What Makes This Course So Special?
This course offers an opportunity for those who wish to establish a career working with children and young people to engage with the ever evolving inclusion agenda. The course through critical investigation of current thinking and practice, as well as work based experiences, will equip them to deliver equal, fair access to learning opportunities in and out of the classroom. Work based learning is an integral part of the course. It offers opportunities for students to work with service providers in both the statutory and voluntary sector allowing them to establish professional links and contacts.
Course Intro
Inclusive Education is about delivering fair and equal access to learning opportunities in and out of the classroom. Part of this is the removal of any barriers that may exist for students who have additional learning needs.
On the course you will consider in depth the potential challenges faced by children and young people who have additional learning needs. You will consider the impact of recent legislation and the role it has played in highlighting the need to address the barriers faced by young students. You will investigate the many biological, psychological and/or sociological factors that impact on learning and explore approaches that can be adopted to support each young person to reach their potential.
If you choose the Full-time route, you will participate in work-based learning throughout the course. This will be with an organisation that provides services to children and young people. If you choose the part-time route you will be required to work with children or young people or be planning to organise workplace experiences for the duration of the course.
What you study
Year 1
These modules aim to give all students a basic understanding of the key theories and issues underpinning the field of education, and the placement module gives opportunities to link this theoretical knowledge to real situations.
• Child Development
• Recording, Assessing and Observing Children
• Achieving Inclusion and Effective Engagement
• ICT and Academic Skills
• Understanding Learning Difficulties and Disability
• Work-based placement – 1 day per week (full-time route)
Year 2
These modules focus more directly upon themes closely associated with inclusive practice, including exploring issues around working with vulnerable children as well as examining a range of intervention techniques.
• Working Collaboratively for Children
• Communication Difficulties
• Child Abuse, Context and Recognition
• Behaviour Management and Purposeful Learning
• Children and Young People in Exceptional Circumstances
• Work-based placement – 1 day per week (full–time route)
Year 3
We continue to examine issues connected to inclusive education, and you will also undertake a small scale independent research project which will focus on an issue of your choice.
• Supporting Literacy and Numeracy
• Children’s and Adolescents’ Mental Health
• Children’s and Young People’s Entitlement: critical issues
• Independent Study – A negotiated research project
• Work-based Placement – 1 day per week (full–time route)
A programme specification for this course is available.
Where Next?
This pathway aims to produce evidence based practitioners who can demonstrate a well informed, flexible approach to meeting the needs of all children and young people across a range of educational settings. You will be equipped with knowledge and understanding of the diverse range of barriers faced by young learners and the approaches used to manage them so will be well placed to take up jobs in education, health, and the voluntary sector.
Interview Required
Yes, with a written task as part of the interview process.
Assessment
All modules are assessed through a written assignment, sometimes accompanied by a presentation or the creation of a learning resource. There are no examinations.
Student Soundbite
“This course has encouraged me to think wider than disability and consider other factors that might interfere with learning. My placement in a voluntary children’s play project has helped me identify alternative learning environments and has opened my eyes to the wider variety of jobs I could consider when I finish the course.”