Book for Beds 2024 - School of Education

SCHOOL OF EDUCATION

Welcoming BA (Hons), Foundation Degree and Foundation Year Students

We have compiled this guide for students studying the courses listed below. We want to help you successfully navigate your first few weeks at the University of Bedfordshire and get you off to the best possible start.

The following pages include a range of information including details about your academic team and course; essential support services and resources; your schedule for Welcome Week; and how you can enjoy the social side of life on campus.

BA (Hons)

• English

• Education

• Early Childhood Education (Graduate Practitioner)

• Education with Psychology

• Education Studies and English

• Special Educational Needs and Disability

• Applied Education Studies

Foundation Degrees

• Early Years Studies (full time)

• Early Years Studies (with Early Years Educator)

Foundation Year

• Education (with FY)

• Education with Psychology (with FY)

• Special Educational Needs and Disability (with FY)

• Early Childhood Education Graduate Practitioner (with FY)

• Education Studies and English (with FY)

WELCOME TO EDUCATION

The School of Education is part of the University of Bedfordshire’s Faculty of Education, English and Sports. We are a close community that delivers a range of courses within Education, English and Teacher Education. We place great emphasis on supporting your academic development, excellent student experience and preparing you for the world of work.

The University has a long and successful history of teacher education, dating back to 1882. We are proud of our rich heritage and of who we are today; a modern, vibrant university with bespoke education, English and teacher training facilities.

My colleagues and I are very pleased you’ll be joining us in September. We want to help you take your first steps on your undergraduate journey and get you off to the best possible start.

That is why we have created this booklet which will help prepare you for your course and for your first year at university.

If you want to know more, just ask. Our team is here to help you get the most from your time with us.

Dr Perry Knight Head of School

A MESSAGE FROM YOUR COURSE COORDINATORS

We are delighted that you will be studying with us in September.

The focus of Welcome Week will be on introducing you to your course, the University community, your fellow students and your tutors.

You will meet your personal academic tutor who will be your ‘go-to’ person and will support you throughout your course. Your tutors are also here to support you – they hold weekly office hours where you can drop in for an informal chat, or a scheduled appointment. We will be with you every step of your academic journey.

If you have queries or concerns about your course, just drop us a line; we will do our best to help you even before your course begins.

A big welcome to the University of Bedfordshire!

When you join the University you automatically become a member of our SU community for FREE! We are here to help every student get the most out of their university experience. We offer advice, support and the opportunity for you to have your voice heard. We want to ensure that you have fun, try new things, deepen your passions for hobbies and interests and meet wonderful new friends.

Beds SU has offices in Luton and Bedford where you will also find venues and a whole host of weekly events for students.

There will be plenty of events for you to enjoy during Welcome Week – keep an eye on our website for more or follow us on social media. We can’t wait to meet you.

Chidera, Amina, Ryan and Chidinma

Your current Beds SU Executive Team

Beds SU (Luton and Bedford) bedssu.co.uk help@bedssu.co.uk

ESSENTIAL CONTACTS – COURSE COORDINATORS

Education Specialist

Oliver Belas oli.belas@beds.ac.uk

Education with Psychology Specialist

Kathryn Nethercott kathryn.nethercott@beds.ac.uk

Early Childhood Specialist

Julie Beams julie.beams@beds.ac.uk

Education Studies and English Specialist

Nicola Darwood nicola.darwood@beds.ac.uk

English

Nicola Darwood nicola.darwood@beds.ac.uk

Special Education Needs and Disability Specialist

Karen Lindley karen.lindley@beds.ac.uk

Applied Education Studies

Allyson Goodchild allyson.goodchild@beds.ac.uk

Sue Lane

susan.lane@beds.ac.uk

Foundation Degrees in Early Years

Karen Siddons karen.siddons@beds.ac.uk

WHAT TO EXPECT DURING

WELCOME WEEK

We believe your university experience helps to create a strong sense of community. That is why taking part in your Welcome Week programme is so important.

Not only will you have the opportunity to talk to your academics about the different aspects of studying and what to expect over the coming weeks, but it is also the ideal time to get to know your academic team and fellow students.

During Welcome Week, you will be invited to different sessions which cover a variety of topics and activities.

Settling into university life – address your hopes, fears and expectations.

Understanding your course structure – find out more about your learning experience, how we teach and how we assess your work.

Getting to know one another – take part in a social activity and make new friends.

Taking part in question time – put your questions to academics and current students.

Discovering your campus – find key locations and services including your lecture theatres, the Library, Student Support Services, the Students’ Union, where to eat and much more.

Details about the different activities will be shared with you closer to the time so keep an eye on your email.

Our colleagues in the student support and learning resources teams will also host sessions for all new students. These are designed to help you become familiar with all the essential services you will use throughout your time with us.

Of course, Welcome Week wouldn’t be Welcome Week without the Freshers’ Fair, which is run by the University of Bedfordshire Students’ Union. They will host plenty of events and activities, so keep an eye on their website and follow them on social media to find out more (see page 5).

CHECKLIST YOUR

PROFESSIONAL COURSES AND PLACEMENT EXPERIENCE

Although this may seem a long way off, it’s worth noting that there are many and varied career opportunities for education graduates, at home and abroad.

An education degree paves the way for careers you can predict, but some opportunities are less obvious. For that reason, we have designed our courses to have an incremental focus on your professional development, digital literacy and soft skills as well as your intellectual growth.

As well as specific employability units, you’ll work closely with the University careers and employability colleagues whose advice and help is available to you for life. Some education degree courses involve work placements throughout your three years (e.g. Early Childhood Education), while others help you to find relevant work experience during the holidays as part of your personal development as a professional. If a teaching career in the state school system beckons, we can support your smooth transition onto a suitable PGCE course after graduation.

For now, we encourage you to consider the positive impact university will have on you. In the coming weeks and months, you’ll grow emotionally, intellectually and in confidence with the help of those around you. The skills you will learn will have a huge impact on your intellectual development, as well as your personal, social and professional relationships.

Registering for your course

Once you have met the conditions of your offer, you will receive an email to complete your online registration. Keep an eye on your emails and junk box to ensure you don’t miss it!

Everything you need for moving to university

If you’re moving home, here’s a handy checklist from UCAS to make sure you pack everything you need.

WHAT YOU WILL STUDY IN ACCESSING

YOUR TIMETABLE

Your personal timetable will be available on the website once you have fully registered with the University as a student. You can also access your timetable via the MyBedsLife app (see p.17 for more on how to download our award-winning app).

Remember, it is important that you attend all timetabled classes and course inductions.

ESSENTIAL LINKS

Academic Calendar

Academic information

Guide to referencing Student Information Desk (SiD) Student Support

YOUR FIRST YEAR

EXPECTATIONS FOR STUDYING YOUR SUBJECT

You are expected to attend classes and actively engage in lectures, seminars, workshops and other activities. We also expect you to be involved in our community of learning by taking part in extracurricular activities that are organised by the School.

Once you have met the conditions of your offer, you will receive an email to complete your online registration. Keep an eye on your emails and junk box to ensure you don’t miss it! We will support you throughout your learning experience to develop your academic skills and professional competencies to future-proof your academic ambitions and professional careers.

Our teaching model includes significant time for sharing and discussing ideas in a supportive group. This is why we expect students to undertake preparatory reading when set, attend all workshops, be actively engaged in their seminars and tutorials and take part in extracurricular activities and events.

Here is an example of the units you might study in your first year:

Education English Work-based Learning Courses

Key Concepts in Education Introduction to Linguistics and Phonetics Skills for Education Studies

Narratives in Childhood How Talk Works Developing Learning

Early Child Psychology/ Early Years Curriculum Studies

Psychology of Adolescence

Safeguarding and Child Protection/Dev Practice in EY Settings

Approaching Literature Contextual Curriculum

How Text Works

English: Knowledge and Understanding

Describing Language

HOW YOU WILL BE ASSESSED

The course assessment strategy is closely aligned to the University’s teaching and learning strategy which is designed to:

• have an immediate relevance to practice

• draw on expertise by experience

• foster active learning and be learner-centred in approach.

A distinct feature of the course is the range of assessment tasks including workplace assessments that can have an immediate impact in practice. This helps put into practice what you are learning in university and can help increase your confidence.

RANGE OF ASSESSMENTS

These can vary depending on the course you are studying, but here’s an example of what your assessments might include:

Descriptive, comparative and analytical essays

Posters

Self evaluation

Video podcasts

Journal and magazine articles

Presentations

In class tests.

Assessments are purposefully diverse and created to relate to industry practices.

PREPARING FOR YOUR

FIRST WEEK

We want you to have the best possible start during your first week. To help you prepare, here are some useful links:

ABOUT THE CAMPUS

Take time to familiarise yourself with the layout of our campus and the names of buildings. This will help you get around with ease when you arrive.

• Bedford campus

SOMETHING TO GET EXCITED ABOUT

Once you enrol as a student, you will have access to a range of discounts nationally, locally and on campus.

• Get the latest student discounts with TOTUM, the National Union of Students discount card and app.

• Check out the latest offers from the University of Bedfordshire SU

• Find out if you are eligible for scholarships, bursaries and other discounts

SOMETHING TO DO

• In Bedfordshire

• Love Bedford

• Let Luton surprise you.

ESSENTIAL LINKS

Get support with your learning and assignments Study Hub

Visit the Library

Begin@Beds Start your student journey

Thrive@Beds My Beds Life

Succeed@Beds Careers and Employability Service

Student Support

HOW YOU CAN KEEP

UP TO DATE

We use a virtual learning environment called BREO (Bedfordshire Resources for Education Online) which helps our students keep up to date with everything that’s happening. Here you will find a range of online tools to support you during your studies, from information about your teaching team and links to live online sessions, to lecture slides and assessment information.

We advise all students to log in to BREO every day once you arrive on campus as it is regularly updated. You can only access BREO once you have registered with us as a student but you can read more about it on our website

FREQUENTLY ASKED

QUESTIONS

Who do I contact if I struggle to attend classes or submit work?

We understand that everyone will face some difficulties now and again and we aim to be flexible. You are encouraged to discuss ongoing issues with your personal academic tutor or unit lead. For independent advice or for ongoing attendance issues you can contact studentengagement@beds.ac.uk. You can apply for an extension on your assignment by emailing mitigation@beds.ac.uk. You can find out more on our website

Who can help me with my assessments?

If you need support with your assignments you can contact our Study Hub which offers free professional support to help you develop a wide range of relevant and valuable academic skills. You can find out more on our website

What support is available for students with a learning difference or disability?

Our Disabilities team supports students with a range of disabilities including sensory and physical impairments, mental health difficulties, specific learning difficulties such as dyslexia, and medical conditions such as epilepsy, diabetes, sickle cell anaemia and arthritis. You may be eligible for a Learning and Teaching Agreement, where you can discuss any reasonable adjustments needed for classroom learning and examinations. You can email disability@beds.ac.uk for further information and advice.

Are there clubs and activities I can get involved with?

Yes, the Students’ Union can tell you everything you need to know about sports clubs, activities and events for all our students. You can even set up your own society! Contact Beds SU by emailing beds.su@beds.ac.uk

All our students and staff can sign up for a free gym membership. This membership will also give you free Get Active sessions.

What if I’m struggling with my mental health at university?

The University has a range of services offering specialist help. You can email mentalhealth@beds.ac.uk for new or ongoing mental health support needs. To access our counselling services, email counselling@beds.ac.uk

Is there any support to help me manage my finances?

Our dedicated Student Money Advice team offers confidential financial advice, information and support. They can advise you on a range of funding options such as grants, loans, bursaries and scholarships, as well as guiding you on the best way to manage your finances. You can contact them by emailing studentmoney@beds.ac.uk

MyBedsLife

Our award-winning app MyBedsLife gives you access to everything the University has to offer. You can have a look around the app before you enrol on your course to get an idea of how it works. Once you’re a student, it will give you access to your emails, timetable, MyPrint balance, support services and much more. Plus you’ll get notifications to ensure you are always up to date.

SUPPORT STUDENT

Throughout your degree, you will have access to our Student Support teams, offering you practical and confidential advice and support.

Careers and Employability

Our Careers and Employability Service offers advice and support with everything from drafting the perfect CV and preparing for interviews to volunteering and graduate placements. You can access a range of online tools to help you in your career development and job search.

Community and faith

All students are welcome to join our exciting programme of activities or access our confidential, personal support – as well as a range of social activities and events. Visit us at the Tree House Centre at our Luton and Bedford campuses or find out more on the website

Student Voice

Help us to enhance your student experience by using your student voice to celebrate the positives, make suggestions for change and let us know when and where we can do things better. Find out how you can get involved

Cost of Living Hub

Our Cost of Living Hub brings together the latest information, support and guidance for students affected by the rising cost of living. You can access the Hub via the MyBedsLife app (see p.17) or our website

Support+

ESSENTIAL LINKS

Student Engagement

Mitigation

Mental Wellbeing

Disability Support

Student Money Advice

Student Support

We offer a wide range of support for students with varying needs and experiences including those with caring responsibilities; those facing homelessness; students who are estranged from their families; and much more. Find out how we can support you during your studies.

Support and Report

Respect, tolerance and inclusion are core values of our academic community. Support and Report is a confidential, centralised point of contact for all our students and staff to share concerns about offensive, threatening or anti-social behaviour, on or off campus. Find out more

FINAL

THOUGHTS

Always remember, our team is here for you!

We know there’s a lot to take in when you start university. We will support you throughout, especially at the beginning. We are confident that you’ll love our friendly campus and everything the University of Bedfordshire has to offer.

We have strong partnerships with more than 500 schools and other associated education organisations across the eastern region, a network that puts us ahead when it comes to national priorities, issues and developments in educational practice.

Our Education courses achieved a minimum of 90% satisfaction in 21 out of 27 questions in the National Student Survey 2023 with a 92% overall satisfaction rating.

We are a Department for Education accredited provider of Initial Teacher Training (ITT) while our Early Years courses are recognised by the Department for Education.

HERE’S WHY YOU WILL LOVE STUDYING AT BEDFORDSHIRE

English ranks 1st in its subject field for continuation (students carrying on with their studies after the first year) (Complete University Guide, 2024).

We focus on real-world experience, with practice-led teaching courses where you complete your teacher training in the classroom at placements in our partner schools around the region.

Our Education and English courses are designed to be flexible. For example, you study a common Education foundation in Year 1 then can choose your own specialism in Years 2 and 3.

Your employment prospects are strong – over 95% of our full-time UK graduates in education and teaching are in employment and/or further study, 15 months after graduating (Source: HESA Graduate Outcomes for 2020/21, pub 2023).