TE6691 - Professional Practice

What will I learn on this module?

This module is firmly rooted in your school experience. You will learn a range of professional competencies evidenced within the Teachers’ Standards. Throughout the year, you will acquire the skills, knowledge and understanding needed to become a highly effective teacher in the age phase/subject in which you are training. With the vast majority of time on this programme being spent in school, you will be immersed in the life of your host school(s) your skill development will be supported and monitored through a School Based Training Plan and an Individual Learning & Development Portfolio which are both mapped against the Teachers’ Standards (2012)

How will I learn on this module?

Your school experience will be made up of a combination of assessed and non-assessed experience. The non-assessed opportunities will broaden your understanding of effective teaching and learning through observation of outstanding practice, visits to other schools and settings. During the assessed periods, which will take place in 2 different schools, you will apply what you have learnt to your teaching. You will learn through a combination of informal and formal feedback from your school-based mentor, which will indicate your strengths and set targets for your professional development. You will be expected contribute to professional dialogue with your mentor and be proactive in seeking opportunities to deepen your understanding.

How will I be supported academically on this module?

An individual School Based Training Plan which will be created by your Lead School Mentor, will inform your progress and map the support you receive over the course of the programme. This plan will drive your personalised professional development against the Teachers’ Standards. You will be supported by University staff as you create and maintain your ILDP, which will evidence your progress throughout the year. Both University based staff and school-based mentors will guide and advise you about the range and depth of your evidence base. Regular tutorials in school will focus upon your growing professional skills and evidence towards the Standards. The University will quality assure the school support that you are receiving through regular meetings with your mentor.

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 demonstrate appropriate curriculum knowledge to teach the pupils in your subject/age phase
2. You will show a detailed understanding of teaching, learning and assessment of the pupils you are teaching

Intellectual / Professional skills & abilities:
1. You will take on the full responsibilities of the role of the teacher within a multi professional classroom context
2. You will be able to demonstrate the full range of skills required by the Teachers’ Standards
3. You will deploy a range of research-informed and innovative pedagogies in teaching the curriculum across the relevant age phase

Personal Values Attributes (Global / Cultural awareness, Ethics, Curiosity) (PVA):
1. You will exercise initiative, personal responsibility and demonstrate the learning ability, qualities and skills identified within the Teachers’ Standards for employment as a confident and competent teacher in the age phase/subject in which you are training

How will I be assessed?

Summative assessment
The summative assessment is successful demonstration of teaching skills within the school contexts This will require you to successfully complete a minimum of 2 sustained assessed placements in the age phases for which you are being trained. You will be assessed in your practical teaching, planning and assessment of pupils, as well as on your ability to critically analyse your own practice. You will be assessed by mentors in school and given an overall grade for each Assessed Placement
In total you will complete 15 weeks of Assessed Practice and must achieve an overall pass grade for each placement to meet the expectation for this Module.

Formative assessment
Throughout the year in your school(s) you will be engaged in a formative dialogue through tutorials, discussions with peers, colleagues and school based mentors. This develops a rounded collegiate valuing of professional learning that is supportive and critically reflective. During regular tutorials with your mentor, you will use a range of criteria based feedback sheets, which will help to identify strengths and set targets for the next stage of your learning. Formative assessments will be informed by Ofsted grading criteria and will lead to an overall judgement at the end of your training linked to professional development targets that will support you in the transition to your first teaching post.

Pre-requisite(s)

None

Co-requisite(s)

None

Module abstract

This module is the key driver in your development as an effective teacher in your subject/age phase. The significant amount of time that you spend in school is a unique feature of this programme and this module will capture and shape your learning journey. The Teachers’ Standards (2012) will frame what you need to learn and your school based mentors will identify the best ways for you to learn these key professional skills. You will begin the module by observing effective teaching and learning in school, as well as beginning to undertake some small teaching episodes. As your confidence and skills develop, you will build up your teaching timetable. Over the course of 2 assessed placements, which will take place in 2 different schools, you will work to an agreed and gradually increasing teaching timetable which will enable you to demonstrate sustained and high quality teaching over time. Your progress will be formatively assessed against Ofsted grading criteria, as you aim to achieve a level of outstanding practice by the end of your training.

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.

 

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