FdA Professional Development

Summary 2012/13

• Boost your career by studying with the UK's largest provider of Foundation Degrees for school support staff to gain a work-related qualification designed, developed and supported by employers.
• Easy access to learning, even if you've not considered higher education before, with flexible entry requirements and extensive support tailored to your individual needs.
• Specifically designed for all non-teaching staff in schools and allows you to study without having to stop working.

This course will develop your existing skills and knowledge of working in schools to give you an official qualification that will boost your career prospects. It could help you to progress both within your working role and within education, potentially leading to further study and higher qualifications.

2012 Entry Requirements

The minimum entry requirement is relevant experience of work (typically six months) within a school or similar setting either as a volunteer or through employment. It is desirable that applicants have the equivalent of a Level 3 qualification but this is not essential.

Details

Who is this course for?

If you are currently working in a non-teaching role in a school, and would like to further your professional and personal development on a course that allows you to study without having to stop working, this course is for you.

What will I gain from this programme?

Professional training, delivered to the highest of standards, to help you gain relevant skills and knowledge that can be directly applied to your work, and a recognised qualification that can help you progress in your career.

How we will support you

No matter what your background, or existing qualifications, you will receive all the help and support you need to successfully complete this course.

Your personal tutor will be on hand to offer you guidance on anything from academic writing and assignment planning to other non-academic issues. You will also have unlimited telephone and email support, to ensure that you are supported every step of the way.

We also run special schemes (Fastrack and Fast Forward) to help prepare you for higher education if you have been out of learning for some time and need additional support. To find out more, call 0800 195 5063 or email enquiries@edgehill.ac.uk.

What will I study?

You’ll study a series of modules, all of which are worth 30 credits. To gain the full Foundation Degree in Professional Development, you’ll need to gain 240 credits in total. However, you will receive a University Certificate in Professional Development after you have completed the first two modules (60 credits).

Some modules tackle general subjects, such as team-working and behaviour management; others are specific to the area in which you work. You can choose to specialise in one of six areas, depending on which is most appropriate to your role:

• Administration
• Business and Management
• Design and Technology
• ICT
• Pupil Support
• Science

The programme covers various areas directly related to your role, including:

• How legislation affects your role, both now and in the future.
• Improving your team-working skills, both internally and externally with other professionals.
• Successfully managing the behaviour of the pupils you work with.
• Successfully dealing with the needs of a diverse range of children and maximising inclusion.

How will I study?

A combination of academic study and practical, work-based learning will give you all the knowledge and skills you need to succeed.

You have a choice of two learning options:

• Face-to-face tutoring. Typically one session (afternoon and evening) a week, over ten-week blocks.
• Flexible. Online learning with occasional study days (one induction day, plus one face-to-face tutoring session per term).

Who will be teaching me?

The teaching team have vast experience in schools and education settings and specialist tutors will enable you to develop a deeper understanding of your particular area.

How will I be assessed?

Assessment is through a variety of methods, including coursework, group and individual presentations, production of materials etc.

Part of your prior learning and experience may be taken into account as part of your course, through Assessment of Prior Learning (APL) or Assessment of Prior Experiential Learning (APEL), within the limitations defined in Edge Hill's Academic Regulations.

What are my career prospects?

This course will give you a recognised qualification that confirms you have the skills and knowledge that employers in your career sector want and fits in with the Government's strategy for developing the wider children's educational workforce.

Professional Accreditation

• Foundation Degree Forward (fdf) / Skills for Business Network: endorsed by employers as fit for purpose

Further study at Edge Hill University

You could seamlessly progress on to degree study - on completion of this course, you have the option of studying for a further 18 months towards BA (Hons) Professional Development.

How do I apply?

Apply directly to Edge Hill University. Download application form (pdf) and notes for guidance (pdf).

See our How to Apply pages for more information on the application process and our Admissions criteria.

Fees and Finance

Tuition fees for part-time study on this foundation degree are £50 per credit for academic year 2012/13; i.e. £500 per 10 credit module, £750 per 15 credit module, £1,000 per 20 credit module and £1,500 per 30 credit module. A total of 240 credits are required to complete a foundation degree.

Eligible students will not have to pay upfront for their tuition. The cost of tuition will be paid by a loan which you will only start to repay once you have finished the course and are earning over £21,000 a year.

For more information on the financial support available for part-time foundation degree students in academic year 2012/13, visit www.edgehill.ac.uk/foundationfees2012pt.

Please note, the above information is for UK and eligible EU students only.

Awards

• Foundation Degree
• University Certificate

Where can I find out more?

If you would like to receive a copy of our prospectus or be kept updated about forthcoming events, contact the Course Information, Advice and Guidance Team by emailing study@edgehill.ac.uk or calling 01695 657000.

If you want to attend one of our open events held throughout the year, visit www.edgehill.ac.uk/opendays to book your place.

You will also find Edge Hill University staff at many national careers fairs and UCAS events.

Still want more?

If you have any questions you would like to ask the programme leader about this course, please contact:

• Sue Graves, Faculty of Education, Edge Hill University, St Helens Road, Ormskirk, Lancashire, L39 4QP
• Tel: 01695 584849
• Email: gravess@edgehill.ac.uk

Modules

Year 1

FFD1000 Personal and Professional Development in a Work Based Context offers a framework for the identification of training needs for students in a variety of settings and roles. You will analyse your individual training needs and produce an action plan and evaluation. This module is also designed to analyse the professional development needs of the wider school workforce whether this is identified centrally in Government, Local Authority policies or more locally by specific setting or individual challenges.

You will complete a Training Needs Analysis (TNA) using the National Occupational Standards appropriate to your role and develop an action plan and portfolio for demonstrating you have engaged in training and development activities to meet these Standards. You will also reflect on your personal and professional development as part of this process.

FFD1101 Introduction to the Current Educational Context, Legislation, Policies and Initiatives Impacting on Schools / Settings and their Workforce provides background knowledge and understanding of national and local government policy and practice, legislation and initiatives in the current context. A heightened knowledge and awareness of legislative requirements, and effective practice in relation to roles and responsibilities and how colleagues work together in changing contexts, is imperative for all members of the workforce in educational settings. The module introduces you to the current emphasis on working with parents, families and carers to meet the requirements of the Every Child Matters: Change for Children Outcomes Framework and the changing roles and responsibilities in the Children’s Professional workforce. You will be able to draw specifically on your own range of employment and workplace contexts to look at the impact of legislation on roles and responsibilities and resultant professional development needs and actions. It also provides the opportunity for a number of information literacy and academic writing skills to be supported, developed and assessed.

FFD1100 Working with Other People: Roles, Teamwork and Partnership in the Changing Multi-Professional Workplace focuses on the application of basic ‘team’ theory to the workforce allowing you to consider your current practice. You will develop knowledge of management theories relating to individuals and groups within organisations. You will also be enabled to strengthen and develop further understanding of your ‘team’ role through a deeper appreciation of the workings of organisations and by evaluating behaviour in your own working context. You will be able to draw specifically on your own range of employment and workplace contexts to look at the impact of legislation on roles and responsibilities. Examples of Optional Modules

FFD1102 Supporting Pupils in Schools / Settings responds to the recognised need to focus support on children with particular health, learning, emotional, social and/or behavioural difficulties. Support staff already play an essential role in supporting the provision of quality education in schools and other settings. However, as schools move into the re-modelling agenda and seek ways to implement the National Agreement, the roles of support staff are changing. This module will examine how schools will develop their workforce in a way which meets local needs and contexts and how they may be looking to develop new roles for support staff with a view to raising standards and tackling workload issues.

FFD1103 Supporting Business Management and Administration in Schools / Settings allows you to investigate the school business environment and identify the key internal and external influences that impact on education management and administration. The content will allow you to engage practically with the school setting and foster vocational learning.

Year 2

FFD2000 Reflective Tasks on Work Based Learning develops your vocational skills and knowledge in a specific context through a process of reflection, analysis and target setting, with specified self-directed study and planned and agreed work experiences. It requires collaboration between the mentor, the employer, Edge Hill and yourself, where you take ownership of your own professional development.

You will have the opportunity to develop your practice through planned work-based experience, self-directed study with the help of online learning resources, the mentor’s expertise and resources in your workplace. This development will be managed, monitored and assessed both in the workplace by a mentor and by a nominated tutor.

FFD2200 Working Safely with Other People, Children and Young People is designed to enable you to advance your skills in creating a safe environment for children and young people and others.

FFD2203 Mentoring and Coaching Other Professionals in the Workplace is designed to meet the increasing expertise required in coaching and mentoring needed by those working with the wider school workforce. The module aims to give you the capability to coach others in the workplace and to be confident to act as a mentor developing people’s performance in their work roles and supporting them in their career development and personal growth

Examples of Optional Modules

FFD2102 Developing Support Roles in Schools / Settings builds on the knowledge and skills gained in year 1 in developing support roles in schools and other settings. You will already be playing an essential role in supporting the provision of quality education and this module responds to the need to focus support on children with particular learning, emotional, social and/or behavioural difficulties. It will enhance your ability to deal with a range of pupils needs, providing a theoretical background and practical advice in supporting pupils who experience generic difficulties in accessing and understanding learning and the curriculum. It provides the opportunity for individual research of an aspect of professional practice to facilitate the pursuit of personal interests or professional needs.

FFD2103 Developing Business Management and Administration Roles in Schools / Settings explores the importance of understanding national, corporate and public sector culture and how these factors impact upon the effective management of change in educational organisations. You will analyse culture, change and diversity and how these have impacted on the business performance in your own school or setting.