BA in Primary Education with Mathematics (Full Time)  BA in Primary Education with Mathematics (Full Time) Manchester Metropolitan University ../webroot/files/Institutions/cover_photo/1533818118Manchester-Metropolitan-University.jpg

When you’re at university, you’ll have a mix of lectures, seminars, one-to-one tutorials, practical skills sessions and workshops. In taught sessions, you’ll learn about a variety of strategies to challenge and engage learners, discussing ideas with your peers to help you learn.

Our sessions tend to be very practical, with hands-on workshops or you may be asked to present your thinking to others or deliver a ‘miniteach’ session, where you can plan a small input like you would in a school. This allows you to practice and receive feedback on techniques you’ll use in the classroom.

You’ll spend a minimum of 120 days of your three-year course on placements in a variety of primary schools. Starting placements in your first year of study and over the three years, you’ll gain experience in teaching every key stage across ages 3-11 years, so that you can teach any year group when you graduate.

Year 1

In your first year, you’ll study the same curriculum as students on our BA (Hons) Primary Education course. This is so that you’re able to teach the full primary school curriculum.

You’ll learn how to teach a variety of subjects in children’s education (including English and science), explore how your personal experiences shape who you become as a teacher, and develop skills in planning and delivering lessons. And you’ll go on your first block placement where you’ll plan, assess and teach a class. 

We know that going on a placement for the first time can be daunting. So, in your first year we try to allocate your placement with other students from your course depending on the location of the school. Together, you’ll plan lessons, teach in the same class, and observe each other. It’s a great way to develop your skills – and it builds your confidence for your individual placements in Year 3.

Year 2

In years two and three, you’ll take specialist units in maths (two in your second year, two in your third year). These mathematics units cover two intertwining strands:

• Personal subject knowledge and understanding of mathematics (studying primary school mathematics, such as the origin of maths and how mathematical concepts interconnect)
   
• Teaching, learning and assessment in primary mathematics (maths subject knowledge, usually including collaborative experiences in school, such as lessons)

You’ll normally have two placements. For the first, you’ll support readers in Key Stage 3 for one day a week over a full half-term. For the second, you’ll take on the role of a class teacher in a ten-week assessed block placement

Year 3

In each year, one of the specialist maths units will develop your maths subject knowledge, and the other will focus on helping you to become a leader in mathematics. When you’ve completed these four units, you’ll have the skills to support colleagues in teaching maths and also lead the maths education in your school.

In your final year, there is also a ten-week assessed block placement where you will be expected to be the class teacher, planning, teaching and assessing your children’s achievements, in addition to supporting the school in the provision of additional activities to support children’s learning.