TE6690 - Curriculum Studies

What will I learn on this module?

This module will support your ability to critically reflect upon how to raise achievement and have high expectations of pupils’ learning. You will autonomously develop your subject knowledge, skills and understanding in order to develop subject learning for their pupils that inspires and motivates pupils to learn and progress all areas of the age phase or subject in which you are training.
You will learn about the key Government priorities, legislation and reports which influence current practice in your age phase or across the education system as a whole and how that shapes the regional and national education agendas. You will be provided with an international perspective to help shape your wider understanding of the role of education. By the end of the module you will have developed your own emerging philosophy of schools, understand their varying contexts and Government priorities.

How will I learn on this module?

During your University days, you will be actively engaged in critical and analytical debates about current educational policy and the implications for your own professional practice, learning and emerging philosophy of education. You will be taught through lectures, seminars and debates in University, led by academic staff and through professional dialogue with and observation of school mentors. You will be required to prepare for the university days through engaging in some pre-lecture reading tasks. This combination of theory and school based observation and practice will have a significant impact upon your abilities as a reflective classroom practitioner.

How will I be supported academically on this module?

You will be well supported through lectures and seminars to develop your criticality of the topics within this module. You will be provided with detailed guidance on your assignment and signposted to some of the key reading to support your thinking. You will be allocated an academic guidance tutor who will support you throughout the year through tutorial sessions and 1-1 guidance as required. All key reading resources which will be needed for taught sessions will be provided through the Elp. 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 and has extensive access to electronic texts and tutorials that will also support your learning in this module. As much of the time is spent in school, the electronic access will be of particular benefit to you.

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.you will develop an understanding of recent and relevant learning theories and their impact upon teaching and learning

2.You will learn to reflect upon the underpinning ideologies, philosophies and perspectives of education and how these impact upon education;

Intellectual / Professional skills & abilities:
1.you will apply your knowledge to effectively develop pupils’ knowledge, skills and understanding, giving pupils educational experiences which are appropriate, creative and empowering;

2.You will learn to demonstrate clear analysis of role of the teacher and the professional role of teaching, relating these to contemporary national and international debates;

Personal Values Attributes
(Global / Cultural awareness, Ethics, Curiosity) (PVA): •

1.You will develop and model the highest professional standards in behaviour, attitudes, values and relationships with pupils;
2.You will develop an understanding of the wider learning experience, and progression across the Key Stages and subjects for which you are training;
3.You will gain a perspective on the factors that affect learning, including pupils’ social, cultural, linguistic, religious, and ethnic backgrounds, gender, and the additional educational needs which they may have

How will I be assessed?

Formative assessment:

You will receive formative feedback through tutorial sessions with both school based subject mentors and university tutors as you work on your evaluation of the theories and their impact on your practice and pupil learning.


Summative assessment

The summative assessment will be a 15 minute presentation on how you have been informed by current and relevant educational theory to develop and lead a targeted initiative to improve pupil understanding, engagement and attainment in one curriculum area. If you are a secondary student, this curriculum area will be your designated subject.

Pre-requisite(s)

None

Co-requisite(s)

None

Module abstract

This module will enable you to engage with some of the key policies which influence current education practice. It will help you understand the ‘big picture’ in terms of education in a regional, national and international context. Understanding political, theoretical and educational contexts will be of significant benefit to you as a trainee teacher in the classroom and will contribute to you developing the reflective skills necessary to become an outstanding teacher. Your immersion in school will enable you to take the issues you have learnt within this module and apply them to a school context. The lectures, seminars and on line resources within this module will enable you to join a collaborative learning community, which is crucial as you develop your own philosophy in education.

Course info

UCAS Code Various - please refer to DfE

Credits 30

Level of Study Postgraduate

Mode of Study 1 year Full Time

Location Various Locations

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.

 

Useful Links

Find out about our distinctive approach at 
www.northumbria.ac.uk/exp

Admissions Terms and Conditions
northumbria.ac.uk/terms

Fees and Funding
northumbria.ac.uk/fees

Admissions Policy
northumbria.ac.uk/adpolicy

Admissions Complaints Policy
northumbria.ac.uk/complaints