National Diploma in Primary School Education
Study primary teaching through subject knowledge, professional studies and supported practice.
About the course
Study primary teaching through subject knowledge, professional studies and supported practice. You will prepare lessons across approved learning areas and use assessment to guide learner support.
What you'll learn
Plan a sequence for an approved primary subject.
Explain ideas using suitable examples and resources.
Assess learner responses with clear criteria.
Support participation in a multilingual classroom.
Reflect on supervised teaching and revise your approach.
Requirements
Have prior qualifications, subject knowledge and intended teaching phase assessed by BMIT. Confirm the awarding body, professional route and supervised school access before enrolment.
Course content
The complete subject sequence below moves from foundations to specialist application. Stages show learning progression. Practical work and the final project draw together the subjects studied.
3 learning stages 20 subjects
1Stage 1: Foundations6 subjects
2Stage 2: Core subjects11 subjects
3Stage 3: Specialist subjects and application3 subjects
Subjects in this programme
The complete subject sequence below moves from foundations to specialist application. Stages show learning progression. Practical work and the final project draw together the subjects studied.
20 subjects are listed below with a short description of each. The Subject descriptions tab contains the learning outcomes, topics, practical tasks and assessments.
Stage 1: Foundations
- Academic Literacy and Study Practice. Develop the reading, writing and evidence skills needed for study. You will examine reading strategies, argument structure, academic paragraphs. Write an evidence-based essay and document your revision decisions.
- Digital Business Skills. Use everyday digital tools to organise business information accurately. You will build reliable spreadsheets, manage documents and share work responsibly. Activities address uneven connectivity, accessible communication and the protection of personal information in small organisations and public offices.
- Foundations of Education. Connect educational purposes with classroom practice and social context. You will examine educational aims, philosophy of education, historical change. Write a reasoned teaching philosophy using a school case.
- Child Development. Examine development across early and middle childhood in context. You will examine physical development, language development, social relationships. Prepare an observation framework and developmental support activity.
- Educational Psychology. Use learning and development theories to explain classroom observations. You will examine learning theories, motivation, cognition. Analyse an anonymised learning case without making a clinical diagnosis.
- Child Protection and Professional Conduct. Recognise learner-welfare concerns and follow appropriate procedures. You will examine professional boundaries, child protection, consent. Complete a safeguarding case analysis using approved institutional procedures.
Stage 2: Core subjects
- English Language and Literature for Teachers. Develop subject knowledge for informed English teaching. You will examine grammar, text analysis, literary genres. Prepare an annotated text study and teaching explanation.
- Mathematical Knowledge for Teachers. Strengthen reasoning behind school mathematics and common errors. You will examine number systems, algebra, functions. Produce worked explanations and analyse mathematical misconceptions.
- Natural Science for Teachers. Build connected explanations of phenomena taught in school. You will examine matter, energy, living systems. Produce a concept map and explanations for a science unit.
- History and Geography for Teachers. Develop disciplinary knowledge for school social studies. You will examine historical evidence, chronology, southern african history. Prepare a source-based local history study with geographical analysis.
- Language and Literacy Teaching. Plan language learning through purposeful speaking, reading and writing. You will examine oral language, phonics and word study, reading comprehension. Produce and teach a linked reading and writing sequence.
- Mathematics Teaching. Develop mathematical understanding through representations and reasoning. You will examine number concepts, operations, patterns. Plan a mathematics lesson with diagnostic questions and worked examples.
- Science Teaching. Develop enquiry through explanations and supervised investigations. You will examine scientific questions, models, observation. Plan a low-risk investigation and assess the resulting explanation.
- Social Studies Teaching. Connect place, time and society through classroom evidence. You will examine local history, geographical thinking, community institutions. Design a local-study unit using historical and geographical evidence.
- Inclusive Education. Identify participation barriers and plan accessible learning support. You will examine learning barriers, universal design, differentiation. Adapt a lesson and assessment for a specified access need.
- Educational Assessment. Design fair assessments and use results to guide teaching. You will examine assessment purpose, task design, marking criteria. Produce an assessment task, rubric and feedback plan.
- Classroom Management. Establish routines and relationships supporting learning and participation. You will examine classroom climate, routines, behaviour support. Prepare a classroom-management plan and respond to a simulated disruption.
Stage 3: Specialist subjects and application
- Teaching Practice I: Observation and Assisted Teaching. Connect coursework with supervised observation and supported lessons. You will examine school induction, observation, lesson preparation. Complete supervised observation and assisted teaching with an authenticated portfolio.
- Teaching Practice II: Guided Classroom Teaching. Take greater responsibility for a supervised teaching sequence. You will examine unit planning, classroom teaching, assessment. Teach a short unit and analyse learner progress with a mentor.
- Classroom Action Research. Investigate a teaching problem through an ethical enquiry cycle. You will examine problem identification, evidence review, action planning. Conduct an approved classroom enquiry using anonymised evidence.
Assessment and practical learning
- Subject and lesson-design tasks.
- Microteaching and assessment exercises.
- Observed school practice and a teaching portfolio.
Practical application
Complete proposed mentored primary teaching after phase and award requirements are confirmed. Include planning, lesson delivery, learner feedback and reflective revision.
Subject descriptions
Select a subject to read its learning outcomes, main topics, practical task and assessment.
Stage 1: Foundations
Academic Literacy and Study Practice
Develop the reading, writing and evidence skills needed for study. You will examine reading strategies, argument structure, academic paragraphs. Write an evidence-based essay and document your revision decisions.
Learning outcomes
- Explain reading strategies in a relevant case.
- Analyse the relationship between argument structure and academic paragraphs.
- Produce a reasoned response addressing referencing, information checking and study planning.
Main topics
- Reading strategies
- Argument structure
- Academic paragraphs
- Referencing
- Information checking
- Study planning
Practical task
Write an evidence-based essay and document your revision decisions.
Assessment
Submit the practical output with supporting evidence and an individual written or oral explanation. Assessment considers subject knowledge, accuracy, reasoning and the quality of the completed work.
Digital Business Skills
Use everyday digital tools to organise business information accurately. You will build reliable spreadsheets, manage documents and share work responsibly. Activities address uneven connectivity, accessible communication and the protection of personal information in small organisations and public offices.
Learning outcomes
- Build a checked spreadsheet
- Organise retrievable business documents
- Apply appropriate access permissions
Main topics
- File organisation
- Word processing
- Spreadsheet formulas
- Presentations
- Collaborative working
- Privacy and access
Practical task
Create a shared office information pack with formulas, document versions and access instructions.
Assessment
Assessment combines applied exercises, a documented case or practical portfolio and an individual written or oral explanation. Judgement considers technical accuracy, reasoning, evidence quality and the feasibility of recommendations.
Foundations of Education
Connect educational purposes with classroom practice and social context. You will examine educational aims, philosophy of education, historical change. Write a reasoned teaching philosophy using a school case.
Learning outcomes
- Explain educational aims in a relevant case.
- Analyse the relationship between philosophy of education and historical change.
- Produce a reasoned response addressing school systems, professional identity and reflection.
Main topics
- Educational aims
- Philosophy of education
- Historical change
- School systems
- Professional identity
- Reflection
Practical task
Write a reasoned teaching philosophy using a school case.
Assessment
Submit the practical output with supporting evidence and an individual written or oral explanation. Assessment considers subject knowledge, accuracy, reasoning and the quality of the completed work.
Child Development
Examine development across early and middle childhood in context. You will examine physical development, language development, social relationships. Prepare an observation framework and developmental support activity.
Learning outcomes
- Explain physical development in a relevant case.
- Analyse the relationship between language development and social relationships.
- Produce a reasoned response addressing emotional regulation, play and family context.
Main topics
- Physical development
- Language development
- Social relationships
- Emotional regulation
- Play
- Family context
Practical task
Prepare an observation framework and developmental support activity.
Assessment
Submit the practical output with supporting evidence and an individual written or oral explanation. Assessment considers subject knowledge, accuracy, reasoning and the quality of the completed work.
Educational Psychology
Use learning and development theories to explain classroom observations. You will examine learning theories, motivation, cognition. Analyse an anonymised learning case without making a clinical diagnosis.
Learning outcomes
- Explain learning theories in a relevant case.
- Analyse the relationship between motivation and cognition.
- Produce a reasoned response addressing individual differences, emotional development and classroom applications.
Main topics
- Learning theories
- Motivation
- Cognition
- Individual differences
- Emotional development
- Classroom applications
Practical task
Analyse an anonymised learning case without making a clinical diagnosis.
Assessment
Submit the practical output with supporting evidence and an individual written or oral explanation. Assessment considers subject knowledge, accuracy, reasoning and the quality of the completed work.
Child Protection and Professional Conduct
Recognise learner-welfare concerns and follow appropriate procedures. You will examine professional boundaries, child protection, consent. Complete a safeguarding case analysis using approved institutional procedures.
Learning outcomes
- Explain professional boundaries in a relevant case.
- Analyse the relationship between child protection and consent.
- Produce a reasoned response addressing confidentiality, reporting pathways and record keeping.
Main topics
- Professional boundaries
- Child protection
- Consent
- Confidentiality
- Reporting pathways
- Record keeping
Practical task
Complete a safeguarding case analysis using approved institutional procedures.
Assessment
Submit the practical output with supporting evidence and an individual written or oral explanation. Assessment considers subject knowledge, accuracy, reasoning and the quality of the completed work.
Stage 2: Core subjects
English Language and Literature for Teachers
Develop subject knowledge for informed English teaching. You will examine grammar, text analysis, literary genres. Prepare an annotated text study and teaching explanation.
Learning outcomes
- Explain grammar in a relevant case.
- Analyse the relationship between text analysis and literary genres.
- Produce a reasoned response addressing writing, language variation and critical reading.
Main topics
- Grammar
- Text analysis
- Literary genres
- Writing
- Language variation
- Critical reading
Practical task
Prepare an annotated text study and teaching explanation.
Assessment
Submit the practical output with supporting evidence and an individual written or oral explanation. Assessment considers subject knowledge, accuracy, reasoning and the quality of the completed work.
Mathematical Knowledge for Teachers
Strengthen reasoning behind school mathematics and common errors. You will examine number systems, algebra, functions. Produce worked explanations and analyse mathematical misconceptions.
Learning outcomes
- Explain number systems in a relevant case.
- Analyse the relationship between algebra and functions.
- Produce a reasoned response addressing geometry, measurement and statistics.
Main topics
- Number systems
- Algebra
- Functions
- Geometry
- Measurement
- Statistics
Practical task
Produce worked explanations and analyse mathematical misconceptions.
Assessment
Submit the practical output with supporting evidence and an individual written or oral explanation. Assessment considers subject knowledge, accuracy, reasoning and the quality of the completed work.
Natural Science for Teachers
Build connected explanations of phenomena taught in school. You will examine matter, energy, living systems. Produce a concept map and explanations for a science unit.
Learning outcomes
- Explain matter in a relevant case.
- Analyse the relationship between energy and living systems.
- Produce a reasoned response addressing earth systems, scientific evidence and models.
Main topics
- Matter
- Energy
- Living systems
- Earth systems
- Scientific evidence
- Models
Practical task
Produce a concept map and explanations for a science unit.
Assessment
Submit the practical output with supporting evidence and an individual written or oral explanation. Assessment considers subject knowledge, accuracy, reasoning and the quality of the completed work.
History and Geography for Teachers
Develop disciplinary knowledge for school social studies. You will examine historical evidence, chronology, southern african history. Prepare a source-based local history study with geographical analysis.
Learning outcomes
- Explain historical evidence in a relevant case.
- Analyse the relationship between chronology and southern african history.
- Produce a reasoned response addressing physical geography, human geography and maps.
Main topics
- Historical evidence
- Chronology
- Southern African history
- Physical geography
- Human geography
- Maps
Practical task
Prepare a source-based local history study with geographical analysis.
Assessment
Submit the practical output with supporting evidence and an individual written or oral explanation. Assessment considers subject knowledge, accuracy, reasoning and the quality of the completed work.
Language and Literacy Teaching
Plan language learning through purposeful speaking, reading and writing. You will examine oral language, phonics and word study, reading comprehension. Produce and teach a linked reading and writing sequence.
Learning outcomes
- Explain oral language in a relevant case.
- Analyse the relationship between phonics and word study and reading comprehension.
- Produce a reasoned response addressing writing development, multilingual support and literacy assessment.
Main topics
- Oral language
- Phonics and word study
- Reading comprehension
- Writing development
- Multilingual support
- Literacy assessment
Practical task
Produce and teach a linked reading and writing sequence.
Assessment
Submit the practical output with supporting evidence and an individual written or oral explanation. Assessment considers subject knowledge, accuracy, reasoning and the quality of the completed work.
Mathematics Teaching
Develop mathematical understanding through representations and reasoning. You will examine number concepts, operations, patterns. Plan a mathematics lesson with diagnostic questions and worked examples.
Learning outcomes
- Explain number concepts in a relevant case.
- Analyse the relationship between operations and patterns.
- Produce a reasoned response addressing measurement, geometry and problem solving.
Main topics
- Number concepts
- Operations
- Patterns
- Measurement
- Geometry
- Problem solving
Practical task
Plan a mathematics lesson with diagnostic questions and worked examples.
Assessment
Submit the practical output with supporting evidence and an individual written or oral explanation. Assessment considers subject knowledge, accuracy, reasoning and the quality of the completed work.
Science Teaching
Develop enquiry through explanations and supervised investigations. You will examine scientific questions, models, observation. Plan a low-risk investigation and assess the resulting explanation.
Learning outcomes
- Explain scientific questions in a relevant case.
- Analyse the relationship between models and observation.
- Produce a reasoned response addressing fair comparisons, data interpretation and practical safety.
Main topics
- Scientific questions
- Models
- Observation
- Fair comparisons
- Data interpretation
- Practical safety
Practical task
Plan a low-risk investigation and assess the resulting explanation.
Assessment
Submit the practical output with supporting evidence and an individual written or oral explanation. Assessment considers subject knowledge, accuracy, reasoning and the quality of the completed work.
Social Studies Teaching
Connect place, time and society through classroom evidence. You will examine local history, geographical thinking, community institutions. Design a local-study unit using historical and geographical evidence.
Learning outcomes
- Explain local history in a relevant case.
- Analyse the relationship between geographical thinking and community institutions.
- Produce a reasoned response addressing citizenship, source interpretation and field learning.
Main topics
- Local history
- Geographical thinking
- Community institutions
- Citizenship
- Source interpretation
- Field learning
Practical task
Design a local-study unit using historical and geographical evidence.
Assessment
Submit the practical output with supporting evidence and an individual written or oral explanation. Assessment considers subject knowledge, accuracy, reasoning and the quality of the completed work.
Inclusive Education
Identify participation barriers and plan accessible learning support. You will examine learning barriers, universal design, differentiation. Adapt a lesson and assessment for a specified access need.
Learning outcomes
- Explain learning barriers in a relevant case.
- Analyse the relationship between universal design and differentiation.
- Produce a reasoned response addressing assistive resources, referral and family collaboration.
Main topics
- Learning barriers
- Universal design
- Differentiation
- Assistive resources
- Referral
- Family collaboration
Practical task
Adapt a lesson and assessment for a specified access need.
Assessment
Submit the practical output with supporting evidence and an individual written or oral explanation. Assessment considers subject knowledge, accuracy, reasoning and the quality of the completed work.
Educational Assessment
Design fair assessments and use results to guide teaching. You will examine assessment purpose, task design, marking criteria. Produce an assessment task, rubric and feedback plan.
Learning outcomes
- Explain assessment purpose in a relevant case.
- Analyse the relationship between task design and marking criteria.
- Produce a reasoned response addressing feedback, moderation and use of results.
Main topics
- Assessment purpose
- Task design
- Marking criteria
- Feedback
- Moderation
- Use of results
Practical task
Produce an assessment task, rubric and feedback plan.
Assessment
Submit the practical output with supporting evidence and an individual written or oral explanation. Assessment considers subject knowledge, accuracy, reasoning and the quality of the completed work.
Classroom Management
Establish routines and relationships supporting learning and participation. You will examine classroom climate, routines, behaviour support. Prepare a classroom-management plan and respond to a simulated disruption.
Learning outcomes
- Explain classroom climate in a relevant case.
- Analyse the relationship between routines and behaviour support.
- Produce a reasoned response addressing conflict resolution, learner voice and learning time.
Main topics
- Classroom climate
- Routines
- Behaviour support
- Conflict resolution
- Learner voice
- Learning time
Practical task
Prepare a classroom-management plan and respond to a simulated disruption.
Assessment
Submit the practical output with supporting evidence and an individual written or oral explanation. Assessment considers subject knowledge, accuracy, reasoning and the quality of the completed work.
Stage 3: Specialist subjects and application
Teaching Practice I: Observation and Assisted Teaching
Connect coursework with supervised observation and supported lessons. You will examine school induction, observation, lesson preparation. Complete supervised observation and assisted teaching with an authenticated portfolio.
Learning outcomes
- Explain school induction in a relevant case.
- Analyse the relationship between observation and lesson preparation.
- Produce a reasoned response addressing assisted teaching, mentor feedback and reflection.
Main topics
- School induction
- Observation
- Lesson preparation
- Assisted teaching
- Mentor feedback
- Reflection
Practical task
Complete supervised observation and assisted teaching with an authenticated portfolio.
Assessment
Submit the practical output with supporting evidence and an individual written or oral explanation. Assessment considers subject knowledge, accuracy, reasoning and the quality of the completed work.
Teaching Practice II: Guided Classroom Teaching
Take greater responsibility for a supervised teaching sequence. You will examine unit planning, classroom teaching, assessment. Teach a short unit and analyse learner progress with a mentor.
Learning outcomes
- Explain unit planning in a relevant case.
- Analyse the relationship between classroom teaching and assessment.
- Produce a reasoned response addressing adaptation, mentoring and reflective revision.
Main topics
- Unit planning
- Classroom teaching
- Assessment
- Adaptation
- Mentoring
- Reflective revision
Practical task
Teach a short unit and analyse learner progress with a mentor.
Assessment
Submit the practical output with supporting evidence and an individual written or oral explanation. Assessment considers subject knowledge, accuracy, reasoning and the quality of the completed work.
Classroom Action Research
Investigate a teaching problem through an ethical enquiry cycle. You will examine problem identification, evidence review, action planning. Conduct an approved classroom enquiry using anonymised evidence.
Learning outcomes
- Explain problem identification in a relevant case.
- Analyse the relationship between evidence review and action planning.
- Produce a reasoned response addressing classroom evidence, evaluation and revision.
Main topics
- Problem identification
- Evidence review
- Action planning
- Classroom evidence
- Evaluation
- Revision
Practical task
Conduct an approved classroom enquiry using anonymised evidence.
Assessment
Submit the practical output with supporting evidence and an individual written or oral explanation. Assessment considers subject knowledge, accuracy, reasoning and the quality of the completed work.
Instructors
