Education (Lifelong Learning)

Certificate/Professional Certificate/Postgraduate Certificate, Level 5 / 6 / 7

Education (Lifelong Learning)

The Certificate in Education/Professional and Post-Graduate Certificate in Education are unique awards of the University of Huddersfield.

On this course, you'll have the opportunity to acquire the knowledge and understanding needed to teach in the Lifelong Learning Sector, and the ability to identify your ongoing needs for professional development.

The course helps to prepare you for playing a full part in the teaching, administrative, and curriculum development activities in colleges and in other education and training organisations including: sixth forms; further, higher and adult education such as in hospitals, the prison service and uniformed services such as the military; and private training providers.

The course allows you to focus on your particular subject specialist area with a significant amount of your learning happening whilst in placements, which is normally spread over 2-3 days depending on timetables. This structure of in-class study and teaching placement allows you to put theory into practice.

The focus of this course is on practical teaching. You'll have the opportunity to gain experience of learning and teaching alongside other professionals with support from tutors and mentors. You'll be supported to develop the necessary skills to become an outstanding teacher.

You'll be taught through a wide range of teaching and learning methods and there's a wide range of assessment activity including the creation of resources to support learning, seminars, lectures and presentations. Observations are an integral part of the course and an online teaching portfolio is also required.

Upon successful completion of this course, you'll be eligible to proceed, following a process of professional formation through the Society for Education and Training, to gain Qualified Teacher Learning and Skills (QTLS) status. This is the full professional status for teachers in the Lifelong Learning Sector.

The course is divided into modules, each addressing a different aspect of teaching and learning which will be supported by individual tutors and by a virtual learning environment.

Year One:

• Research informed Teaching, Learning and Assessment

• Becoming a subject specialist tutor

Year Two:

• Policy and Professional issues

• Being a subject specialist tutor

Within those modules you will be required to keep and update an online e-portfolio and undertake 8 observed teaching and learning sessions with students.

Please note that modules may be subject to change from year to year, due to curriculum updating/sector changes/changes in delivery staff specialisms or awarding body requirements.

Attendance at the Subject Specialist Conference at the University of Huddersfield is also a course requirement. Further information regarding the conference will be made during interview.

Successful students may wish to undertake further professional qualifications such as a Bachelor's Degree (BA) in Education and Professional Development or a Masters programme in Education or Learning and Development.

You should hold a Level 3 qualification in the subject you wish to teach, and those wishing to qualify for the Professional Graduate Certificate should also have a UK first degree in a specialist area. For those with a degree there may be an opportunity to undertake a Master's Level Post-Graduate Certificate in Education.

You should have relevant work experience in you specialist subject areas which would normally be at least two years’ experience in your vocational area, although not necessarily in a teaching/training role.

In addition you must also:

• provide Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check and health clearances

• provide a satisfactory reference

• complete a satisfactory interview

Whilst not essential, it is highly desirable that you have a Level 2 qualification in English and Maths (e.g. GCSE, 'O' Level, Level 2 Literacy and Numeracy).

As part of the course you are required to undertake a teaching placement in an appropriate setting consisting of a minimum of 50 hours of direct teaching each year.

Selby College has a dedicated HE area, extensive IT facilities and a well-stocked Learning Resource Centre with relevant texts, journals and e-resources which can be accessed on site and remotely.

You will also have access to useful resources from the University of Huddersfield. Once registered, these will include your online e-portfolio Pebblepad and access to Summon, which is the University of Huddersfield's Library system.

Where can it lead?

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