Bachelor of Education Degree

Bachelor of Education Degree Contents The B.Ed. Programme 2 Numbers admitted 2 The Church of Ireland College of Education 4 Student facilities 3 Accommodation 3 Library 3 Societies and Sport 3 Entry requirements and admission procedures for school leavers 5-8 Entry requirements and admission procedures for mature students 9-11 Other Information Suitability Interview 12 Professional Suitability 12 Deferred Entry 13 Open Day 13 B A C H E L O R O F E D U C A T I O N D E G R E E Page 1

Bachelor of Education, the Church of Ireland College of Education Bachelor of Education (B.Ed), The Church of Ireland College of Education CE001 The Bachelor of Education programme prepares you for your primary teaching career. The B.Ed offered in the Church of Ireland College of Education is a four-year full-time programme of study. It leads to a level 8 degree qualification recognised by the Teaching Council of Ireland, the body that registers and regulates the teaching profession. The Church of Ireland College of Education is committed to ensuring that the graduates of its B.Ed programme are innovative, caring, inclusive primary teachers. Your studies take place in the College, in Gaeltacht placements and in a range of primary schools. The College programme, which covers the full primary curriculum as well as practical and theoretical education studies, is delivered through seminars, tutorials and workshops The programme is assessed through a combination of examinations, continuous assessment and practical assessment. B A C H E L O R O F E D U C A T I O N D E G R E E Page 2

In first year, you will spend 5 weeks both observing and teaching in placement schools, focusing on children in 1 st to 3 rd classes. You will study teaching approaches and content for the full range of primary subjects taught to those age groups. You will be introduced to psychology, history, sociology, philosophy and curriculum studies. You will spend two weeks on a Gaeltacht placement and have a two-week College-based intensive Irish course. In second year, you will spend 8 weeks both observing and teaching in placement schools, focusing on children in 4 th to 6 th classes. You will study teaching approaches and content for the full range of primary subjects taught to those age groups. You will continue your studies in psychology, history, sociology, philosophy and curriculum studies. You will study inclusive education and begin to learn specific strategies for working in multi-level classes in small schools. You will spend two weeks on a Gaeltacht placement. In third year, you will spend 8 weeks both observing and teaching in placement schools, focusing on children in junior and senior infants. You will study teaching approaches and content for the full range of primary subjects taught to those age groups. You will continue your studies in inclusive education and continue to learn specific strategies for working in multi-level classes in small schools. You will also study early childhood education. In fourth year, you will spend 10 weeks both observing and teaching in a placement school. You will specialise in literacy and numeracy in the primary school and technology-enhanced learning. You will also study a module on assessment in the primary school. You will select a number of specialisms from a range of modules including a focus on inclusive education, teaching in small schools, positive approaches to behaviour management, school leadership, arts education, education for sustainability and education for healthy living. You will complete a school-focused dissertation based on a selected specialist topic. Numbers Admitted The Department of Education and Skills permits the College to admit a maximum of thirty-two students per year to the B.Ed. programme. Places which may be reserved for mature students are included in this number. B A C H E L O R O F E D U C A T I O N D E G R E E Page 3

The Church of Ireland College of Education The Church of Ireland College of Education has a key role in providing a supply of teachers for primary schools under the management of the Church of Ireland and other Protestant denominations. At present, all 32 places that the College is permitted to offer are reserved for those belonging to the various reformed Christian denominations including the Church of Ireland, the Presbyterian Church, the Methodist Church, the Society of Friends and the Baptists. All entrants to the B.Ed programme must also be aware of and willing to support the distinctive ethos of Protestant primary schools. The College also provides post-graduate programmes for qualified teachers in the areas of learning support and inclusive education. The College is currently situated in Rathmines, Dublin 6 which is a popular student area with good services and facilities. The College moved to its present position in 1968, having previously been situated in Kildare Place, near the heart of the city, for over 150 years. The Church of Ireland Training College, as it was then known, became a state-recognised teacher training institution in 1884 but its development dates from 1811 when the Society for Promoting the Education of the Poor in Ireland began training teachers in Kildare Place. Student Facilities All students in the College are members of the Students' Union, and representatives are elected annually to various committees including the Board of Governors of the College and various academic committees. Students also organise, and conduct, a number of societies and clubs as well as a regular programme of social activities. Accommodation On-campus accommodation in the Church of Ireland College of Education is open to female and male students. It includes the Residential Block and two other houses on the campus. Each student has his or her own study bedroom. The residential block contains a number of common rooms as well as the Student Common Room on the ground floor. Meals are available to all students in the College Dining Hall and, in addition, kitchen facilities are provided. Library All students are members of the College Library and have borrowing facilities. The Library contains books and other resources related to all the theoretical and practical aspects of the B.Ed. The Library catalogue is fully computerised and the College uses Moodle to make materials and resources available electronically. The Library plays a major role in providing information and resources to students on Teaching Practice. Students have full access to a wide range of electronic library resources during their fourth year to coincide with their specific research and study needs. Societies and Sport The most active societies in College are the Entertainment Society, An Cumann Gaelach and the Christian Union. Sports facilities provided on the campus in Rathmines include hockey, table tennis and badminton. There is a College Choir led by the music lecturer. B A C H E L O R O F E D U C A T I O N D E G R E E Page 4

Entry Requirements and Admission Procedures for School Leavers General Requirements 1.1 Application: Applications for admission should be made to the Central Applications Office (CAO), Tower House, Eglinton Street, Galway, using the course code CE001. Applicants are referred to the CAO/CAS joint handbook for details of application dates and procedures. Please note that the Bachelor in Education degree is a restricted application course. Applications will not be considered by the College unless the course has been listed by the applicant in an application received by the CAO not later than 1st February in the year in which admission is sought. Mature applicants are required to apply via the CAO by 1 st February in the year in which admission is sought. 1.2 Age Limits: Candidates must be at least 16 years old on the 15 January and not more than 22 years old on 2 January in the year of entry to the College. 1.3 Capacity to undertake the full requirements of the programme: Those who are admitted to the degree programme must be capable of undertaking all component courses successfully and capable of undertaking full responsibility for the care and safety of children when engaged in teaching practice. 1.4 Religious Denomination: It is the responsibility of the Church of Ireland College of Education to provide a supply of teachers for schools under the management of the Protestant churches. The Religious Education Certificate, which is offered as an additional element of the course is directed towards the requirements of the Religious Education programme in these schools. At present, all 32 places that the College is permitted to offer are reserved for those belonging to the various reformed Christian denominations including the Church of Ireland, the Presbyterian church, the Methodist church, the Society of Friends and the Baptists. All entrants to the B.Ed programme must also be aware of and willing to support the distinctive ethos of Protestant primary schools. 1.5 Suitability: Eligible candidates are required to attend and pass a qualifying interview for the course and College in order to be considered for places. Interviews are normally held around Easter. Candidates must attend at their own expense. 1.6 Academic Requirements: To be considered for admission, applicants must have obtained the specified qualifications in either the Leaving Certificate Examination or Northern Ireland GCSE and GCE/ A Level Examination. B A C H E L O R O F E D U C A T I O N D E G R E E Page 5

Leaving Certificate - Requirements 2.1 General Requirements: (a) Grade C3 on a Higher Level paper in not less than three subjects. (b) Grade D3 in three other subjects in accordance with the Rules and Programmes for Secondary Schools. * Note: A Link Module of the Leaving Certificate Vocational Programme may be presented as one of the six subjects for the calculation of points but will not qualify as a subject for matriculation purposes. Obligatory Subjects: (c) Grade C on a Higher Level paper in Irish. Students with Grade D3 on Higher Level or C3 on Ordinary Level may be offered places but only if there are insufficient candidates with the honours Irish requirement. Candidates with D3 on Higher Level Irish take precedence over those who have obtained Grade C3 at Ordinary Level. (d) Grade C3 on Ordinary Level or D3 on Higher Level English. (e) Grade D3 in Mathematics (either Ordinary or Higher Level). 2.1 Ranking of Candidates: The best six subjects in a single sitting of the Leaving Certificate Examination (pre- or post-l992) will be counted for points purposes in accordance with CAO/CAS procedures. Where two or more candidates obtain the same total of points a random selection procedure will be applied. While the minimum grades in the subjects Irish, English and Mathematics specified above need not be obtained at that single sitting of the Leaving Certificate Examination, candidates should note the requirement to achieve a minimum of Grade C on three Higher Level papers and Grade D in three other subjects in one single sitting of the Leaving Certificate. B A C H E L O R O F E D U C A T I O N D E G R E E Page 6

Northern Ireland GCSE and GCE/A Level Examinations - Requirements General Requirements 3.1 Six subjects from the NISCEA syllabi must be presented, including three subjects from the GCE / A Level syllabus. A subject can be counted at only one level of examination. 3.2 Only subjects taken at one sitting of the GCE / A level and GCSE examinations will be accepted. Examinations taken in the same academic year are regarded as the same sitting. 3.3 Obligatory Subjects: (a) Irish: Grade C at GCE / A Level; (b) English: Grade C at GCSE Level in both English and English Literature, or Grade B at GCSE Level in either; (c) Mathematics: Grade D at GCSE Level in Additional Mathematics or Grade A at GCSE Level in Mathematics; (d) Grade C at GCE A Level in two further subjects; (e) Grade C in one other subject at GCSE Level. 3.4 Ranking of Candidates: Applicant's A Level results from one academic year will be counted for scoring and ranking purposes. B A C H E L O R O F E D U C A T I O N D E G R E E Page 7

Other Requirements: 4.1 Successful candidates who accept places will be required to enter the College during the first week of September. In special circumstances, at the discretion of the College authorities, the date of entry may be deferred for a limited period. 4.2 All students admitted to the College are required to attend courses in the Gaeltacht as part of their first and second year studies. Candidates should note that they will be required to take an oral test in Irish at the end of each year of study, a pass in which is necessary in order to continue to the next year of the course. Students who fail their oral Irish test may be granted a retrial. Admission Procedures: 5.1 Application for admission to the College must be made through the CAO/CAS application system. The B.Ed. course in the College is a restricted application course and, accordingly, applications must be received in CAO/CAS not later than 1st February. 5.2 A College application form will be sent to all applicants in March/April. This form must be fully completed and returned to the College by a specified date. 5.3 Eligible candidates who have returned application forms to the College by the specified date will be notified by post (or in such manner as may be arranged including email) of the date and time of their suitability interview. Interviews will take place around Easter. Candidates who fail to return application forms, those who are deemed unsuitable at interview, those who are ineligible on grounds of religious denomination, and those who fail to attend for interview will not be considered for places in the College. 5.4 Candidates will be advised of the outcome of suitability interviews after the Easter school break. 5.5 Successful candidates will be notified by the CAO in accordance with its normal procedures. Initial offers of places will be included in the CAO first round offers. Depending on the response further offers may be made in subsequent rounds B A C H E L O R O F E D U C A T I O N D E G R E E Page 8

Entry Requirements and Admission Procedures for Mature Students General Requirements 1.1 Application: Mature students apply through the Central Applications Office by 1 st February in the year in which admission is sought. 1.2 Age Limits: Candidates must be not less than 23 years of age on 1 st January of the year in which they are admitted. 1.3 Capacity to undertake the full requirements of the programme: Those who are admitted to the degree programme must be capable of undertaking all component courses successfully and capable of undertaking full responsibility for the care and safety of children when engaged in teaching practice. 1.4 Religious Denomination: It is the responsibility of the Church of Ireland College of Education to provide a supply of teachers for schools under the management of the Protestant churches. The Religious Education Certificate, which is offered as an additional element of the course is directed towards the requirements of the Religious Education programme in these schools. At present, all 32 places that the College is permitted to offer are reserved for those belonging to the various reformed Christian denominations including the Church of Ireland, the Presbyterian church, the Methodist church, the Society of Friends and the Baptists. All entrants to the B.Ed programme must also be aware of and willing to support the distinctive ethos of Protestant primary schools. 1.5 Suitability: Eligible candidates are required to attend and pass a qualifying interview in both Irish and English to be considered for a place on the programme. Interviews are normally held around Easter. Candidates must attend at their own expense. 1.6 Academic Requirements: To be considered for admission, applicants must have obtained the specified qualifications in either the Leaving Certificate Examination or Northern Ireland GCSE and GCE/ A Level Examination. Leaving Certificate - Requirements 2.1 Leaving Certificate Examination 1992 or later General Requirements: (a) Grade C3 on a Higher Level paper in not less than three subjects. (b) Grade D3 in three other subjects in accordance with the Rules and Programme for Secondary Schools. Obligatory Subjects: (c) Grade C3 on a Higher Level paper in Irish. (d) Grade C3 on an Ordinary Level- or D3 on a Higher Level paper in English (e) Grade D3 in Mathematics (Ordinary or Higher Level). B A C H E L O R O F E D U C A T I O N D E G R E E Page 9

2.2 Leaving Certificate Examination 1969-1991. General Requirements: (a) Grade C on Higher Level paper in not less than three subjects. (b) Grade D in three other subjects in accordance with the Rules and Programmes for Secondary Schools. Obligatory Subjects: (c) Grade C on a Higher Level paper in Irish. (d) Grade C on an Ordinary Level or D on a Higher Level paper in English. (e) Grade D in Mathematics (either Ordinary or Higher Level). Leaving Certificate Examination prior to 1969 To be eligible to apply for the competition, candidates who sat the Leaving Certificate Examination prior to 1969 must hold an Honours Leaving Certificate with Honours in Irish. In English they must have obtained marks equivalent to Grade C on a pass paper or Grade D on an honours paper. They must also have passed in Mathematics. 2.4 Acceptable Alternatives: A pass in a First Arts University Examination in a subject which is also a recognised subject at the Leaving Certificate Examination may be accepted in lieu of any of the minimum requirements specified above, i.e. First Arts Irish in lieu of Leaving Certificate Irish, First Arts English in lieu of Leaving Certificate English, etc. In the case of Mathematics, a pass in that subject in the Matriculation Examination would be accepted. 2.5 Combination of Results: Candidates may combine results obtained at the Leaving Certificate Examination in different years for the purpose of meeting the academic requirements. Northern Ireland GCSE and GCE/A level Examinations - Requirements General Requirements 3.1 Six subjects from the NISCEA syllabi must be presented, including three subjects from the GCE/ A Level syllabus. A subject can be counted at only one level of examination. 3.2 Only subjects taken at one sitting of the GCE/ A level and GCSE examinations will be accepted. Examinations taken in the same academic year are regarded as the same sitting. 3.3 Obligatory Subjects: (a) Irish: Grade C at GCE A Level; (b) English: Grade C at GCSE Level in both English and English Literature, or Grade B at GCSE Level in either; (c) Mathematics: Grade D at GCSE Level in Additional Mathematics or Grade A at GCSE Level in Mathematics; (d) Grade C at GCE A Level in two further subjects; (e) Grade C in one other subject at GCSE Level. B A C H E L O R O F E D U C A T I O N D E G R E E Page 10

Oral Irish Test and Interview: 4.1 Candidates who satisfy the conditions already specified will be required to pass an Interview and a test in oral Irish. Part of the interview may be conducted in Irish. 4.2 Candidates who get a "fail" grade in either the Interview or oral Irish test will be eliminated from the competition. Qualified candidates will be placed in an order of merit determined by the results of the Interview and oral Irish examination. Candidates who have failed the Interview on two previous occasions are not eligible for the competition. Other Requirements: 4.4 Successful candidates who accept places will be required to enter the College during the first week of September. In special circumstances, at the discretion of the College authorities, the date of entry may be deferred for a limited period. 4.5 All students admitted to the College are required to attend courses in the Gaeltacht as part of their first and second year studies. Candidates should note that they will be required to take an oral test in Irish at the end of their first year, a pass in which is necessary in order to continue to the second year of the course. Students who fail their oral Irish test may be granted a re-examination. Admission Procedures: 5.1 Eligible candidates who have returned application forms to the College by the specified date will be notified by post (or in such manner as may be arranged) of the date and time of their suitability interview. Interviews will take place around Easter. 5.2 Candidates will be advised of the outcome of suitability interviews in May/June. 5.4 Successful mature candidates will be notified by the CAO in accordance with its normal procedures. Initial offers of places will be included in the CAO first round offers. Depending on the response further offers may be made in subsequent rounds B A C H E L O R O F E D U C A T I O N D E G R E E Page 11

Other Information The Suitability Interview Suitability interviews are held in the College, usually around Easter time, and generally last about 30 minutes. Part of the interview is conducted through Irish. The information provided in the candidate's application form may be used as a basis for discussion. Interviewers are interested in forming an opinion of candidates' views on education, their perception of the Church of Ireland College of Education, and their reasons for choosing primary teaching as a career. Ability to discuss and communicate will also be assessed, as will interests, values and attitudes. Candidates can, therefore, expect to be asked questions on some of the following areas: interests and hobbies, experiences of school, the home locality, ambitions and aspirations, issues of national and international significance, attitudes to study and to the teaching of religion. Candidates are encouraged to look on the suitability interview as an opportunity to clarify their own thoughts about teaching and to identify and explore their feelings about working with young children. Interviewers will not seek to put candidates under pressure but may ask them to support and explain their views or assumptions. Professional Suitability The degree of Bachelor of Education is a professional degree which provides for the academic and professional requirements of primary school teachers. Graduates of the course are recognised by the Department of Education and Skills and by the Teaching Council, the professional accreditation body of the teaching profession. Student teachers are, therefore, expected to attain a high standard of education, acquire a broad range of professional skills, and observe the regulations of the College of Education in which they are enrolled and comply with The Codes of Professional Conduct for Teachers produced by the Teaching Council in 2012. Regular and punctual attendance at lectures, seminars and tutorials is essential throughout the academic year. Assignments and course work must be submitted at the prescribed times. When students are prevented from attending lectures or submitting course work due to illness or other legitimate reasons, then the prescribed procedures relating to such instances must be strictly followed. School experience is regarded as central to the degree programme. When participating in School Placements, students are required to prepare adequately, attend punctually and fully, and to harmonise their conduct with the accepted conventions of the school and the requirements of the College of Education. Students will be expected to show sensitivity and understanding in their relationships with pupils, teachers and parents. Since the primary duty of the National School Teacher is seen as the formation of pupils' character and the inculcation of moral values, student teachers are themselves, in their behaviour, conduct B A C H E L O R O F E D U C A T I O N D E G R E E Page 12

and character, expected to exhibit the capacity to undertake this work successfully and in accordance with the ethos of the schools in which they may be expected to serve. The Rules and Regulations of the Department of Education and Skills provide for circumstances in which students may be required to discontinue from a course of training on medical or other grounds. However, before such a course of action is followed students who are failing to make satisfactory progress or who for any other reason appear unsuitable for the teaching profession will, except in very unusual circumstances, be warned of this possibility. Deferred Entry Deferred entry will be granted only in exceptional circumstances and only to students who receive a first round offer of a place in the College. Applications for deferment of entry must be received not later than 1 August of the calendar year in which application for a place is made through the CAO and should include a clear statement by the student giving the reasons for seeking deferment. Deferment, when granted, will be for a period of one year only. Open Day An Open Day is held each year, usually on the Saturday at the beginning of December. Secondary school pupils and others with an interest in primary teaching as a career are invited to visit the College, meet staff, students and graduates, and discuss the B.Ed. course and the nature of a teaching career. There is a tour of the College and an information and discussion session led by students, graduates and staff of the College. B A C H E L O R O F E D U C A T I O N D E G R E E Page 13

The information in this booklet is intended as a guide to persons seeking admission to the Church of Ireland College of Education and shall not be deemed to form a contract between the College and an applicant or any third party. Courses are subject to change from time to time and students should enquire as to the up-to-date situation at any appropriate time. Further information available from: Admissions Office The Church of Ireland College of Education 96 Upper Rathmines Road Dublin 6 Tel: (01) 4970033 Email: info@cice.ie www.cice.ie B A C H E L O R O F E D U C A T I O N D E G R E E Page 14