BA Primary Teacher Education (PTE) Cultural Placements

2019/2020 Learning Beyond The Classroom

Examples of learning resources produced by final-year trainees based on their cultural placement experiences

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The BA (Hons) Primary Teacher Education course module 'Curriculum Design through Thematic Planning' at Oxford Brookes University aims to support trainees 'to develop creativity in teaching and empower pupils to learn in a creative way' (Module Handbook, p. 1). To help deepen trainees' knowledge and understanding of how to nurture the creative development of pupils, in their final year they engage in a short 'cultural placement' outside of a formal school environment.

During their immersive placement experiences trainees explore learning beyond the classroom in a contrasting cultural context, and consider how they might utilise a different environment to generate thematic cross-curricular experiences for learners. This practice practically expands trainees' understanding of 'cultural capital' (as defined in the Ofsted School Inspection Handbook 2019, p. 43).

As part of an assessed assignment trainees are required to develop a learning resource for primary-aged children (5-11 year olds) based around an aspect of their cultural placement. They are encouraged to consider applying a range of pedagogical approaches that best utilise the unique contexts in which they find themselves. This online exhibition showcases many examples of the learning resources.

Oxford Brookes University would like to say a huge thank you to all of our cultural partners for the tremendous ongoing support they give to our trainees, always for no charge.

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A special thanks needs to be extended to Jennie McFadden, Carol Ducker and Amanda Barton, now retired from Oxford Brookes University, whose energy and enthusiasm over many years has ensured that all BA Primary Teacher Education trainees experience a cultural placement as part of their teacher training. For more information about the background to the cultural placements click here. The exhibition was curated by Karen Hosack Janes and Sarah Frodsham.