Welcome to your Primary (General) course

Hello and welcome!

We’re looking forward to supporting you through your PGCE year at Staffordshire University. Let’s cover some information that you’ll find useful before starting your adventure with us.  

Your staff team

We want to make sure you know some of our team before you arrive. Hopefully this will help you recognise us and ensure you know who you can contact if you need any additional help and guidance.

Sarah Misra

Senior Lecturer

Sarah is passionate about social justice and inclusion and ensuring that all children are offered a rich and varied curriculum at primary level. Her Masters in Special Educational Needs looked at improving access to support for parents.

Sarah's profile

Cathy Rutherford

Senior Lecturer

I am a Joint Leader in the Primary Education Team and I’m passionate about children receiving a well-rounded education which develops a love of learning. I enjoy sharing my love of teaching maths with our students so that they can love it too!

Cathy's profile

Course Delivery

You will be in a class of around 25 other students.  Our sessions are mainly in person and will be quite practical.  In addition to this you will be offered weekly tutorials with your Lead (university-based) Mentor and will have a school-based mentor to support you in school while you are on placement. 

Pre- Learning

The following core texts are recommended reading:

  • Haylock, D. and Manning, R. (2018) Mathematics Explained for Primary Teachers + Student Workbook for 'Mathematics Explained for Primary Teachers (London, SAGE)
  • Waugh, D. et al (2017) Primary English for Trainee Teachers (London, SAGE)
  • Roden, J. and Archer, J. (2014) Primary Science for Trainee Teachers (London, SAGE)
  • McGregor, D. and Precious, W. (2014) Dramatic Science: Inspired Ideas for Teaching Science using Drama ages 5–11 (London, Routledge)
  • Sharp, J. et al (2017) Primary Science: Teaching Theory & Practice (London, SAGE)
  • Webster, M. and Misra, S. (2015) Teaching the Primary Foundation Subjects (London, Open University Press)
  • Hayes, C. et al (2017) Developing as a Reflective Early Years Professional: A Thematic Approach (St Albans, Critical Publishing)

Semester One Activities

Throughout your PGCE we will cover all aspects of what you will need to know to be a primary teacher.  Most of your sessions will be subject based but we will also be looking at things like behaviour management, assessment and pedagogy. 

Join us on Social Media

Join our Social Media accounts for the Institute of Education so you can feel a part of the IOE family before you arrive.

You’ll see what we post, links to relevant news articles, developments within the sector, employability support and things going on in our courses.

Following this account will give you the opportunity to do some pre-reading and research before you join the course.

We have four social media platforms, Twitter, Instagram, Facebook and TikTok. You can find us using @staffsuniIOE.

Visit our Instagram Page

Free Downloadable Software

There is a variety of software which can be downloaded from the University’s website and can also be accessed via the button below. This software is free for all of our students, as we understand to reach your full potential and succeed in your degree you need the tools to help you. The software available is;

  • Microsoft Office 365
  • Microsoft Teams
  • SPSS and AMOS
  • Maple
  • NVivo
  • Sophos Antivirus
  • Asure Dev Tools for Teaching
  • VMWare
  • Free Training

Free Software

Other useful links

Join a Society

Getting involved in a student group can enhance your time at University. It’s a great way to make new friends and connections, learn from other students and develop new skills whist having some fun at the same time. Whether you want to join a group as a member, get involved in running a group as part of a committee or help run an event or organise your own – your Students’ Union is here to help make it happen! Please check out our website for more information on all of our groups, volunteering and other opportunities, or get in touch with our Engagement Team if you have more questions.

All Student Groups: https://www.staffsunion.com/getinvolved/clubsandsocieties/ (filter to see all academic groups).

Current Academic Societies:

Accounting & Finance: https://www.staffsunion.com/activities/society/25507/

Biology: https://www.staffsunion.com/activities/society/biosoc/

Education: https://www.staffsunion.com/activities/society/staffsedsoc/

Engineering: https://www.staffsunion.com/activities/society/theies/

FACS: https://www.staffsunion.com/activities/society/facs/

Fashion: https://www.staffsunion.com/activities/society/fashionsociety/

Humanities: https://www.staffsunion.com/activities/society/humanities/

Law: https://www.staffsunion.com/activities/society/lawsociety/

Bonus Group - Debating: https://www.staffsunion.com/activities/society/21294/

How to set up a new group: https://staffordshire.eu.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_0CG5LLyaUvS8eVv

Group Committee Resource & Support Area: https://www.staffsunion.com/managementhub/

Developing You (personal development resources): https://www.staffsunion.com/developingyou/

Academic skills

Whether you're joining us from school or college, or you're returning to education after some time away, everyone can benefit from the Academic Study Skills resources provided by the University library.

The Academic Skills team is here to support you throughout your academic journey and to help you gain the skills you need to reach your full potential. They can assist with academic reading and writing skills, give advice on how best to plan assignments, and help improve your time management.

The library's Academic Skills Guides offer the key information to make studying easier and give a comprehensive guide to the learning resources and services we offer.

Staffs CampusConnect

Staffs CampusConnect is our student-led community app for new students. Connect with other people from your course, hometown or country, and even those with similar interests.

To register, please ensure you use your Applicant ID (Student Number) that you received in your offer letter, and the email address you used in your application to us.

Register for CampusConnect

Welcome website

Our welcome website will provide you the link to your new student life. It's all about how you find your place at university, including everything from how to meet friends, feel confident in doing your academic work, being a member of your Student Union and getting involved in Union Societies, Academic Societies, Sports, Volunteering or representing your peers in your School.

Part of this Welcome Week - we have an exciting program of University and course level activities planned for you for your first week in September. We are also building an extended program for you to join a series of events throughout the first half of the autumn term. Further details will be shared with you via the Welcome website and Students' Union pages over the coming weeks.

Welcome website

Campus map

Use our campus map to familiarise yourself with our campus before you arrive.

Campus map (PDF)

Check your email

Please make sure you check your personal email account regularly over the next few weeks. We will be sending you lots of information about Welcome Week.

If you have any questions please email Sarah Misra (sarah.misra@staffs.ac.uk).

for Career Prospects

Whatuni Student Choice Awards 2023

for Facilities

Whatuni Student Choice Awards 2023

for Social Inclusion

The Times and The Sunday Times Good University Guide 2023

of Research Impact is ‘Outstanding’ or ‘Very Considerable’

Research Excellence Framework 2021

of Research is “Internationally Excellent” or “World Leading”

Research Excellence Framework 2021

Four Star Rating

QS Star Ratings 2021