academics have a higher education teaching qualification or are Fellows or Senior Fellows of the Higher Education Academy. You can learn more about the staff by visiting our staff profiles.

Assessment

The course provides opportunities to assess understanding and learning, both formatively and summatively, across the programme. Each module has one or more formal or ‘summative’ assessments which are graded and count towards the overall module grade.

Assessment methods may typically include:

Level 4:

Formal formative assessments will include presentations and posters. Formal summative assessments will take the form of written assignments, individual presentations and/or poster presentations.

Level 5:

Formal formative assessments will include presentations, critical debates, and/or creation of teaching resource packs. Formal summative assessments will take the form of an individual presentations with justification, a formal critical debate/presentation, written essays, poster presentations and/or an exhibition.

Level 6:

Formal formative assessments will include presentations and/or professional discussions. Formal summative assessment will take the form of written assignments, presentations and a dissertation (independent study).

On school experience, you are formatively assessed against our University of Worcester Curriculum. You will work with school colleagues alongside University tutors to complete reflections and activities in school to support your formative assessment. This will build towards your assessment against the Teachers’ Standards at the end of your course.

Throughout your course, you will be supported to prepare for your transition into your early career teacher years through the Career Entry Profile, as part of your Continuing Professional Development.

Feedback

You will receive feedback on formal assessments, presented as written assignments. Feedback supports learning and you are encouraged to discuss all feedback with personal academic tutors and module tutors as appropriate.

We aim to provide you with feedback on formal assessments within 20 working days of the submission date.

Programme specification

For comprehensive details on the aims and intended learning outcomes of the course, and the means by which these are achieved through learning, teaching and assessment, please download the latest programme specification document.


Careers

Careers

Our Early Career Teachers (ECTs) have one of the highest employment rates of all graduates. There are excellent employment opportunities and good promotion prospects alongside job security. At the end of the course you will be advised about suitable in-service courses to follow in your teaching career, as part of your continuing professional development.

You will be invited to enrol on the Masters programme after your successful completion of the BA (Hons).

Our graduates have gone on to secure employment in a variety of settings in many roles including leadership teams, subject leads, international posts and consultants.   

Two students are walking next to each other and smiling

Careers and Employability

Our Graduates pursue exciting and diverse careers in a wide variety of employment sectors.

Find out how we can support you to achieve your potential
Costs

Fees and funding

Full-time tuition fees

UK and EU students

The standard fee for full-time home and EU undergraduate students enrolling on BA/BSc/LLB degrees and FdA/FdSc degrees in the 2024/25 academic year is £9,250 per year.

For more details, please visit our course fees page.

International students

The standard tuition fee for full-time international students enrolling on BA/BSc/LLB degrees and FdA/FdSc degrees in the 2024/25 academic year is £16,200 per year.

For more details, please visit our course fees page.

Additional costs

Every course has day-to-day costs for essential books, stationery, printing and photocopying.

Travel costs for placements vary depending on the location of schools and your mode of transport, sometimes these may be reclaimed depending on your individual circumstances.

The DfE requires all trainee teachers to obtain an Enhanced Disclosure & Barring Service (DBS) check, which you will need to pay for.

If you have lived overseas for three months or more in the last five years a Certificate of Good Conduct from the country of residence will be required. More information and guidance on costs are available from the Home Office. You will also be subject to the usual prohibition list and criminal record checks.

You will need clothing suitable to be worn in a school setting and access to a laptop with reliable internet access.

Accommodation

Finding the right accommodation is paramount to your university experience. Our halls of residence are home to friendly student communities, making them great places to live and study.

We have over 1,000 rooms across our range of student halls. With rooms to suit every budget and need, from our 'Chestnut Halls' at £131 per week to 'Oak Halls' at £221 per week (2024/25 prices).

For full details visit our accommodation page.

How to apply

How to apply

Applying through UCAS

Primary - Early Years (3-7 years) BA (Hons) (Single Honours) X121 

Primary - Later Years (5-11 years) BA (Hons) (Single Honours) X122

UCAS is the central organisation through which applications are processed for entry onto full-time undergraduate courses in Higher Education in the UK.

Read our How to apply pages for more information on applying and to find out what happens to your application. 

Primary Teaching - Early years (3-7 years) - X121

Apply via UCAS

Primary Teaching - Later years (5-11 years) - X122

Apply via UCAS

Get in touch

If you have any questions, please get in touch. We're here to help you every step of the way.

Caroline Thomas Meredith

Course leader