Welcome to your Primary (General) course - University of Staffordshire

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.

Emma Clayson

Senior Lecturer

I am a senior lecturer within the primary education team. As a qualified teacher, I am passionate about education and in particular, inclusion and support our students to develop their skills in adaptive teaching.

Emma's profile

Sarah Gardiner

Senior Lecturer

Sarah spent the majority of her teaching career in primary schools in central London. Additional to her class teacher responsibilities she also had the role of subject leader for English and has specialised in this area of the curriculum for ove…

Sarah's profile

Mark Barlow

Senior Lecturer

Mark’s most recent work enables him to share his significant experience in developing teachers of the future, focusing on professional development, safeguarding in schools, and simulated learning for trainee teachers.

Mark's profile

Course Delivery

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.

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.

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)

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

Equipment and Software

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

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 Emma Clayson, emma.clayson@staffs.ac.uk.

The Primary PGCE Course Team