An excellent blend of practice and theory, the St. Clare’s Oxford Education Studies Programme enables Education majors, licensure students and trainee teachers to experience working in an English school setting. In addition, this programme will enhance your understanding of key issues in education theory and practice, both in the UK and internationally. You will explore and experience how we learn, how we are taught, and how educational theory informs policy and is applied in practice. Courses are taught by DPhil and post-doctoral candidates from the Department of Education, University of Oxford. Students enrolled on this course will have access to the Faculty of Education library and resources.
This programme is offered twice during the year to suit your time requirements
Programme details
All students will be assigned placements as a classroom assistant for 3 half days a week in a primary or secondary school. Placements are based on the age range students plan to teach (1 unit of transferable credit). Students take the Comparative Education course (3 units of transferable credit). This course will critically analyze educational systems, processes and outcomes in the USA and UK. Students will also consider the nature and value of international comparison systems for education. The aim of the course is to ensure familiarity of the UK and USA educational systems and to develop the ability to make basic and meaningful comparisons of educational systems across both countries. Moreover, students will be encouraged to reflect upon, explore, and refer to the practical experience gained as a result of their placement. Contact us for more detailed information about the course and how to apply. Email manuela.williams@stclares.ac.uk or call +44 1865 517707. In order to secure a placement in a UK school, students must apply for a full student visa and submit proof of a clean criminal record (for example a police certificate or FBI clearance).
Programme
A programme of study designed for US undergraduate education or licensure students.
An excellent blend of practice and theory, the St. Clare’s Oxford Education Studies Programme enables Education majors,
licensure students and trainee teachers to experience working in an English school setting.
In addition, this programme will enhance your understanding of key issues in educational theory and practice, both in the
UK and internationally. You will explore and experience how we learn, how we are taught, and how educational theory informs
policy and is applied in practice. Courses are taught by D Phil and post-doctoral candidates from the Department of
Education, University of Oxford. Students enrolled on this course will have access to the Faculty of Education library
and resources.
Students following the Oxford Education Studies Programme can earn 15 or 18 units of credit as follows:
- A monitored internship (3 credits)
- A weekly internship in a learning assistant role at a local school for up to one full day per week: you would be
assigned your internship on the basis of the age-range you plan to teach. You would keep a journal to track your
learning and experience which, along with the School or Department Head’s assessment, would contribute to the final
grade.
- Select from a menu of Education courses (3 credits)
Courses available include: Comparative Education; Multicultural and Philosophical Foundations of Education;
Psychological Foundations of Education in a Diverse Society; Philosophy of Education. These courses will explore
theoretical issues in a multidisciplinary manner, and draw on the practical experience gained as a result of your
internship.
- Academic Courses (3 credits each)
You can choose two or three Liberal Arts core courses (including a language tutorial)
- St Clare’s Seminar Series (3 credits)
Each semester we invite renowned academics and specialists and to present papers linked by a common theme. Themes
addressed in previous semesters have included: violence and human conflict; death and love; villains; women of power
and influence and revolutions. Students taking the series for credit must conduct some independent research which they
must submit as well as present.
To apply for this programme please contact Manuela Williams, Programme Administrator - email:
manuela.williams@stclares.ac.uk or call her Monday-Friday 0900-1700
GMT tel: +44 1865 517706. Manuela will send you an application form and explain what necessary paperwork we would require.
Profiles of schools where internships are available.
Primary Schools
- West Kidlington School
West Kidlington centres its approach to learning on Values Led Learning. The school's Values Education is
recognised as outstanding. The school is the subject of a book, The Quiet Revolution by Frances
Farrer. The school makes considerable use of technology and integrated learning; and has developed close
links and teacher exchanges with schools in Uganda and Europe. Please visit the school's website for
reports and further information: www.west-kidlington.oxon.sch.uk
- Pegasus Primary School
A strong developmental approach to learning and providing social services distinguishes this school. It is situated in
one of the most deprived areas of Oxford, and notable for a number of innovative community and educational partnership
schemes to support families. The student body is ethnically and economically diverse, and over 60% have high needs. All
staff are trained in cooperative disciplinary techniques. Please visit the school’s website for reports and further
information: www.pegasus-pri.oxon.sch.uk
- St Nicholas Primary School
This is a popular community school located just outside of Oxford city centre in Old Marston. Almost
40% of the approximately 400 pupils (aged between 3-11 years) are from ethnic minority groups and nearly one in three
speak a language other than English. The school also has an Autism Resource Base, which is an important part of this
inclusive school. Cultural and social diversity is of critical importance to the goal of creating a school where every
child is special and able to learn in an environment that is rich and creative. Please visit the school’s website for
inspection reports and further information: www.stnicholasprimaryschool.org.uk
Secondary Schools
- Gosford Hill School
A secondary school with a large and diverse student body (1,121 pupils). In 2003 it became a Specialist College in Maths
and Technology. The Headmaster is willing to lead an educational tutorial on current educational topics related to
special needs students, secondary education, student support and school leadership. Please visit the school’s website
for reports and further information: www.gosford-hill.oxon.sch.uk
- Oxford Community School
A rapidly improving and effective Comprehensive Secondary school serving a population of diverse students. It offers
strong support services to special needs, refugee and English as a Second Language students. The school enjoys strong
links with Oxford University and Oxford Brookes University to provide teacher training, mentoring for young students and
events to promote greater awareness of diversity education. Please visit the school’s website for reports and further
information: www.oxford.oxon.sch.uk
- Cheney School
This secondary school’s success is built on traditional values, as well as progressive thinking. One of the unique
features of the Cheney School is the international ethos which is promoted through its specialist language college
status. Students at Cheney are well prepared for the challenges which await them in an increasingly demanding global
work place. The ethos of the school is built on the key principle of providing an exciting learning environment where
enthusiastic and skilled teachers engage students. Please visit the school’s website for reports and further information:
http://www.cheney.oxon.sch.uk/page/default.asp?title=Home&pid=1">www.cheney.oxon.sch.uk
An excellent opportunity for Education majors, licensure students and Teaching Fellows to gain practical experience
of the English school system, earn 4 units of credit while immersing themselves in British life and culture.
Students will have a unique opportunity to compare, theoretically and practically, the British and American educational
systems. Our Comparative Education course (three units of transferable credit) will contrast and differentiate the goals
and practices of primary and secondary education in the UK and the USA. Moreover, students are assigned a placement
as a classroom assistant at a local primary or secondary school for 4 half days a week for 3 weeks (1 unit of
transferable credit).
Course details
All students will be assigned placements as a classroom assistant for 4 half days a week in a primary or secondary
school. Placements are based on the age range students plan to teach (1 unit of credit). All students take
the Comparative Education course (3 units of credit). This course will critically analyze educational
systems, processes and outcomes in the USA and the UK. Students will also consider the nature and value of international
comparison systems for education. The aim of the course is to ensure familiarity of the UK and USA educational systems
and to develop the ability to make basic and meaningful comparisons of educational systems across both countries.
Moreover, students will be encouraged to reflect upon, explore, and refer to the practical experience gained as a
result of their placement.
In order to secure a placement in a school, students must secure for a full student visa and submit
proof of a clean criminal record (for e.g., police certificate or FBI clearance. Students are responsible for
all costs associated with securing a full student visa.
Dr Ines Molinaro, Director of the Programme, can give you more detailed information about the 2013 course, what the
requirements are and what to expect from this intensive programme. Email her -
ines.molinaro@stclares.ac.uk
or call +44 1865 517715.
Dates 2013
June - detailed dates to be confirmed
Fees 2013
Full cost: $ - to be confirmed
Fees include:
- Placement in a local primary (K-year 6) school or secondary school (year 7 to year 12); 4 half days a week
for 3 weeks (1 unit of transferable credit)
- Link here for a profile of each school where internships are available.
- Earn three units of academic credit for Comparative Education course (40 hours tuition over 4 weeks)
- Airport transfer from / to London Heathrow coordinated around the majority of arrivals and departures
- Full orientation including walking tour of Oxford city and St. Clare's facilities
- Welcome and departure dinner
- Two accompanied trips to London, Stratford upon Avon or Bath / Stonehenge
- One free theatre ticket (plus transportation) to either Royal Shakespeare Company, Stratford upon Avon or
the Globe Theatre, London
- Access to full activities programme (excursions and trips) open to all students either free or at a
subsidised cost
- Free internet access (all St. Clare's buildings are wireless)
- Accommodation in a St. Clare’s residence. All college houses
have a resident House Manager; fully equipped kitchen facilities; laundry facilities; bed linen and towels are
provided; College residences are located within a 15 minutes walk or a short bus ride away. Alternatively, homestay
accommodation can be arranged.
- Meals can be purchased in our college dining room
- St. Clare’s will complete all paper work associated with credit transfer. Please note that if your institution
does not accept St. Clare's credit, your credits will be transferred through our University of Record in the
USA. This option carries an additional fee of a $250 non-refundable processing fee.