Teaching

Our Primary Education programmes are co-written and co-delivered by excellent primary schools in the region. You will have sessions at both the university and in lead schools to help you understand the relationship between practice and theory. Studying at Bangor University aims to help you become a highly reflective and thoughtful teacher.

Throughout your placement you will be supported by fantastic network lead mentors, and you will also get to hear from a range of teachers from across the school about their responsibilities. You can observe, carry out learning walks and work alongside small groups of children whilst at one of our partner schools. These sessions will ensure you are confident and equipped for the classroom when you graduate. As you progress through your Primary Education degree there are opportunities to specialise in an age range of your choice.

At Bangor University, we are proud to be a bilingual University, where you can choose to study for your BA Primary Education degree in Welsh or English. Every school in Wales, whatever their language category, will respond to Government requirements and introduce Welsh heritage and culture, as well as the language to their learners. Experienced language practitioners, who work as part of a language team, will coach you in an engaging style to address this requirement. Furthermore, in the Lead Schools, you will be assigned a Welsh Language mentor ‘Mentor Iaith’, who will also co-deliver Welsh sessions during your studies.

If you choose to study through the medium of Welsh, you will have the opportunity to further improve your Welsh language skills. Placements will be in Welsh medium primary schools, where you will also learn how to develop learners’ literacy and language skills in both Welsh and English.

If you choose to study through the medium of English, you will have the opportunity to learn/develop Welsh language skills in sessions specifically tailored to match your ability. These sessions will allow you to develop your bilingual skills in a fun and engaging way which are required for teaching in English medium primary schools across Wales.

At Bangor University, we use education research to develop lectures and seminars, so you are taught the most innovative and effective ways to teach your future pupils. Our research involves local schools giving you the opportunity to be part of some research projects. Getting involved in projects early in your teaching career is important, it helps you to understand how you can address classroom challenges and make improvements in the field of teaching.

Our location lends itself perfectly to outdoor education. The nearby Menai Straits and Eryri National Park give ample opportunities for outdoor teaching. Outdoor learning is a valuable pedagogical approach that can be transformational, contributing to health and well-being and increasing a child’s enjoyment of learning.

Becoming increasing popular in the field of teaching, outdoor education can help young people deal with exam stress and the pressures of everyday life such as social media. We’ll teach you how you can help support young people through outdoor education. By studying Primary Education, you will feel empowered to help children fulfil their potential in ways that can't be measured by just grades – through teamwork, resilience, courage, and compassion.

Our Primary Education degree come with Qualified Teacher Status or QTS. This means that alongside your degree you’ll have the necessary qualification to become a teacher in Wales and England*. You can start applying for teaching roles during your third year.

Our degree is designed to get you ready to step into teaching. Between lectures, seminars and placements alongside various assessment methods and continued support throughout your studies, you’ll have all the necessary skills and knowledge to succeed as a Primary Teacher.

*Those seeking to teach outside Wales and England should check recognition and transferability of Qualified Teacher Status with the respective country’s Teachers’ Professional Body.