Description
This qualification is only available until 31 December 2017.
To claim this qualification, you must complete the required 240 credits by this date.
If you have any questions about your eligibility for this qualification, please contact the Centre for Qualifications and Ceremonies on +44 (0)1908 653003 or by email.
Teaching assistants and classroom support staff represent one of the fastest growing occupational groups in the country. If you’re a teaching assistant (or in an equivalent school support role) the Foundation Degree in Primary Teaching and Learning will extend your skills in the classroom, develop your professional knowledge and expertise and boost your career opportunities. It combines work-based learning with academic study to develop the knowledge and skills needed to support primary-aged children in their school learning. To study this foundation degree course, you’ll need to be an experienced teaching assistant, experienced volunteer or equivalent working with children in primary schools (age range 4 to 11 years and up to age 12 in Scotland).
The programme of study for this Foundation degree is also offered as the Diploma of Higher Education in Primary Teaching and Learning (E59). The Diploma of Higher Education might be of particular interest to those living and working in Scotland.
Planning your studies
Whether or not you’re new to study with the OU we recommend that you start with a module at Level 1 and that you complete your Level 1 study before going on to Level 2.
Entry requirements – We recommend that you have some previous experience as a teaching assistant or volunteer teaching assistant before you start. During your studies, you will need to be working directly with children in a primary school for a minimum of five hours a week in order to complete the work-related and work-based assignments in this foundation degree. Your school must provide confirmation of the number of hours you work; verify your role in the school; and agree to provide appropriate support for your studies for the work based learning modules.
Anyone working in a school will need to meet the ‘fit person’ criteria for doing so, as required for the setting and country in which they are working, including obtaining the necessary criminal record clearance from the Disclosure and Barring Service (for England and Wales) or have passed a Disclosure Scotland or Enhanced Disclosure Certificate from Access NI (Northern Ireland). It is the responsibility of you and your employer to ensure that you meet these requirements, rather than The Open University. You should contact the relevant agency in your country for more information if you are in doubt about your eligibility.
Students studying in Continental Western Europe are eligible to study this Foundation Degree providing you meet the entry requirements outlined and that you are working in a school that follows the National Curriculum.
There is a time limit for studying this foundation degree. The minimum study time to complete the foundation degree is two years, which would be the equivalent to full-time study and would require exceptional commitment to studying. You must obtain the required 240 credits for this foundation degree, including any credit transfer, within either seven years of starting the first OU module or within seven years from completion of the study that is the basis of a credit transfer award, whichever is the earliest, and complete your studies by 31 December 2017.
You should note that the University’s unique study rule applies to this qualification. This means that you must include at least 80 credits from OU modules that have not been counted in any other OU qualification that has previously been awarded to you. Before being awarded any intermediate qualifications, we advise you to check that you’ll have sufficient new credits to qualify for your foundation degree.
Career relevance and employability
The Foundation Degree in Primary Teaching and Learning is relevant to teaching assistants, higher level teaching assistants and other kinds of classroom support staff. If you’re seeking higher level teaching assistant (HLTA) status – in England and Wales only – it will help you to gather the necessary practice-related evidence to apply for this status.
It may also be helpful if you are thinking about training to be an early years or primary teacher. Your choice of optional module at level 2 can also be used to support this goal. If you’re considering teaching as a career, you’re strongly advised to check with your training provider about their entry policy for initial teacher education (ITE) programmes, as requirements vary between different universities.
This foundation degree course will enable you to develop your existing practice with children and be more aware of the theories that give rise to effective teaching and learning. Students report that their studies can make them more prepared to take part in educational discussions in their schools, and more confident at contributing as valued professionals. Some have also stated that their studies led to paid employment and promotion.
Careers and Employability Services have more information on how OU study can improve your employability.
Modules
For this 240-credit foundation degree you require:
120 credits from the following compulsory modules:
| Level 1 compulsory modules |
Credits |
Next start |
- The discontinued module E111 (or version EZL111)
|
60 |
|
- The discontinued module E101
|
60 |
|
And 60 credits from the following compulsory module:
| Level 2 compulsory module |
Credits |
Next start |
- Subject knowledge and professional practice in primary schools (E207)
|
60 |
|
And 60 credits from the following optional modules:
| Level 2 optional modules |
Credits |
Next start |
- Childhood (E212)*
|
60 |
|
- Equality, participation and inclusion: learning from each other (E214)
|
60 |
|
Or, subject to the rules about excluded combinations, the discontinued modules ED209, K204, K218, U212
*Compulsory module if you wish to progress to the BA (Hons) Childhood and Youth Studies (B23).
Learning outcomes
The learning outcomes of this qualification are described in four areas:
- Knowledge and understanding
- Cognitive skills
- Practical and professional skills
- Key skills
Read more detailed information about the learning outcomes, and how they are acquired through teaching, learning and assessment methods.
Credit for previous study elsewhere
If you have already completed some successful study at higher education level at another institution we may be able to give you credit for this study that you can count towards this Open University qualification. You can find out more on our Credit Transfer site. If you make a successful claim for transferred credit it may affect your choice of modules so you are advised to investigate this option as soon as possible.
On completion
On successful completion of the required modules you will be awarded a Foundation Degree in Primary Teaching and Learning and will be entitled to use the letters FD (Open) after your name.
Regulations
As a student of The Open University, you should be aware of the content of the qualification-specific regulations below and the academic regulations that are available on our Student Policies and Regulations website.
How to register
If you want to study for this qualification, read the description and check you meet any specific requirements (for example, some of
our qualifications, require you to be working in a particular environment, or be sponsored by your employer). Then select the
module you wish to study first and ensure it is suitable for you before following the registration procedure for that module.
During the registration procedure you will be asked to declare which qualification you are studying towards.
See a full list of modules available for this qualification