TE0491 - Professional Studies

What will I learn on this module?

You will learn about the key issues, policies, agendas and legislation that impact upon the roles and responsibilities of the reflective teacher as you work towards your employment in education. You will explore professional practice in the following themes:
• Your professional expectations and responsibilities within the Teacher’s Standards (DfE, 2012)
• The needs of children with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities
• How to successfully manage behaviour
• The needs of children with English as an Additional Language
• Examine issues related to diversity and inclusion
• Examine issues of ensuring Safeguarding procedures with young children

How will I learn on this module?

You will learn through lectures, workshops, tutorials and independent learning. The professional tutorial system will support your development through the module. You will have different modes of communication, including but not exclusively, lectures, workshops, simulated practice and opportunities to debate ideas. There will be a strong emphasis on our widening partnership with professionals in schools. The lectures will cover policy, best practice and concepts that will enable you to learn and reflect on your professional responsibilities and tackle a series of guided exercises and discussions. You will work on these during tutorials and independently with the availability of Northumbria’s computer labs, which are fully equipped with the latest industry-standard software.

How will I be supported academically on this module?

Successful academic achievement requires a system of robust support and guidance to help you focus on your learning needs. In addition to the pastoral support you will receive, the tutors involved in delivering this module will provide academic guidance to ensure that you are able to confidently engage with the academic rigour of this module. This dialogue will be face to face in lectures, seminars or tutorials and is an essential aspect of the programme’s assessment for learning strategy. Extensive support is also accessible online as part of the University’s commitment to technology enhanced learning. This employs the use of the e-learning portal (Blackboard including Pebble+) and social networking and collaborative tools.

A central feature the academic support available to you is the service provided by the University Library. This 24/7 service caters for all your learning needs, has extensive access to electronic texts and tutorials that will directly support the development of academic skills aimed at improving your critical thinking and analytical writing.

What will I be expected to read on this module?

All modules at Northumbria include a range of reading materials that students are expected to engage with. Online reading lists (provided after enrolment) give you access to your reading material for your modules. The Library works in partnership with your module tutors to ensure you have access to the material that you need.

What will I be expected to achieve?

Knowledge & Understanding:
1. Develop and consider your understanding of the values that underpin the role of the teacher as a professional and in society.
2.. Reflect upon and review your own learning in relation to a range of theories and frameworks and consider the relationship between these in professional contexts for the initial development of appropriate pedagogy across the relevant age phase(s).
Intellectual / Professional skills & abilities:
3. Reflect upon a range of key educational issues and professional practice strategies to enable you to move towards achieving QTS. Relate this to the professional body requirements and the appropriate government legislation, policies, initiatives and agendas, setting appropriate targets for your own development.
4.
Communicate your ideas effectively , via a written assignment and demonstrate correct use of all aspects of written Standard English, e.g., spelling, punctuation and grammar .
Personal Values Attributes (Global / Cultural awareness, Ethics, Curiosity) (PVA):
5. Develop your own identity as a member of a professional community and relate this to the professional body requirements and the appropriate government legislation, policies, initiatives and agendas, setting appropriate targets for your own development.


Due to the professional nature of the programme and the external regulatory body for teachers, all the module level objectives above also contribute directly to your ability to: Move towards achieving QTS, including an (ICT based) professional portfolio.

How will I be assessed?

Summative Assessment:
The assessment will be a final written assignment of 1500 words. You will choose one aspect of the Core Content Framework (DfE, 2019) and you will demonstrate your ability to investigate and analyse problems, reflect on academic reading, Government policies and current practice – including signposting good performance regarding your own development within this chosen area.


Your tutors will be looking for, and developing, your ability to investigate and analyse educational issues rrelating to achieving QTS. High quality formative feedback and reflections within tutorials and following presentations will encourage interaction and dialogue which will contribute to the assessment of your learning and enable you to close the gap between and current and desired performance.
The summative assessment will provide feedback upon your ability to undergo academic study in one specific area of the Core Content Framework (DfE, 2019). Feedback will contribute to your developing electronic portfolio, ILDP, with a reflection on your learning and signposting further learning targets.

Pre-requisite(s)

None

Co-requisite(s)

• Educational Research & Enquiry 1
• Educational Placements 1
• Curriculum Studies 1

Module abstract

We have designed Professional Studies to introduce you to the values and behaviours that underpin the role of the teacher as a professional and in society. You will consider, reflect upon and research exciting issues within educational policy and how this translates into teaching and learning in schools. You will review your own learning in relation to a range of theories and frameworks in relation to learning, teaching, thinking and creativity, evaluating your own attitudes, challenge your own assumptions and appraise your own skills and understanding in order to develop a range of strategies and to reflect on your emerging pedagogy. You will crystalise your reflections and be supported in developing your professional identity as a member of a professional community and relate this to the professional body requirements and the appropriate government legislation, policies, initiatives and agendas, setting appropriate targets for your own development as you work towards a written assignment on an aspect of professional studies, related to achieving Qualified Teacher Status (QTS).

Course info

UCAS Code X120

Credits 20

Level of Study Undergraduate

Mode of Study 3 years Full Time

Department Social Work, Education and Community Wellbeing

Location Coach Lane Campus, Northumbria University

City Newcastle

Start September 2025

Fee Information

Module Information

All information is accurate at the time of sharing. 

Full time Courses are primarily delivered via on-campus face to face learning but could include elements of online learning. Most courses run as planned and as promoted on our website and via our marketing materials, but if there are any substantial changes (as determined by the Competition and Markets Authority) to a course or there is the potential that course may be withdrawn, we will notify all affected applicants as soon as possible with advice and guidance regarding their options. It is also important to be aware that optional modules listed on course pages may be subject to change depending on uptake numbers each year.  

Contact time is subject to increase or decrease in line with possible restrictions imposed by the government or the University in the interest of maintaining the health and safety and wellbeing of students, staff, and visitors if this is deemed necessary in future.

 

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