Ambitious teachers and trainers can now take a more innovative approach to studying an education and training degree in Cornwall thanks to the new flexible structure of the University level course.

The BA (Hons) Education and Training degree at Truro and Penwith College has been redesigned to reflect the ever-changing modern education system and its proposed alterations over the next five years.

Donna Harvey, mother of three and mature student from Penryn has just completed her Childhood Education foundation degree and will be studying the BA (Hons) Education and Training degree in September this year.

She said: “The new degree course re-vamp is so exciting – my confidence has grown so much throughout the two year foundation degree, I can’t wait to see what I can achieve in the third year!”

“I’m really looking forward to my three daughters seeing me graduate, showing them that mum’s can work too. The best part of this so far is when my 12 year old daughter said to me ‘I’m proud of you mum’, it really summed up my achievements” she added.

The degree, being taught at TEF Gold-rated Truro and Penwith College, promises to provide a pathway into teaching for both internal students at the College as well as external applicants.

Dr Andrew Smart, Programme Team Leader for Higher Education commended the current offer of education programmes including the existing PGCE and Cert Ed courses, taught in partnership with Plymouth University.

Andrew said: “Truro and Penwith College is the only institution in the county offering education and training courses that can be backed up by the Teaching Excellence Framework (TEF) Gold-rating and Ofsted Outstanding status – we know how to provide excellent teaching and learning!”

Following consultation with existing FdA Childhood Education students, two Multi Academy Trusts, Cornwall SCITT, the Cornwall Teaching School and Deputy Head Teachers from three individual primary schools, the programme was approved with flying colours.

The Approval Panel at Plymouth University praised the student centred approach taken by the College in the developmental stages. The degree now contains three new modules to reflect theories surrounding contemporary issues in education and training, innovative technologies in education and training and education leadership.

98% of current degree students were satisfied with the outstanding teaching and learning opportunities now available to them. It is also confirmed by external examiners that students believe subject tutors to be very motivated and highly skilled within their area of expertise.

The one-year top-up degree has been designed to complement existing education courses offered at the College such as FdA Childhood Education and FdA Children and Young People’s Workforce. However, the course is also available to any student who has already achieved a Foundation Degree or equivalent, alongside their application and interview.

With work-related learning and employability elements embedded into modules, the course ensures that students will be ready to take on the challenges of employment in the education sector after graduating.

To find out more about the course and other education qualifications available, please visit the website: www.truro-penwith.ac.uk/uni