Diploma of Higher Education in Primary Teaching and Learning: Standard pathway

Stage 1

There are two 60-credit compulsory modules at Stage 1.

You’ll start in October with the compulsory work-related module, Supporting learning in primary schools (E111)Supporting learning in primary schools::This Level 1 course is appropriate for teaching and classroom assistants (paid or voluntary) working alongside teachers in primary schools, or if you’re working in a special school, hospital educational unit, or pupil referral unit where primary-aged children follow the National Curriculum. You’ll cover a range of themes including: the study of children’s learning; inclusive education; play and creativity; and English, maths and science. You’ll acquire a good knowledge of primary education, learn to work productively with teachers as team colleagues, and develop your ability to support children’s learning effectively.undergraduate.qualification.pathways.W02-1,module,E111,,1. It will enable you to develop your study skills alongside extending your knowledge of primary education, and increase your understanding of how to support children’s learning effectively. You’ll also engage with a range of stimulating themes, including:

• children’s learning
• inclusive education
• play and creativity
• learning in English, maths and science
• the role of ICT
• home-school collaboration
• working collaboratively with teachers as team colleagues.

If you’re an experienced practitioner, it may be appropriate for you to begin with Supporting learning in primary schools: APEL route (EZL111)Supporting learning in primary schools: APEL route::This is the assessment-only route of Supporting learning in primary schools (E111), the first module of our qualifications in primary teaching and learning. It is a very demanding route, involving independent study without one-to-one tutorial support. Limited advice and support will be available through an online forum moderated by experienced study advisers. You should have well-established knowledge and practical competence, gained through substantial experience in working with primary-aged children in an appropriate setting. Your learning and prior experience will be assessed and certified through a portfolio of evidence, a 1500-word essay and an interview.undergraduate.qualification.pathways.W02-1,module,EZL111,,1, the APEL (accreditation of prior experiential learning) version that starts in February. It will enable you to demonstrate core subject and practice knowledge gained through your role and responsibilities, and show that you have the skills you need to study at this level. The rest of the qualification then follows the standard route.

You’ll then take a second compulsory module, Learning through enquiry in primary schools (E101)Learning through enquiry in primary schools::This work-based learning course is relevant to a wide range of primary school professionals who support children’s learning – teaching assistants, cover supervisors, learning mentors, volunteers and additional classroom staff. You will develop your skills as an enquirer and researcher in primary schools, extend your theoretical knowledge and reflect on your workplace practice. It builds on your previous study and professional development by returning to the themes and topics in Supporting learning in primary schools (E111).undergraduate.qualification.pathways.W02-1,module,E101,,1. Its innovative work-based approach will develop your skills in questioning, information gathering, evaluation and reflection – all of which are highly relevant to your work supporting children’s learning. Through a series of exciting mini-research projects, which are supported by readings, video and online activities, you’ll study themes such as:

• child protection
• creative practices
• technology
• school inclusion
• community involvement
• cross-curricular learning
• ethical dimensions of small-scale research
• professional practice and continuing professional development.

Stage 2

Stage 2 begins with a work-based module, Subject knowledge and professional practice in primary schools (E207)Subject knowledge and professional practice in primary schools::This online work-based course is for experienced teaching assistants or classroom assistants in a primary school or a foundation stage (3–5 years) unit (preschool or nursery school). You will further develop your knowledge, skills and understanding of supporting children’s learning in mathematics, language and literacy, and science and technology by developing your own knowledge in these subjects. You will examine the curriculum in your setting, how it is planned and carried out; explore the factors that affect children’s learning; and examine the role of subject knowledge in established curriculum frameworks.undergraduate.qualification.pathways.W02-1,module,E207,,1 (60 credits), designed to develop your knowledge, understanding and practice in four key areas of the primary curriculum: English, maths, science and ICT. You’ll reflect on and audit your own subject knowledge, and deepen and extend it through engaging with readings, audio-visual materials and interactive online activities. You’ll study this module online, providing you with exciting opportunities to work collaboratively with other students and tutors, and developing your ICT skills in a supportive environment.

Finally, you’ll choose one of three optional 60-credit modules giving you the opportunity to learn more about the diversity and complexity of children’s and young people’s lives and experiences. You’ll engage with others’ perspectives while reflecting on your own, and developing your professional practice. We recommend that you select the optional module most relevant to your career goals and/or intended degree progression.

• Childhood (E212)Childhood::What does it mean to be a child in today’s world? Do popular images of childhood match the reality of young people’s lives? How is childhood affected by poverty, ill-health and adversity? Do children have different rights from adults, and if so why? How are modern lifestyles and technologies changing children’s relationships and identities? What part do children play in shaping their childhood? Such questions are the starting point for this cross-disciplinary introduction to childhood and youth studies, covering the age range 0–18 and including audio-visual case studies from three contrasting parts of the world.undergraduate.qualification.pathways.W02-1,module,E212,,1
• Equality, participation and inclusion: learning from each other (E214)Equality, participation and inclusion: learning from each other::This course is for anyone interested in issues of access for children and young people in diverse social and educational contexts. It supports you in engaging with differing perspectives on equality, participation and inclusion, and in developing your own perspectives. You will address the dimensions of disability, disaffection and learning difficulty in the context of wider diversity across the breadth of childhood and youth services. It asks what constitutes good participatory and inclusive practice. A range of video case studies from early years to late teens, with an emphasis on education and learning, illustrate the key themes and issues.undergraduate.qualification.pathways.W02-1,module,E214,,1
• Working with children, young people and families (K218)Working with children, young people and families::Would you like to learn more about work with children, young people or families? This course is about the diversity and complexity of children and young people’s (0–18) lives. Taught primarily through online activities the course examines their experience of the places and spaces in which they live – family, community and a range of health, education and care services. You'll develop an understanding of contemporary debates and key skills relating to safeguarding, health and wellbeing, development, inequalities and disability, social policy, multi-agency working, social pedagogy, youth justice, working with parents, foster care, education, and play. You will examine practice approaches and values, policy, and legal and rights frameworks in the UK and elsewhere in Europe.undergraduate.qualification.pathways.W02-1,module,K218,,1.

If you have already completed some successful study at higher education level at another institution you may be able to transfer credit for this study and count it towards an Open University qualification. If you wish to apply to transfer credit you must do so as soon as possible, and before you register for your chosen qualification. If you are awarded credit for study completed elsewhere, you may find that you need to study fewer OU modules to complete your qualification with us.

Visit our Credit Transfer site for more information and details of how to apply for credit transfer.