ED1PSP1: Professional Studies and School Placement 1

Module code: ED1PSP1

Module provider: Institute of Education

Credits: 20

Level: 4

When you’ll be taught: Semester 1 / 2

Module convenor: Miss Cara Broadhurst , email: c.broadhurst@reading.ac.uk

Pre-requisite module(s):

Co-requisite module(s):

Pre-requisite or Co-requisite module(s):

Module(s) excluded:

Placement information: Micro placement

Academic year: 2025/6

Available to visiting students: No

Talis reading list: Yes

Last updated: 3 April 2025

Overview

Module aims and purpose

This module is concerned with the development of students as members of the teaching profession at the start of their journey towards achieving the national Teachers’ Standards for QTS. The university-based content aims to provide a basis for students to be successful on the school placement element of the module, where they will observe, explore and apply what they have learned. The module doesn’t include learning about any particular subject that primary school teachers are required to teach, rather it introduces knowledge, skills and pedagogies that primary school teachers use across the whole curriculum. It examines the role of the teacher in its widest sense, unpicking many elements of practice. The role of the student as a reflective practitioner underpins the whole module as students are required to critically review their own and others’ practice.    

The aims are therefore to:  

• Develop understanding of the concept of professionalism and what society and the national Teachers’ Standards expect of teachers.  
• Develop understanding of child development theory and how this relates to classroom practice.  
• Support students to be able to plan and deliver effective individual lessons.  
• Explore effective ways of managing pupil behaviour, with consideration for the principles these are based on.  
• Support students to become reflective practitioners with the ability to critique their own and others’ practice.  
• Ensure students are able to self-organise and manage workload relating to the classroom practice of a trainee teacher.  
• Develop understanding of the role of the teacher in teaching pro-actively for healthy personal development. 

Module learning outcomes

By the end of the module, it is expected that students will be able to:

1. Meet the Year 1 Assessment Descriptors for the five strands of our Initial Teacher Education (ITE) curriculum in the areas of:
   1. Strand A – Expectations and Behaviour
   2. Strand B – Pedagogy
   3. Strand C – Curriculum
   4. Strand D – Assessment
   5. Strand E – Professional Behaviours and Wellbeing

Module content

All five ITE strands are explored, although strands A, B and E are looked at in the greatest depth at this stage. The concept of ‘being a professional’ is discussed as students consider the responsibilities presented to teachers and the behaviour and attitudes they will be expected to embody. The stages of child development are explored and students relate this to learning theory and teaching pedagogy, building their skills for planning standalone lessons. Students will develop initial understanding of safeguarding. Students also develop strategies for managing behaviour and facilitating learning. The placement at an assigned primary school is designed to allow students to apply their learning in a real classroom context. Later in the module, the wider role of the teacher in taking responsibility for children’s wellbeing and personal development is also covered.

Students are expected to pay £3.00 per day towards the travel costs of reaching their placement school. The remainder of the costs (minus usual daily travel costs) can be claimed back from the university but only based on economy mileage or if standard class transport has been used and the cheapest ticket obtained. Students should expect to pay the cost ‘up front’ and claim back at the end of the placement.