University College Plymouth St Mark & St John

School of Education and Professional Development 
The School of Education and Professional Development runs a range of undergraduate and post graduate courses which cater for students in both primary and secondary education. Placement learning is a key component of many of the courses and all students involved in Initial Teacher Training complete the statutory amount of time training in schools as detailed in the ‘Requirements for Initial Teacher Training ‘ TDA (2006).

Primary Education Courses

• B.Ed (Hons) in Primary Education (with QTS)
  On this three or four year course all trainees complete time in a number of schools. These experiences range from serial day visits in the first year of the course to ten week block placements in the final year. All trainees on these programmes gain experience across key stage 1 and 2, as well as having some experience in the foundation stage. Trainees are supported by both school and UCP Marjon based tutors on all their placements.Trainees on these courses have the opportunity to work in schools in Cornwall, Devon, Somerset, London as well as in British Forces schools in Germany, Cyprus and Gibraltar. The College links with over 250 schools across the regions.Trainees are assessed against the Standards for Qualified Teacher Status (QTS) as laid down by the TDA.
  
• B.Ed (Hons) in Early Years Education (with QTS)
  Trainees on this three year course spend three days a week in local training schools and complete placements in foundation stages 1 and 2 as well as key stage 1. The placement learning component is central to this particular course and enables the trainees to develop their skills in the context of the workplace. Trainees work with experienced school-based mentors as well as being supported by UCP Marjon tutors.Trainees are assessed against the Standards for Qualified Teacher Status (QTS) as laid down by the TDA.
  
• Postgraduate Certificate in Primary Education (with QTS)
  This one year course requires trainees to spend at least 18 weeks in school on placement. They work in at least two different schools and gain experience in key stages 1 and 2, as well as some experience in the foundation stage. They work with both school and UCP Marjon based tutors and like our other courses placements play a central part. Trainees work in schools across Devon, Cornwall, Somerset and London.Trainees are assessed against the Standards for Qualified Teacher Status (QTS) as laid down by the TDA.

International Education
International Education has been a part of UCP Marjon for 25 years during which time we have worked with over 100 countries around the word.  This has involved working on projects on Curriculum Development, Textbook Writing, Resource Centre Management, Professional Development Courses for Teachers and Educators and Trainer Development.  These programmes have involved in-country training and consultancy and also participants coming to UCP Marjon for courses as part of the project.  

At present we are working with participants from nearly 20 countries on similar projects.  We also run Postgraduate Programmes in Trainer Development and  English Language Teaching; English Language Courses; Pre-BRNC Trainee Officer course for the Royal Navy of Oman and Qatar; BEd (Hons) in Teaching English as a Second Language (TESL) as part of a partnership programme with Malaysia; teaching practice placements for US Trainee Teachers; intensive courses on School Leadership and Management.

In International Education the following groups undertake placements as part of their course or professional development activity: 

• BEd TESL (10 days of school attachment in each of years 2 & 3)
• UCP Marjon also has several Partner Institutions in the USA from which we receive students who take their final teaching practice in Plymouth schools or undertake a practical placement in a sports club or similar environment on 3-12 week full time teaching practice.
• Participants on project related courses at UCP Marjon may need to visit local schools both primary and secondary to have an insight into the English education system and depending on their specialism may wish to observe teaching, see resources used and talk to pupils, student teachers and the professional tutors.
• Vocational Schools in Switzerland bring groups of students to UCP Marjon to improve their English Language and during their course they undertake a workplace visit in their specialism.
• We also offer English Language courses to students from around the world and these students are encouraged to undertake volunteer work within the community to help improve their English.