Professional Practice Programme 2022/2023

The majority of our Professional Development Courses are taught online, unless noted.

Promoting and Celebrating Equality Diversity and Inclusion (EDI) in the Classroom (Online)

Tutor: Anne Rowan

This 4 week course covers topics such as: developing Intercultural competences and celebrating diversity, challenging unconscious bias, tackling Microagressions within the classroom as well as inclusive practices in pastoral care, teaching and assessment.

Ideas and Activities for teaching Primary Science through Practical Enquiry (On Campus)

Tutor: Dr John McCullagh

Teaching science through enquiry has many benefits. Children are naturally curious about the world around them and learn best through practical activities. This course will provide a rationale for developing children’s understanding of science through practical enquiry tasks and include examples of activities which can be carried out with all age groups. The course will also explore how teachers might develop the profile of science enquiry within their own school.

During the course participants will have the opportunity to:

• Carry out a number of practical activities.
• Explore primary science resources.
• Plan how they might include more hands-on activities within their World Around Us topics.

SEN First (Online)

Tutors: Mrs Lois Totton, plus guest lectures each week

This course is an exciting opportunity for educational professionals and parents to come together to learn more about a range of special educational needs (SEN). The course is suited to a wide range of educational professionals, especially those in mainstream education, who would benefit from acquiring a basic overview of and introduction to SEN. This is a practical, professional development course rather than an in-depth Master’s module. It may therefore be ideal for those whose initial training did not include SEN in detail, or those who feel they need a refresher course. SEN FIRST students from previous years have included teachers (nursery, primary and post-primary), classrooms assistants, parents, voluntary sector workers, museum assistants, early year’s professionals and youth workers.

Students can opt to attend individual sessions or all sessions gaining a Certificate of Attendance or complete a short reflective assignment, and gain a Certificate of Attainment.

Keeping them Safe Online – E-Safety and Digital Safeguarding for Schools (Online)

Tutor: Dr Deborah Webster

Children and young people are spending more time online and using devices at a younger age. Despite the many social and educational benefits that this brings, increased access to the online space exposes them to risks and negative online experiences.

This new, interactive course will explore the issues and challenges faced by children and young people, and by parents and educators as they seek to protect them online. Drawing on national and international research evidence, participants will learn about the risks to young people online: content (e.g. pornography), contact (e.g. grooming) and conduct (e.g. sexting and cyberbullying). They will also explore ways that teachers and parents can help children and young people to increase their digital resilience so they can enjoy the many benefits to the online space while keeping safe.

Teaching Newcomer Pupils in Primary and Post Primary Education (Online)

Tutor: Anne Rowan

This course will equip teachers and support staff in Primary and Post-Primary Education with the knowledge and skills to teach and support Newcomer pupils. It will take learners through the key concepts and ideas linked to teaching methodologies in this area and provide practical methods that can be applied when teaching and assessing Newcomer pupils. It will also focus on policies and legislation in relation to Newcomer pupils, roles and responsibilities of staff, problems in the classroom, the initial assessment process and information on external guidance. It is a highly practical course that encourages discussion to explore and share ideas.