Welcome to your Education Studies course

Welcome to University of Staffordshire

We know you're already passionate about your subject, which is why we're excited you've chosen University of Staffordshire as the place to turn possibility into reality.

To give you an insight into what life as an Education Studies student is like, your course leaders have prepared introductions to the course and further activities.

Welcome to the BA (Hons) Education Studies with optional pathways in Special Educational Needs and Disabilities, Mental Health and Wellbeing or Education for Our Sustainable World.

Starting at university is an exciting time and we want you to have a positive experience and so preparation is important. There is an introduction to the course in these pages and also some activities to help you settle quickly.

If you have any questions or need more information, you can contact the Course Leader by email Alyson.jolley@staffs.ac.uk.

Course Delivery

Education Studies will provide you with an opportunity to meet a range of educational experts as well as working with students from the Early Childhood Studies course. You will participate in many different learning experiences with teaching and learning sessions taking place in classrooms, lecture spaces and tutorial rooms. However, we also use outdoor learning, the natural environment and our campus facilities such as the nature reserve and forest school.

You will also work with different groups, from whole classroom learning to smaller project groups. You will be in university for at least two days a week. You will also encounter educational experiences in a variety of settings, and these are dependent on your interests and pathway.

Check out our Forest School Fun

Join us on Social Media

Join our Social Media accounts for the Institute of Education so you can feel a part of the IOE family before you arrive.

You’ll see what we post, links to relevant news articles, developments within the sector, employability support and things going on in our courses.

Following this account will give you the opportunity to do some pre-reading and research before you join the course.

Visit our Instagram Page

Semester One Activities

The first few weeks at university are special as it is important to meet and make new friends, find your way around university and build your potential. University study offers so much potential for your future career.

In the first few weeks you will experience Welcome Week which is a chance to meet everyone who will teach you, learn about your timetable and your course. We will spend time thinking about university study and then introduce you to the semester one modules. In the first few weeks of university, there is an opening project about the purpose of a school and thinking about schools of the future.

We want you to feel an important part of our educational community.

Pre-Learning

An exciting part of our course is learning about and using educational technologies. You will be invited to a Teams site so that you can meet your student group and your tutors online.

As you embark on your degree it is important to read about what is happening in education across the world. Here are two websites that reveal some of the important educational developments taking place now :

Homepage | Tes Magazine

Schools Week | The latest schools & education news

You might want to read about the educational system. A useful book is:

An Introduction to Education Studies (Fifth Edition): Steve Bartlett and Diana Burton (2020).

Current educational news stories are also important and so you might dip into:

Education news, opinion and guides | The Guardian or for a different view

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/education.

Free Downloadable Software

Software link:

https://staffsuniversity.sharepoint.com/sites/software/SitePages/Home.aspx

Education studies students will benefit from using a laptop during their studies. It is helpful if you are familiar with Microsoft 365 and in particular word and PowerPoint. We also use Microsoft Teams for one to one work with tutors and small project work in groups. We use email to share important information using your student email account.

We will use a Virtual Learning Environment (VLE) during your studies called Blackboard and will support you in accessing and using this site.

Trips and Activities

We have a range of activities and experiences which will develop your educational professional profile. We will work on projects in our local community, we will visit the forest school and nature reserve. There is the choice of an educational trip in the second semester and our student IOE and Me Day.

Click to see the IOE & Me Celebrations

Join a Society

Education studies students have participated in many societies at the university. Last year students participated in sports clubs, the Education Society, the Amateur Dramatics Society, the Parent and Carer Network, the Equestrian Society and many more.

All Student Groups: https://www.staffsunion.com/getinvolved/clubsandsocieties/ (filter to see all academic groups).

Current Academic Societies:

Accounting & Finance: https://www.staffsunion.com/activities/society/25507/

Biology: https://www.staffsunion.com/activities/society/biosoc/

Education: https://www.staffsunion.com/activities/society/staffsedsoc/

Engineering: https://www.staffsunion.com/activities/society/theies/

FACS: https://www.staffsunion.com/activities/society/facs/

Fashion: https://www.staffsunion.com/activities/society/fashionsociety/

Humanities: https://www.staffsunion.com/activities/society/humanities/

Law: https://www.staffsunion.com/activities/society/lawsociety/

Bonus Group - Debating: https://www.staffsunion.com/activities/society/21294/

How to set up a new group: https://staffordshire.eu.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_0CG5LLyaUvS8eVv

Group Committee Resource & Support Area: https://www.staffsunion.com/managementhub/

Developing You (personal development resources): https://www.staffsunion.com/developingyou/

Meet the team

Amanda Tayler

Senior Lecturer

I am an early years specialist with a specific interest in our workforce. I take great pride in managing this course and educating the next generation of practitioners to lead practice and change the lives of young children. 

Amanda's profile

Dr Jo Basford

Course Director Assoc Prof

Education is transformative. It enables us to see the world differently, to challenge our thinking and to try new things. My ambition is that student’s learning with the Institute of Education will be a transformative experience.

Jo's profile

What to expect on Welcome Week

We're so excited for you to join us on campus and to welcome you to where you matter. During your welcome week you'll be able to meet our friendly student services teams, connect with new friends, join societies, explore on-campus venues attend club nights and much more.

We look forward to welcoming you to the campus in September.

If you have any questions, please send them to Course Leader Alyson Jolley , email Alyson.jolley@staffs.ac.uk.

The Education Studies Course Team