This course is for teachers and trainers working in Further Education Colleges, Adult and Community Learning Centres, 14-19 units in Schools and Academies, Private Training Organisations, Prison Education and the Public services (Police, Paramedics, Fire Service) The diploma is the new full teaching qualification for the further education sector. This qualification is designed to provide trainee teachers with the knowledge and skills to teach in a range of contexts.
The teacher training department is run by highly qualified and experienced staff. The department has a long history of excellent success rates which exceed the national averages on all courses.
The course covers the following units over 2 academic years:
The aim of the new diploma is to provide teachers, training and tutors in, or intending to enter, a full teaching role with the underpinning knowledge, understanding and skills in order to effectively fulfil the full teacher role and to progress to and claim Qualified Teacher Learning and Skills status (QTLS).
Successful candidates have gone on to achieve Qualified Teaching and Learning Skills (QTLS) status and/or have secured permanent teaching employment or progressed on to further studies in education.
Lessons will typically consist of active learning in a classroom environment. You will also have access to high quality guest speakers who will share their expertise around safeguarding, using technology in the classroom and managing classroom behaviour. You will also learn on the job through your teaching practice and reflecting on your practice.
You will complete a variety of assessments including group presentations, written tasks and recorded discussions. At the end of each year your will present a portfolio of evidence which demonstrates that you have met the assessment criteria of the taught units. You will also undergo a minimum of 10 one-hour observations of your teaching practice across the two years of study; at least 2 of these observations will be of live remote delivery.
Over the 2 years candidates the minimum required placement hours are 250 hours:
This must include at least 150 hours of teaching practice, of these:
In addition to time spent in classes in college, you will be expected to spend approximately 8 hours per week undertaking academic research, completing specific online training and producing work for assessment. You will also need a subject specialist mentor who meets with you weekly to support you to plan your development steps.
NCFE Level 5 Diploma in Teaching FE and Skills (In-Service)
Higher Education study, University
There are no other specific costs associated with the programme. Throughout the course students have access to a well-stocked library and have free access to Society of Education (SET) and Education Training Foundation (ETF) training resources and Microsoft TEAMs platform where class resources and additional reading materials are uploaded weekly.
Teaching
Students must have at least a Level 3 qualification in a subject specialism they teach in. A degree, or Level 3 or 4 professional qualification is also favourable.
Students must have a paid or volunteer teaching placement in the subject they want to teach in which amounts to 250 hours; with a minimum of 150 hours of teaching across the two years of the course. The placement must involve working with learners aged 14+ and include all aspects of planning, delivering and assessing learning. Students must also have access to a subject specialist mentor who can commit to weekly meetings and completing 5 observations across the 2 years of the course. Students are responsible for making placement arrangements.
The course is based on the Professional Standards for Teachers and Trainers in education in England (2022) which you can access here Professional Standards for Teachers and Trainers (et-foundation.co.uk) Maintaining good attendance and punctuality throughout the course and demonstrating effective time management and organisation skills in order to meet assignment deadlines are expectations of professionalism while on the course.
You are expected have a Level 2 qualification in English and Maths prior to enrolment. All candidates undergo initial assessments in reading and writing to ensure your current literacy skills will enable you to complete written assessments.
All students must pay the full fee for HE courses. Course fees can be paid in up to 3 instalments each academic year. A student loan facility is available for Higher Education courses. Further information is available at: https://www.gov.uk/apply-for-student-finance
To cover tuition fees, loans are available from the government. You may also get support towards your living costs. The amount you can borrow depends on where you live and your household income. There is also extra support for those with special circumstances, for example, if you have children or adult dependants, a disability, long-term health condition, mental-health condition, or specific learning difficulty such as dyslexia or dyspraxia. Please be aware that unless expressly stated, the cost of your course is for a single year only.
There are a number of United Colleges Group policies which directly affect Higher Education students. Please see all related policies below. For further United Colleges Group policies, please see the link below in the footer of our website or click this link.
Higher Education Terms and Conditions
HE Access and Participation Statement
HE Student Protection Plan
Higher Education Student Support
The College does not have facilities to host students in-house. For guidance on finding accommodation please contact our Student Advisors.
Please note that to ensure students get the best experience possible, our Higher Education courses will run subject to numbers. If we are unable to meet our minimum threshold, we will aim to direct you to a provider who has a similar offer.