Welcome to Department of Education

Welcome to the Department of Education. We have an established reputation for the quality of its initial and post-qualification teacher education and education studies. As the educational provider for a major public service profession, we are of significant regional importance, with a large proportion of our students either already working for local authorities within London or intending to do so.

London Met's work in the early childhood area continues to develop very successfully, very much in line with national policy developments in this field, as does our continuing professional development provision.

The Early Childhood Studies Scheme is a vocational, part-time course designed for those working with young children. This course highlights the importance of issues of equality and diversity and their impact on the development, behaviour and welfare of young children in a learning environment.

Acknowledged as the country's foremost leader in early childhood studies, this course teaches students to reflect on your own practice, to act as an advocate for the rights of young children, to understand legal aspects of early years provision as well as cultural and historical perspectives on early childhood learning.

We have considerable experience in meeting the opportunities and challenges of urban education, not least in the provision of Initial Teacher Education, early years work and continuing professional development courses for teachers. Our PGCE and BEd (Initial Teacher Education) courses are particularly effective in preparing students to teach in multilingual, multicultural, inner-city schools. We have a number of Subject Knowledge Enhancement courses - see here for full details. We also have a new Return To Teach programme running in 2009-2010.

Widening Participation Community Learning Team has recently merged with the Department of Education at London Metropolitan University. Widening participation to education and employment is core business at London Metropolitan University and an integrated key feature of all our work. Our commitment is evidenced through the diversity of the student profile, the substance and range of curriculum offer, the research profile and our consultancy portfolio.

The Widening Participation and Community Learning Team underpin the delivery of this commitment through, pro-active and strategic regional, national and international partnerships and collaborations with targeted agencies and organisations. Find out more about us by watching our video.

Graduates and postgraduates of the department have an excellent record of gaining employment, including 90% of those on initial teacher education courses going on to teach in inner-city schools.

The Department of Education also runs the University's Student Associate Scheme (SAS). This Scheme allows current students to gain valuable classroom experience in order to prepare for teacher training. Click here to go to the SAS webpage.

Resources

The Department works in partnership with nursery, primary and secondary schools and other educational settings, providing a sound context for supporting and developing professional practice. Teachers in these schools are trained to act as mentors to give students appropriate training, assessment and support in collaboration with University tutors to ensure coherence of theory and practice.

You will also have access to a range of resources designed to aid you in your studies. These include extensive IT studios located on campus, five libraries and modern learning centres, as well as specialist collections and fully equipped, state-of-the-art media centres.

The University's new Graduate Centre at London North Campus is just one example of the University's commitment to investing in facilities that will enhance your Learning experience. Reflecting the growing importance of London Met's postgraduate community, the building has been designed with their particular needs in mind. Designed by the internationally renowned architect, Daniel Libeskind, it provides an outstanding visual landmark on the Holloway Road.

Links with industry and professional bodies

We work in close collaboration with other institutions and organisations, ranging from LEAs and community agencies to schools and early years centres. Partnerships have also been developed with two education action zones in north London .