The course combines academic study and practical teaching experience at every level. These two sides of the degree feed into each other as you learn, with the knowledge and theory you gain on campus informing your teaching practice on school placements. Your university-based study will cover both the primary curriculum, building your subject knowledge and pedagogy in preparation for placement, and professional studies modules which give you the skills and understanding to ensure all children make progress in their learning. You will have opportunities to personalise your course choosing either the 3-7 or 5-11 route. These two programmes study some modules together but others separately, giving you specialist knowledge for the age group you will work with. In your final year you choose a further specialism selecting a module from a range of options. You will also design, plan and carry out a research project with a focus of your choosing.The key aim of the Primary Education programme is to deliver a high quality current and relevant programme of training and education that equips you with the professional knowledge, understanding, skills and attributes that you need to become highly effective teachers (and leaders) with both a strong subject and wider professional identity. To support this, you will follow an ambitious curriculum that is underpinned by the Initial Teacher Training Core Content Framework and York St John Partnership five key themes, that has been designed to integrate theory and practice. You will also undertake six Intensive Training and Practice (ITAPs) opportunities where you will focus on specific areas of the curriculum and receive feedback on your practice. The combination of experienced university, school based and other external colleagues working in partnership, makes a powerful and inspiring teaching team.
• You will be supported throughout the programme to develop your subject knowledge and understanding of current educational policy and initiatives
• You will be encouraged to critically reflect on educational theory into practice to support development of pedagogy
• Academic assignments are designed to support your developing practice
• Throughout the programme there is strong support for you by both university and school-based staff and you also will benefit from the full range of university services (e.g. academic support, wellbeing services).Our most recent Ofsted report (2022) highlighted that York St John trainees, ‘are well prepared for a career in teaching’.

Assessed school placements, one per year, provide structured opportunities to observe experienced teachers and other professionals, and support you in progressively building your confidence towards independent teaching. You will gradually take on more responsibility as you progress through the course until you are ready to lead a class of your own and you will get involved in all aspects of school life while you are on placement.