Educational and Professional Studies

"An important part of your role in school will be to co-operate with teachers in other subject areas, as well as other support staff. Not only does EPS prepare you for this but in the process it allows you to participate in debates on a wide range of professional issues, helping you form ideas and values, not to mention making great friends along the way."

PGCE student teacher

Educational and Professional Studies (EPS) seminars bring together student teachers from different curriculum subject areas to explore aspects of education relevant to all teachers.

The aim of this seminar programme is to assist you to become aware of and prepared for those aspects of a teacher´s professional practice that extend beyond the immediate concerns of subject teaching. Some of the themes may include: inquiry-based learning ('IBL'), special educational needs, citizenship education, class management and the teacher-pupil relationship, and teaching and the law.

Both your university tutor and AUT will, in general, act in a supporting role and it is intended that you will take an increasing role in designing and leading the seminars. You will be expected to draw on your experience and make presentations to your fellow student teachers on themes of interest and relevance to yourself and others.