Cambridgeshire – Introduction to Working in Schools and Colleges

Additional information about this course

In order to be eligible for a free course, students must be over 19 and live in one of the following areas: East Cambridgeshire, Fenland, Huntingdonshire, Cambridge City and South Cambridgeshire

Course aim

To give those interested in working in schools the background knowledge and confidence to become an effective helper in a school and /or to help their children’s learning at home.

Do I need any particular skills or experience?

• No skills or experience needed
• This course is for beginners
• This course is suitable for beginners and improvers
• Students need a Level 1 qualification in English to join this course

By the end of the course I should be able to:

• Identify 3 ways children can develop their learning through play
• List 3 practical strategies to support children’s development in literacy
• List 3 practical strategies to support children’s development in maths
• List 3 practical strategies for encouraging children’s social, emotional and behavioural development
• Identify relevant skills and knowledge to help you with your career goals.

How will I be taught?

• The WEA’s digital learning platform, Canvas will be used to provide resources or to support lessons, enable assessment, provide learner feedback and for other activities for individuals away from the course. If you want to understand more about our digital learning platform please visit: http://bit.ly/WEAonline
• The WEA tutor will use a range of different teaching and learning methods and encourage you and the group to be actively involved in your learning
• Activities may include tutor presentation, small group work, working in pairs, class discussions, short tasks and research

What kind of feedback can I expect?

• A range of informal activities will be used by the tutor to see what you are learning which may include quizzes, question and answer, small projects and discussion
• You will have opportunities to discuss your progress with your tutor
• You will be encouraged to share your work with the group and discuss your learning

What else do I need to know?

• What you need: You will need an internet connection, speakers, a microphone and a webcam so that you can use our video learning platform, Zoom. If you’d like to understand more Zoom please visit: http://bit.ly/ZoomSpec
• You will need a personal email address to join the WEA’s digital learning platform, Canvas so that you can receive resources, record your progress and achievement and to work with others and share ideas. If you want to understand more about our digital learning platform please visit: http://bit.ly/WEAonline

Pre-course work, reading and information sources

• No pre reading or pre course work is required

What can I do next?

• Progress to another WEA course
• Progress to a course with another provider
• Become involved with the WEA in a range of voluntary work and other activities including campaigning as a WEA member
• You could progress to Higher Education courses. Follow link to the PEARL website for information http://pearl.open.ac.uk/
• Access the WEA What Next? booklet here http://www.wea.org.uk/learn-wea/what-can-i-do-next
• Progress to another WEA course on the schools and parenting Pathway – eg the Level 2 teaching assistant courses or the L2 SEND course