Seeking professional placements for Education Studies students

Organisation
University of Reading
Author
Dr David Dobraszczyk
Author's position
Lecturer in Education
Article date
18 August 2022
Primary interest
Learning

As part of studying for a degree in Education Studies, our undergraduate students are required to arrange a professional placement in a learning environment/educational setting. This forms part of their professional development module in which they need to gain experience in an education and learning context of their choosing. The aim of this as an academic module is for students to critically reflect upon an extended placement in an appropriate working environment, while also drawing upon literature, research, observations, conversations, and day-to-day experiences in order to make tentative conclusions about their own professional development, with a view to potentially working in such an environment.
As part of the placement, the students have a number of themes to explore:

  • Engaging with learners in a learning environment
  • Communicating and networking in a learning environment
  • Staff development and leadership in a learning environment
  • Teamwork and professionalism in a learning environment

We are asking a range of institutions to offer places to students if they have any contribution to the education of others. Any institution taking part in the programme would need to:

    • Offer a placement covering one or both of the following:

1 – 8 placement days of one day per week for 8 weeks (preferably a Monday as this is the day the students have allocated for placements) from 9th January 2023 – 6th March 2023 inclusive (this is compulsory for the students)
2 – A block placement of 2-4 weeks between 13th March 2023 – 24th March 2023 and/or 17th April 2023 – 28th April 2023 (this is optional for the students)

  • Agree a ‘key contact’ who will be able to answer appropriate questions from the student about key features of the institution.
  • Work with the university and student in recognising any requirements, such as the student completing their DBS or risk assessments, prior to the placement.
  • Sign a partnership agreement used by the university for all placements.
  • Embrace the value of the placement for the student’s desire to work in education and generally be receptive to helping the student achieve the aims of the placement.

It would be fantastic if you were able to offer a student a place. We would, therefore, be most grateful if you could complete the online form at your earliest convenience via the link:
Placement Form

If you have any questions at all, please direct them to: d.dobraszczyk@reading.ac.uk

 

Interested but not sure you can support a placement? Take a look at the Visit Days request HERE