The University Centre Wigan & Leigh College is offering a new, part-time teaching degree course run in partnership with Edge Hill University that will create new opportunities for local people.
The part-time BA (Hons) Primary Education with QTS course starts in September 2022 and will provide residents from Wigan and the surrounding area the chance to study a teaching degree within their local community.
The new four-year course will be delivered at the College’s University Centre by Edge Hill’s leading academics and is ideal for current teaching assistants or others already working in a school setting, who are wishing to progress their careers or people looking to make a career change into primary teaching.
Associate Dean of Edge Hill’s Faculty of Education Dr Helen O’Keeffe said: “Edge Hill has been committed to opportunities for all since its beginnings as the very first non-denominational teacher training college for women. Today, we are one of the largest providers of teacher training education in the North West and are at the forefront of developing the next generation of professionals in the sector.
“We are proud to be offering this new degree course in the heart of Wigan, opening up new opportunities for local people and developing new teachers for schools in the area. It is also another important milestone in our growing partnership with Wigan and Leigh College.”
This course has come as a result of a new collaboration between Wigan Council, Wigan, Wrightington and Leigh Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust (WWL), Wigan and Leigh College and Edge Hill University with a focus on boosting education, health and economic prospects for Wigan. The aim of the partnership is to improve local opportunities to develop people’s skills and employment in the future
With the UK facing a national shortage of teaching staff, the delivery of this new degree will result in an increase in local primary teachers in the borough of Wigan.
The part-time BA (Hons) Primary Education with QTS equips students with all the qualities needed for a rewarding and challenging role, nurturing young minds between the ages of 5-11. The course includes practical placement experience and the opportunity to develop an individual teaching philosophy, along with the essential professional skills required for a career in primary teaching.
College Principal, Anna Dawe said: “We are delighted with this announcement, giving more opportunities for our local residents to study higher education within the town rather than having to go further afield.
“The college has a proud history of providing teacher education and we’re delighted that we can add to that local offer with a provider such as Edge Hill University who have a strong national reputation in teacher training. This offers an accessible degree opportunity to local residents who wish to become the teachers of tomorrow. For some of our residents having this provision on their doorstep makes a teaching career a reality. It also enables students to plan their qualification journey in one place with the benefit of the college and Edge Hill working together to provide the best learning experience. Many of our students progress to teaching degrees upon completion of their studies at college, and this gives them the opportunity to stay local and take advantage of all the benefits that brings.”
To find out more about the course, come along to an Open Evening on Monday 31st January, 4.30pm – 7.30pm at Wigan & Leigh College, Parsons Walk, Wigan or visit Edge Hill’s website to read more about the course and apply for a place today.
January 18, 2022
