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A-Levels For Primary School Teaching

I Recently Did Work Experience At My Local Primary School And I Loved It!

I Wanted To Know What A-Levels People Took As I Want To Study Education At University

Much Appreciated

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Reply 1

balloon_parade

I took, Biology Psychology and P.E, but I think it depends on what you plan on specialising in though. If you want to specialise in say, Maths then you'd have to have a Maths A-level.

As far as primary teaching degrees go, as long as you get enough UCAS points then it is the interveiw that really swings it.

Reply 2

ipswichblade

I did ICT, Psychology and Sociology. Just go for what you think you'll enjoy because as above...it's the interview that's so important.

Reply 3

Zebrastripes

Do what you really enjoy, as you need a passion for your subjects. You could for example stick to the core curriculum subjects if you enjoy these, so English Lang (or both if they offer this), a science, and maths. But do something you enjoy!

Reply 4

username197472

In my uni 2/3 of the subjects have to be curricular subjects such as English lit, maths, rs, etc.

It really just depends where you go. :biggrin:

Reply 5

Laura373

PeachesX

I Recently Did Work Experience At My Local Primary School And I Loved It!

I Wanted To Know What A-Levels People Took As I Want To Study Education At University

Much Appreciated

I'm presuming you want to do primary education at Uni, because that and Education are two different things. Education won't lead to QTS (Qualified Teacher Status). Sorry if I've confused you!

Anyways, to answer your question: I want to do a degree in primary education aswell, and have chosen Biology, Chemistry, Psychology and ICT. I want to specialise in Science which is why I've done two sciences. I think Psychology isn't entirely relevant but the developmental aspect can come in handy.
Also, if your college offers the IB, have a serious think about that. That way, you can cover a lot of NC subjects.

Reply 6

Spotty Dog

For teaching, you really need to look at where you want to go before you make the choices - Unis vary wildly. Of my application, one uni wanted just A-Levels (they didn't mind what), two wanted "An A-Level in a core curriculum subject", and two wanted an A-Level in my chosen specialism (English) and a core curriculum a-level (If my specialism did not cover this.)

So if you jump in with three non-core - Business, psychology and socilogy, for example, you may be restricted in what unis you can apply to.

Reply 7

strawberry_princess

What counts as a national curriculum subject? Would Biology/Chemistry and Geography? Or is it literally like Maths and English?

Reply 8

Laura373

anything that you learn in primary school.
off the top of my head:
Maths
English
Science (Biology, Chemistry, Physics)
History
Geography
Art
Design Technology
MFL (French, German, Spanish or Italian most common)
RE
Music

Reply 9

username197472

strawberry_princess

What counts as a national curriculum subject? Would Biology/Chemistry and Geography? Or is it literally like Maths and English?

Yeah, all those subjects, e.g. bio/chem count as science, and geography is included too in the curriculum :yep:

Reply 10

Spotty Dog

Laura373

Modern Languages are not yet part of the compulsary curriculum - They are the moment a non-stat subject so do not have to be taught. However, by 2010 they will have to be taught - So some unis may consider them, some not. If MFL is your only A-Level in a "curriculum subject", I'd suggest asking unis in advance. Equally, RE changes with every county council and is not taught to the same curriculum in every school in the UK, so may also not be considered by the uni - Again, do ring and ask if it's your only NC subject.

(Not trying to get at you, Laura, just pointing out. :p:

Reply 11

strawberry_princess

Laura373

Thanks, I thought so but was just making sure that it didn't literally mean Maths, English, Science.

Reply 12

PeachesX

Say For Example You Did A English And History Degree And Then You Did A PGCE. Will You Still Be Able To Teach At A Primary School Level???

Reply 13

Spotty Dog

PeachesX

Say For Example You Did A English And History Degree And Then You Did A Postgraduate QTS. Will You Still Be Able To Teach At A Primary School Level???

Depends on your postgrad, but yes.

Reply 14

cherry_heart2047

Original post by Spotty Dog

which unis would say do primary school teaching and are the best uni can you give me some names thanks

Reply 15

gingerbreadman85

BEd places are fairly competitive, so pick something that you enjoy, but will also make you stand out!

For example, if you are good at maths/sciences then it is a good bet to have at least one of them. Not many people who do those A-levels go into primary teaching!

Remember though that you're going to have to teach pretty much anything, so a broad range of A-levels will be a help, both in your application and in preparing you to teach those subjects.

Your signature subjects look like a decent range :smile:

Reply 16

cherry_heart2047

Original post by gingerbreadman85

thanks for the information but do you know any unis that does primary education

Reply 17

gingerbreadman85

Original post by cherry_heart2047

thanks for the information but do you know any unis that does primary education

UCAS has a long list of them.
http://search.ucas.com/cgi-bin/hsrun/search/search/StateId/E-rnNNVIWEm2W1W2akT-A9dEV5HSy-V7J7/HAHTpage/search.HsKeywordSuggestion.whereNext?query=1571&word=EDUCATION+PRIMARY&single=N

Reply 18

cherry_heart2047

Original post by gingerbreadman85

thank you so much i really appreciate that

Reply 19

Sophcairnes

i would also like to be a primary school teacher after uni i'm looking at Newcastle and Sunderland uni i have chosen psychology sociology physics and English language are there all relevant or do i have to do maths as an an level?