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    FdA Education

    FdA Education | Level 5 | P11854

    Study options

    How to study

    Part Time - Evening

    Start Dates

    Start Date

    September 2024

    Days and times

    Days & Times

    Wednesday 5pm-8pm

    duration

    Duration

    3 Years

    location

    Location

    Burton Town Centre Campus

    • Course overview

      This course is awarded by Staffordshire University and you will study Level 4 in year 1, progressing to Level 5 in year 2. To apply for this course, please apply directly to Staffordshire University.

      The Foundation Degree offers comprehensive coverage of the knowledge and skills required by those supporting learning and teaching in a variety of settings. It is practical and focused on the workplace. The course develops understanding of teaching and learning and developing inclusive practice whilst working with children and young people. It also covers skills required for effective communication, self-development, and career progression. What's more, part-way throughout the course you can choose to specialise in early childhood studies - this is a great way to tailor your award to your career aspirations, and further develop your knowledge of educational practice in an early years setting. On successful completion of study, we will issue the following award if you choose not to specialise: FdA Education. Those who choose to specialise in early childhood studies will be issued with the following award on successful completion of study: FdA Education (Early Childhood Studies).

      The award is for anyone who is currently employed in a learning support situation, for example teaching assistants, bilingual support assistants, learning mentors, cover supervisors, PE and sports coaches and voluntary placements, in any phase of education from Early Years to Further Education. Anyone working in Early Years may choose to specialise in Early Childhood Studies at Level 5.

      This course has a very distinctive curriculum that aims to cater for a broad range of students from a variety of workplace situations. Work-based personal experiences form a significant part of the learning for this course, however, the course also aims to extend your knowledge, skills and understanding of learning situations that might be different from your own immediate experience. The modules have a wide and flexible content, adaptable to your needs, while providing an essential core of academic understanding. The programme will develop your subject knowledge; work-based skills and knowledge; and study skills in a coherent package. In particular, the course aims to provide practitioners with specialist roles the opportunity to reflect on their own particular situation. 

      Please note: Specified course fee is per year.

    • Fees and Costs

      Educational entitlements or fee concessions are solely based on the individual programme and nationally set eligibility criteria. To see if you qualify for fee concessions then please visit the 'what will I pay' section of our website. You may be surprised what you are entitled to!

      • Course Fees Examination & Registrations
      • 16-18 School Leaver info n/a Course fee n/aExam & Registration fee
      • 19-23 Educational Entitlement info £4233.00Course fee IncludedExam & Registration fee
      • 19+ Part Funded info £4233.00 Course fee IncludedExam & Registration fee
      • 19+ Fully Funded info £4233.00Course fee Included Exam & Registration fee
      • 24+ Fully Funded info £4233.00Course fee Included Exam & Registration fee
      • Full Cost info £4233.00Course fee IncludedExam & Registration fee

      Payment methods

      • Payment in Full (Credit Card / Debit Cards / Cash) accepted
      • Employer Sponsored accepted
      • Direct Debit Instalments accepted
      • Advanced Learning Loan accepted
      • Student Finance English Loan (HE) not accepted

      For International Learners

      Email us: financialsupport@bsdc.ac.uk

      Call us: 01283 494757 or 01283 494472

      Visit us: Chat to the Financial Support Team in the Learner Hub
      Just drop-in, Monday to Thursday 8.30am to 5pm and Friday 8.30am to 4.30pm.

      Disclaimer

      Further Education Programme Only: The College reserves the right to change or amend, at any time, any of the course details including but not limited to; content, dates, times, venues, tutor, fees payable, concessions available, terms or conditions.

    • Entry requirements

      All applicants are individually assessed on their qualifications, skills and experience. However, you would normally:

      • Demonstration of a clear Enhanced DBS check which confirms that there are no reasons why a candidate should not work with children
      • Be in employment (either paid or voluntary) within an educational setting for at least four hours a week
      • Have 64 UCAS points or hold an appropriate Level 3 with suitable work experience
      • GCSE qualifications in English and Maths or demonstration of a level 2 competence.  
      • If English is not your first language you will be expected to have achieved an IELTS score of 6.0 or above 

      * Eligibility to be counted in the EYFS staff:child ratios at level 3 requires you to hold a relevant Early Years Level 3 qualification, which should be gained prior to studying this pathway.

    • What modules will I study?

      LEVEL 4
      Learning and Holistic Development (40 Credits)

      This module aims to help you evaluate established theoretical perspectives on how children develop and learn and apply them to your chosen age range. Consideration of relevant policy, including ethics, and new scientific evidence will be used to inform an understanding of how contemporary theorists continue to build upon and adapt existing concepts of early childhood development and the importance of these foundation for learning through life. 

      Safeguarding and Developing Educational Practice (40 Credits) 

      You will examine the reformed structuring and services which create the means by which the interests, needs and welfare of children and young people can be protected and advanced. You will learn about key legislation and policy changes and reflect on the major changes in child welfare to understand the debates shaping children’s policy. The module will include a case study to introduce contemporary debates about child protection and analyse issues and strategies related to equality, diversity and safeguarding to promote inclusive practice. 

      Supporting Learning and Inclusion (20 Credits)

      This module focuses on identifying learner needs and how these might be best supported. You will consider how approaches to learning and resources can be adapted to address and support issues relating to special education needs and differentiation within your own practice. You will examine theory relating to inclusion to develop your understanding of the principles of responding to the unique needs of the individual learner in terms of race, ethnicity, diversity, disability and lifetstyle; creating an enabling environment in which to learn.

      Personal and Professional Development (20 Credits)

      This module will span the whole of Level 4 in order to build upon your existing personal, academic and professional knowledge, skills and understanding to encourage you to adopt a positive and reflective approach during the first year of the course. 

      Key concepts covered in this module include:

      • Principles and approaches to reflective practice
      • Observation and development of own professional practice
      • Roles and responsibilities (including safeguarding) • Introduction to Academic Skills (embedded through the course)
      • Personal career aspirations

      LEVEL 5 

      Select Education Pathway OR Early Childhood Studies Pathway for Modules 5, 6 and 7 Year 2 & 3
      Behaviour for Learning (40 Credits)

      This module provides the opportunity to use your existing knowledge and understanding of learning and development to critically examine behaviour and learning. Types of behaviour, their origin and impact will be explored. You will analyse and evaluate strategies for managing behaviour to effectively support learning.

      Planning for Learning (40 Credits) (ECS Pathway)

      This module will build upon your existing knowledge and understanding of the unique child in the early years setting. Drawing on underpinning theory of observation, assessment and child development you will evaluate observation, assessment and planning techniques to support holistic development of the child. 

      Assessment for Learning (40 Credits) (Guided Research in Education)

      The purpose of this module is to enable you to understand theories, principles and applications of assessment and feedback in educational settings. It aims to develop your understanding of the role of assessment of and for learning and will involve critical engagement with policy documentation and underpinning theory. You will carry out a small-scale research investigation into an aspect of your current assessment practice which will provide an introduction to academic research. 

      Working with Young Children (40 Credits) (Guided Research in Early Years) (ECS Pathway)

      The purpose of the module is to enable you to investigate the organisation structures of provision for young children in supporting their health, well-being and development. It will involve critical analysis of the legal framework, national and local policy and understanding the role of parent partnerships and early years’ professionals. You will use an investigative approach to carry out a small-scale research investigation into an aspect of how professionals from a variety of disciplines can contribute to a unified approach to supporting children’s health and development, which will provide an introduction to academic research. 

      Professionalism and Career Development (20 Credits)

      This module builds on the knowledge, skills and understanding developed in the PPD module at Level 4. Opportunities to analyse your roles and responsibilities will enable you to reflect on your development as an educational practitioner. Evaluation of your role will provide a consideration of future opportunities and development as an educational professional. 

      Professionalism and Career Development (20 Credits) (ECS Pathway) 

      This module builds on the knowledge, skills and understanding developed in the PPD module at Level 4. Opportunities to analyse your roles and responsibilities will enable you to reflect on your development as an early year’s practitioner. Evaluation of your role will provide a consideration of future opportunities and development as an early years professional.

      Leadership and Team Working (20 Credits) (Ed and ECS Pathways)

      The purpose of this module is to enable the understanding of theories, principles and applications of leadership and team working in educational settings. It aims to develop a critical understanding of management theory as a basis for team building, communication, delegation, motivation and well-being. Critical engagement with theory and its relation to practice and personal experience will encourage evaluation of the effectiveness of application with education settings.

    • Days and times

      Wednesday 5pm-8pm

    • How will I be assessed?

      Programme and module outcomes are formally assessed through a range of tasks and activities, such as creation of resources to support learning or reflection on organisational practice, which ask you to link learning in the workplace to the taught programme. For every module completed, students will gain either 40 or 20 credits towards the course. To complete the Foundation degree, students need 240 credits. The credit system is a national system, devised to enable students to accumulate credits as they pass areas of study. 

    • What can I do next?

      On successful completion of your Foundation Degree, you can then top-up to a full BA (Hons) in Education by studying a further four modules gaining 120 credits at Level 6 over one year. Other opportunities for progression may be available depending on your future career plans.

    More information on Childcare & Education

    If you’re interested in children’s development and are considering a career working with children, our childcare courses are the right place to start. Whether you’re looking to develop your knowledge in this area or want to progress in the childcare profession, we’ve got the right course for you.

    Read More about 'Childcare & Education'
    Contact Details

    Contact Details

    Burton and South Derbyshire College
    Tel: 01283 494400

    Town Centre Campus

    Burton Town Centre Campus, Lichfield Street, Burton on Trent, Staffordshire DE14 3RL

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