New centre for teacher education

Aberystwyth and Bangor Universities are joining forces to provide Initial Teacher Education for North and Mid-Wales. The North and Mid-Wales Centre for Teacher Education, one of three national centres, will operate from 2010 and will train primary and secondary teachers. 

The new centre will be managed jointly by both institutions and will continue to work with and develop partnerships with primary and secondary schools across the regions. This collaboration is set in the context of a wider strategic partnership between Aberystwyth and Bangor Universities regarding Research and Enterprise.

The formation of the three Teacher Education Centres in Wales is the result of Government policy which has encouraged reconfiguration across the university sector and is in response to substantial decreases in teacher training places available.

From 2010 Bangor will be offering courses at Primary level, the three year BA Primary Education (Qualified Teacher Status) course and the one year Postgraduate Certificate in Education Primary course. 

Aberystwyth will provide training for the Secondary sector in English and Drama, Geography, History, ICT, Modern Languages, Science and Welsh.  Bangor will offer Secondary PGCE courses in Art, Mathematics, Music, Physical Education, Religious Education, Science and Welsh.  In addition Bangor will continue to offer the secondary BSc (QTS) course in Design and Technology. 

All courses offered in both institutions will continue to be available through the medium of English and through the medium of Welsh. 

In addition to the changes in Initial Teacher Education provision, both universities are developing new and exciting courses which will be attractive to potential students.

In Aberystwyth from 2009 a new degree in Childhood Studies is being offered and other courses in education, management and skills are being developed for 2010.

The College of Education and Lifelong Learning at Bangor University is continuing to develop the popular BA Childhood Studies degree, the Foundation Degree in Early Childhood and Learning Support and the BSc Product Design degree together with a number of new CPD programmes aimed at meeting the needs of practising teachers.