Throughout the FDLT and BALT courses you will often need to read and refer to curriculum documents. 

These are some of the key documents:

For Early Years:

This is a link to the page where you can access and download the Statutory framework for the early years.

This is the reference that you will use in assignments:

DfE (2021) Statutory framework for the early years. GOV.UK [online] Available from: https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/596629/EYFS_STATUTORY_FRAMEWORK_2017.pdf [Accessed 12/07/21]. 

For primary and secondary:

This is the link to the full national curriculum for all key stages and subjects. It is this document that you should use in assignments.

This is the reference that you will use in assignments:

DfE (2014) National Curriculum in England: framework for key stages 1 to 4. GOV.UK [online[ Available from: https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/381344/Master_final_national_curriculum_28_Nov.pdf [Accessed: 15/07/2020].

It would be useful for you to save the relevant links, download the documents and read through the pages relevant to your age group.

You should also all read pages 1 to 13 of the national curriculum as this underlies the subject programmes of study. 

As you begin university you will need to consider where you are going to study at home and begin to prepare this space so that you are ready to use it from the beginning of September.

There are some hints and tips here that you might find useful. 

When you begin in year 1 you will be studying these modules:

PDT1065 Pupil Engagement and Assessment

PDT1066 Introduction to SEND, Diversity and Inclusion

PDT1068 English and Mathematics: Core Subjects

PDT1076 Using Digital Technology to Inspire and Support Learning

PDT1077 Work Based Reflection*

PDT1078 The Practitioner’s Role*

* (If you have chosen to take exemption from the work-based modules because you have HLTA you won’t study these modules)

If you are coming directly into year 2 you will be studying these modules:

PDT2016 Using experiences outside school to inspire and support learning

PDT2017 Planning and professional development

PDT2018 SEND, diversity and inclusion: school-based project

PDT2019 Work-based practice: reflective practices

PDT2020 English and mathematics: cross curricular approaches 

If you are starting in the BALT year you will be studying these modules:

PDT3007 Personal perspectives in professional practice

PDT3008 Interdisciplinary perspectives in professional practice

PDT3009 Education beyond boundaries 

PDT3010 Culture and identity in education

PDT4002 Research methods and dissertation

For new students to the FDLT and BALT courses:

Padlet is a digital tool that we often use for teaching. You do not need an account of your own to use it at this stage. When you are sent a link to a Padlet just click on it and you will be taken to a Padlet board with posts and links to useful information. 

Sometimes we will ask you to post on a Padlet. To do this you click on the pink plus sign at the bottom left hand corner of the screen. A box will open for you to type into. You can also upload a photo and add a link by using the icons at the bottom of the box.

On this Padlet you below you can explore the links but you cannot add to the Padlet yourself. We will be asking you to add to a Padlet later in August. Click below to open this Padlet and then click on each post to go to some useful and interesting websites.

As students about to start studying in Higher Education it is useful for you to know about people who work in the field of education. A useful way of beginning this is to listen to radio programmes such as The Educators. This is available on Radio 4 at here.

You might listen to the episode about mathematics educator, Jo Boaler and then try the episode about educational researcher, John Hattie and then just browse to listen to what takes your interest.

As you listen consider how what you are hearing relates to your own educational experience both as a pupil and as a student, and your professional experience in schools.

As you begin to study in Higher Education you’ll find that there are lots of sources of support. The Skills Hub at the University of Northampton is one of these. When you have enrolled as a student you will be able to access all of the resources but until then you can access the content under Academic Skills, How to Study and How to Research. You can find the Skills Hub here.

You might also wish to buy a study skills book such as The Study Skills Handbook by Stella Cottrell. This is a useful book in your first year, but also has useful sections to use in the second and third years. There is a supporting website here. Having said this there are many useful study skills books so you could have a browse and choose one that you like the look of.

As you begin in the course you will find plenty of study skills support available to you through your tutors in taught sessions and resources and people available to you through the university face to face and online. 

You might wish to follow and interact with your course on social media channels:

Twitter: @fdltuon

Instagram: @fdltuon

Pinterest: FD L and T

YouTube: FD L and T

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/fdltbaltuon/ 

The BALT groups and the FDLT groups start in week beginning 13th September, on your venue day. For each FDLT Y1 and BALT group day 1 will take place at Waterside.

FDLT Year 1

Monday: Waterside Campus, Northampton

Wednesday: Devonshire Place, Leicester (Waterside for Day 1 only)

FDLT Year 2

Tuesday: Devonshire Place, Leicester

Thursday: Waterside Campus, Northampton

BALT

Monday: Devonshire Place, Leicester (Waterside for day 1 only)

Wednesday: Waterside Campus Northampton.

Venue details:

LEICESTER

Devonshire Place, 78 London Road, LEICESTER, LE2 0RA

Parking: the car park is accessed via Prebend Street and is free for you to use on your student day.

NORTHAMPTON

Waterside Campus, University Drive, NORTHAMPTON, NN15PH.

Information about travel and transport for Waterside Campus is available here.