Welcome to your Education Studies course

Welcome to the BA (Hons) Education Studies with optional pathways in Special Educational Needs and Disabilities, Mental Health and Wellbeing or Education for Our Sustainable World.

Starting at university is an exciting time and we want you to have a positive experience and so preparation is important. There is an introduction to the course in these pages and also some activities to help you settle quickly.

If you have any questions or need more information, you can contact the Course Leader by email Alyson.jolley@staffs.ac.uk.

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.

Alyson Jolley

Senior Lecturer

Learning is something that we all experience throughout our lives and ensuring that it’s fun and engaging is my passion. Education is not just about schooling but is about education in our communities, from our youngest citizens to our wisest.

Alyson's profile

Francesca Brown-Cornwall

Lecturer

I’m an Early Childhood Specialist and hybrid Psychology and Education researcher fascinated by smiles, laughter and thinking. I am passionate about supporting a skilled, innovative and joyful workforce in childhood and educational services.

Francesca's profile

Dr Jo Basford

Course Director Assoc Prof

Education is transformative. It enables us to see the world differently, to challenge our thinking and to try new things. My ambition is that student’s learning with the Institute of Education will be a transformative experience.

Jo's profile

Amanda Tayler

Senior Lecturer

I am an early years specialist with a specific interest in our workforce. I take great pride in managing this course and educating the next generation of practitioners to lead practice and change the lives of young children. 

Amanda's profile

Course Delivery

Education Studies will provide you with an opportunity to meet a range of educational experts as well as working with students from the Early Childhood Studies course. You will participate in many different learning experiences with teaching and learning sessions taking place in classrooms, lecture spaces and tutorial rooms. However, we also use outdoor learning, the natural environment and our campus facilities such as the nature reserve and forest school.

You will also work with different groups, from whole classroom learning to smaller project groups. You will be in university for at least two days a week. You will also encounter educational experiences in a variety of settings, and these are dependent on your interests and pathway.

Check out our Forest School Fun

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.

Visit our Instagram Page

Semester One Activities

The first few weeks at university are special as it is important to meet and make new friends, find your way around university and build your potential. University study offers so much potential for your future career.

In the first few weeks you will experience Welcome Week which is a chance to meet everyone who will teach you, learn about your timetable and your course. We will spend time thinking about university study and then introduce you to the semester one modules. In the first few weeks of university, there is an opening project about the purpose of a school and thinking about schools of the future.

We want you to feel an important part of our educational community.

Pre-Learning

An exciting part of our course is learning about and using educational technologies. You will be invited to a Teams site so that you can meet your student group and your tutors online.

As you embark on your degree it is important to read about what is happening in education across the world. Here are two websites that reveal some of the important educational developments taking place now :

Homepage | Tes Magazine

Schools Week | The latest schools & education news

You might want to read about the educational system. A useful book is:

An Introduction to Education Studies (Fifth Edition): Steve Bartlett and Diana Burton (2020).

Current educational news stories are also important and so you might dip into:

Education news, opinion and guides | The Guardian or for a different view

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/education.

Free Downloadable Software

Software link:

https://staffsuniversity.sharepoint.com/sites/software/SitePages/Home.aspx

Education studies students will benefit from using a laptop during their studies. It is helpful if you are familiar with Microsoft 365 and in particular word and PowerPoint. We also use Microsoft Teams for one to one work with tutors and small project work in groups. We use email to share important information using your student email account.

We will use a Virtual Learning Environment (VLE) during your studies called Blackboard and will support you in accessing and using this site.

Trips and Activities

We have a range of activities and experiences which will develop your educational professional profile. We will work on projects in our local community, we will visit the forest school and nature reserve. There is the choice of an educational trip in the second semester and our student IOE and Me Day.

Click to see the IOE & Me Celebrations

Join a Society

Education studies students have participated in many societies at the university. Last year students participated in sports clubs, the Education Society, the Amateur Dramatics Society, the Parent and Carer Network, the Equestrian Society and many more.

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.

We look forward to welcoming you to the campus in September.

If you have any questions, please send them to Course Leader Alyson Jolley , email Alyson.jolley@staffs.ac.uk.

The Education Studies Course Team

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