Truro and Penwith College

FdA Childhood Education

Rated Ofsted Outstanding (2016), Truro and Penwith College provides a range of quality degree courses with employer needs in mind. All students benefit from an excellent support network that helps to put them on the best footing for a successful future after graduating. Finding themselves at home in purpose-built buildings with expert lecturers and access to industry-standard equipment, students can study a quality university course right here in Cornwall.
A variety of people enter higher education with an assortment of experiences and commitments, but with the flexibility at the heart of our programmes, the College offers a compressed timetable and small class sizes to allow students to study in a relaxed and supportive environment. Whatever your background, studying University courses at Truro and Penwith College means an opportunity to study locally, the chance to fit home or part-time work around your lectures and the one thing all our students have in common – the shared experiences of a quality education right here in Cornwall.
For more information visit the Truro and Penwith College website.
Course details

  • Year 1

  • Core modules

    • The Psychology of Teaching and Learning (TCEC1103)

      This module will identify and examine psychological perspectives relevant to teaching and learning. It will analyse and evaluate the influences that contribute to the psychological development of a child. The module emphasizes the importance of social psychology and society, enabling students to gain insight into how a childs environment, culture, and social context, influence how they learn.

    • Professionalism and Interpersonal Relationships (TCEC1104)

      The focus of this module is to explore professionalism, professional identity formation and interpersonal relationships in educational contexts. It includes concepts of communication and interpersonal skills and divergent value sets that underpin significant working relationships. The module examines how values and ethics contribute to effective working relationships

    • Theories of Childhood Education (TCEC1105)

      This module examines influential approaches to teaching and learning. It explores theoretical perspectives, seminal educators and contemporary educational thinkers. Students will explore a variety of approaches to learning, including informal, incidental and spontaneous play experiences, to more structured teaching learning and assessment methodologies.

    • Professional Practice (Compulsory Placement) (TCEC1106)

      This module focuses on work-placement within an educational context, it provides students with an opportunity to link theory and practice. The principles of professional engagement and the application of ethical values in the workplace are central to this module. The module provides an opportunity for students to evidence their personal development, professional skills and knowledge of educational practice.

    • Curriculum, Curriculum Planning and Age Phase Transition (TCEC1107)

      This module explores and identifies the significance of curriculum, curriculum planning and age phase transition, in relation to high quality teaching and learning in childhood education. The module includes the theory and practice of transitions at the start and end of the primary National Curriculum. Consideration is given to personal, social and emotional aspects in this module

    • Special Educational Needs and Disability (TCEC1108)

      This module Identifies principles and concepts underlying theoretical frameworks and approaches to children with special education needs. The emphasis will be on the individual child and examining how their needs are identified and addressed. The significance of policy, and practice, which will shape educational provision for children with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND) will be examined.

  • Final year

  • Core modules

    • Education and Society (TCEC2083)

      The module explores education and the impact of societal factors on children's learning. It will examine current UK government legislation, policies and trends in education and their recommendations for the future. The module considers the impact of factors such as poverty and deprivation on children's learning and aims to increase educators awareness of such factors.

    • Alternative Learning Environments (TCEC2084)

      This module evaluates a range of approaches, theories and contexts for educational practice. Students will compare and contrast how environment, learning and teaching strategies and the curriculum offer opportunities to create learning contexts that challenge existing models of mainstream and formal learning, teaching and assessment.

    • Curriculum: English and Mathematics (TCEC2085)

      This module aims to build on the importance of the students knowledge of language and mathematical development. It promotes and develops the students competence and confidence in mathematics. The module identifies the linguistic, literacy concepts and skills within the EYFS and National Curriculum. The module explains how high quality in English and reading are essential to education and society.

    • Curriculum: Science and Technology (TCEC2086)

      This module focuses on the scientific and computing components within the Early Years Foundation Stage, Key Stage 1 and Key Stage 2 of the National Curriculum. The module explains how practical elements of science are integrated into theory and the curriculum. Students examine how computer hardware and software and other technologies, are taught in the EYFS and the National Curriculum.

    • Critical Professional Practice (Compulsory Placement) (TCEC2087)

      This module explores a range of teaching skills and methodologies. It examines and evaluates teaching, learning and assessment as a co-operative process. Students will have the opportunity to use their work placement practice to develop their knowledge skills and understanding of the role of reflective practice in a compulsory work placement.

    • Educational Research (TCEC2088)

      This module provides students with the opportunity to engage in educational research. The importance of adhering to academic research conventions and guidelines are explained. The module requires students to formulate a small scale qualitative research project. Consideration to ethical issues, in terms of engaging in academic educational qualitative research, is emphasised throughout this module.

The modules shown for this course are those currently being studied by our students, or are proposed new modules. Please note that programme structures and individual modules are subject to amendment from time to time as part of the University’s curriculum enrichment programme and in line with changes in the University’s policies and requirements.

In light of the Coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, the changeable nature of the situation and any updates to government guidance, we may need to make further, last minute adjustments to how we deliver our teaching and learning on some or all of our programmes, at any time during the academic year. We want to reassure you that even if we do have to adjust the way in which we teach our programmes, we will be working to maintain the quality of the student learning experience and learning outcomes at all times.
Fees, costs and funding
As this course is delivered by one of our partner colleges, please contact the college directly for information on fees and funding.
How to apply

All applications for undergraduate courses are made through UCAS (Universities and Colleges Admissions Service). 

UCAS will ask for the information contained in the box at the top of this course page including the UCAS course code and the institution code. 

To apply for this course and for more information about submitting an application including application deadline dates, please visit the UCAS website.

Support is also available to overseas students applying to the University from our International Office via our how to apply webpage or email admissions@plymouth.ac.uk.

Progression routes

Completing this course enables you to progress onto these related courses and programmes with the University of Plymouth at level 5 or level 6, as specifically defined by this programme’s progression agreement.

For further information, including the progression from foundation degree form, please visit https://www.plymouth.ac.uk/business-partners/partnerships/academic-partnerships/study-guide/progression-to-honours-degree

Our partnership with Truro and Penwith College
The University of Plymouth has developed partnerships with institutions around the world with the sole purpose of making higher education more accessible to those people who need something just a little different.

Our Academic Partnerships enable students to enrol for a degree at a partnership institution closer to home, or engage in distance learning – even when they’re in the middle of the ocean. They are there for those people looking to return to education, or enhance their professional development. Full- or part-time; foundation degree to masters-level – we cater for a huge variety of needs and aspirations.

Many of our partners offer specialist degrees, unique facilities, and smaller class sizes at a competitive price. And as a student of two institutions, you get the best of both worlds; a supportive learning environment as part of a close-knit community, and a university-level qualification awarded by the University of Plymouth. You’ll enjoy not only the facilities and services your partnership institution provides, but also all of the additional support and resources you need from us, and you’ll automatically become a member of our Students’ Union, too.

We are continuing to grow the number of partner institutions and expand our academic community to new locations around the UK and overseas. Why not visit the Academic Partnerships page on our website for a full list of partners and for more details on studying with us?

One of our partners delivers this particular course – so please visit their website for full course details, entry requirements, tuition fees and information on what student life is like there. 

Open days

Partner college open days

This course is run at one of our partner colleges. Open days are held at the college and more details of these can be found on the college website. You'll find contact details below, on this page.

University of Plymouth open days

You are also very welcome to attend a University of Plymouth open day, to get a flavour of the courses you can progress to from a partner college. There will however be limited information on this specific course and college.

Studying with Truro and Penwith College

We’re one of the leading colleges in the country, delivering teaching and learning to the highest level. With three modern campuses at Truro, Penwith (at Penzance) and Tregye, we provide you with a unique university experience.
 
Plymouth students working on a group project