Foundation Degree in Primary Teaching and Learning
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Foundation Degree
- Code
- G02
- Level
- Undergraduate
- Made up of
- 240 credit points
Description
This foundation degree is designed to meet the needs of classroom assistants, Higher Level Teaching Assistants (HLTA) and other teaching assistants in primary schools who are seeking to extend their professional knowledge and expertise.
It is suitable for experienced teaching assistants and classroom assistants who support children’s learning (age range 4 to 11 years) and will develop the knowledge and skills required in this work. It will also prepare you to engage with further study, enquiry and practice where a knowledge of supporting learning is required.
The foundation degree includes a specialist vocational component which is underpinned by broad-based academic learning. You must currently be working in a primary school, supporting children’s learning, either as a teaching assistant or HLTA (in England and Wales only), classroom assistant or in a voluntary capacity. You will need to be able to demonstrate that you have at least one year's experience in this role. During your studies, you will need to be working directly with children in a primary school for a minimum of five hours a week in order to complete the work-related and work-based assignments in this foundation degree. Your school must provide confirmation of the number of hours you work; verify your role in the school; and agree to provide appropriate support your studies.
A range of assessment methods will be used including written assignments, end-of-course examinations (in some optional courses), presentations, evidence-based portfolios, and work-based project files.
This foundation degree is offered as the Diploma of Higher Education in Primary Teaching and Learning (E59) for students living in Scotland.
Planning your studies
You must start your studies with Supporting learning in primary schools (E111), followed by the second compulsory Level 1 work-based course (planned for first presentation in October 2010). This course builds on the key themes of the first course (E111) and asks you to reflect on them more deeply through carrying out workplace learning activities and enquiries.
Anyone working in a school will need to meet the ‘fit person’ criteria for doing so, as required for the setting and country in which they are working, including obtaining the necessary criminal record clearance from the Criminal Records Bureau (for England and Wales) or have passed a Disclosure Scotland or Enhanced Disclosure Certificate from Access NI (Northern Ireland). It is the responsibility of you and your employer to ensure that you meet these requirements, rather than The Open University. You should contact the relevant agency in your country for more information if you are in doubt about your eligibility.
There is a time limit for studying this foundation degree. The minimum study time to complete the foundation degree is two years and seven months, which would be the equivalent to full-time study and would require exceptional commitment to studying. You must obtain the required 240 points for this foundation degree, including any credit transfer, within either seven years of starting the first OU course or within seven years from completion of the study that is the basis of a credit transfer award, whichever is the earliest.
Career relevance and employability
This foundation degree is a specialist pathway within the Training Development Agency (TDA) Framework for Foundation Degrees for the Children’s Workforce (2008) and has been developed in association with schools and local authorities. Foundation degrees are well regarded in the primary education sector; they are at the same qualification level as the first two years of an honours degree. It is anticipated that this foundation degree will be included as a suitable award in the Children’s Workforce Qualifications list at level 4 and above (applicable in England only). If you are seeking Higher Level Teaching Assistant (HLTA) status (England and Wales only), studying courses within the foundation degree, and the foundation degree itself, will enable you to gather the necessary evidence.
The qualification may be helpful if you want to continue to study to degree level and if you are thinking about training to be an early years or primary teacher; your choice of optional course can be used to support this goal. If you are considering teaching as a career, you are strongly advised to check with your training provider about their entry policy for Initial Teacher Education (ITE) programmes, as requirements vary between different universities. Please note that The Open University does not offer initial teacher education in the primary age range. For more information see our booklet Becoming a Teacher which has been prepared to help those who are considering teaching as a career. For up-to-date information in Northern Ireland see the Department of Education website, in Wales the Teacher Training & Education in Wales website and in England the TDA website.
For planning your next career steps, visit the OU Careers Advisory Service.
Courses
For this 240-point foundation degree you require:
120 points from the following compulsory courses:
| Level 1 compulsory courses | Points | Next start |
|---|---|---|
|
60 | Oct 2010 |
| A 60-point work-based learning course on learning through enquiry in primary schools planned for first presentation in October 2010 |
And 60 points from the following compulsory course:
| Level 2 compulsory course | Points | Next start |
|---|---|---|
| A 60-point work-based learning course linked to the core curriculum subjects of primary education planned for first presentation in October 2011 |
And 60 points from the following optional courses:
| Level 2 optional courses | Points | Next start |
|---|---|---|
|
60 | Feb 2010 |
|
60 | Jan 2010 |
|
60 | Feb 2010 FINAL |
|
60 |
*Compulsory course if you wish to progress to the BA (Honours) Childhood and Youth Studies (B23).
Learning outcomes
The learning outcomes of this qualification are described in four areas:
- Knowledge and understanding
- Cognitive skills
- Practical and professional skills
- Key skills
Read more detailed information about the learning outcomes, and how they are acquired through teaching, learning and assessment methods.
Credit for previous study elsewhere
If you have already completed some successful study at higher education level at another institution we may be able to give you credit for this study that you can count towards this Open University qualification. You can find out more on our Credit Transfer site. If you make a successful claim for transferred credit it may affect your choice of courses so you are advised to investigate this option as soon as possible.
Credit transfer details for this qualification:
On completion
On successful completion of the required courses you will be awarded a Foundation Degree in Primary Teaching and Learning and will be entitled to use the letters FD (Open) after your name.
Regulations
As a student of The Open University, you should be aware of the content of the Award Regulations and the Student Regulations.
Award Regulations
Student Regulations
The Student Regulations (including the Code of Practice for Student Assessment and the Code of Practice for Student Discipline) are available on our Policy Documents for Students website.
How to register
To register for this qualification, read the description and check you meet any specific requirements (for example, some of our qualifications, require you to be working in a particular environment, or be sponsored by your employer). Then select the course you wish to study first and ensure it is suitable for you before following the registration procedure for that course.
About this page
An undergraduate qualification in Childhood and Youth and Education.
Study explained
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- - show how much study is required to complete a course or qualification. One credit point represents roughly 10 hours of study.
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- - indicates how difficult a course is. Undergraduate study starts at Level 1.
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- Study explained
- - all you need to know about studying with the OU.
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