ISA POSTGRADUATE PATHWAYS is an initiative in partnership with the University of Winchester whereby attending ISA courses can get you credits towards a postgraduate certificate, diploma or masters qualification.
For an informal discussion contact Maggie Turner, Professional Development Officer, 01799 581696.
What qualifications are on offer and how many credits do I need?
There are three: the Postgraduate Certificate (60 credits), the Postgraduate Diploma (120 credits) and the Masters (180 credits).
Which courses lead to credits?
This year 16 ISA courses and conferences have been accredited as part of the Postgraduate Pathways initiative. These are:
•0-5 EYFS Development - How to Prepare for Change, on 6 October and 6 March
•The Role of Assessment and Classroom Strategies to Improve Teaching and Learning, on 11 October and 24 January, and the follow-up course on 23 May
•Deputy/Assistant Heads' Conference, on 12 October and 3 May
•Autumn Study Conference, on 11-12 November
•Raising the Achievement of Vulnerable Learners: making it work in the classroom, on 16 November
•Challenging your More Able, Gifted and Talented Learners, on 24 November and 18 January
•ICT in the Junior Curriculum, on 1 December
•Learning Outside the Classroom for your EYFS and Junior Pupils, on 26 April
•Annual Conference, on 17-19 May
•ICT to Develop Secondary Teaching and Learning, on 19 June
•Empowering Senior Teachers to Make a Difference in School, on 21 June
How do I get started?
• Decide on a topic for your school-based project and book places on two accredited ISA courses/conferences that have relevance to your project.
• Inform Maggie Turner at ISA maggie.turner@isaschools.org.uk of your intention to pursue the Postgraduate Pathway and contact Tony Simmons on 01962 827327 or tony.simmons@winchester.ac.uk to arrange registration with Winchester.
• Tutorial support will be provided to help you complete your school-based project.
For 20 credits: up to 4,000 words; 30 credits: up to 6,000 words; 40 credits: up to 8,000 words.
Is there any particular course I should consider?
For Middle Leaders and practitioners: we recommend any of the accredited courses followed by Empowering Senior Teachers to Make a Difference in School, on 21 June 2012 at GEMS Sherfield School, Hampshire. Led by Professor Pat Preedy, the course will include a full briefing about the Postgraduate Pathways and support with your chosen school-based project.
For Heads and Senior Leaders: we recommend the Autumn Study Conference and/or Annual Conference, where Professor Pat Preedy will be in attendance to advise, followed by a relevant accredited day course.
How much will it cost?
In addition to the ISA course/conference fees, the current fees for the Masters (180 credits) will be around £2,500 (rather than the full economic cost of £4,500). This will be spread across the modular programme at a cost of approximately £275 per 20 credits, plus £480 for the Research Methods module and £825 for the dissertation (60 credits).
What else do I have to do?
As well as the school-based project(s), a Research Methods module is a compulsory penultimate module, run by the University of Winchester. The fee is currently £480 for up to 60 credits. Please register with Tony Simmons (tony.simmons@winchester.ac.uk) for this module.
And what else do I have to do to gain the Masters?
You will need to complete a 18,000-20,000-word dissertation for 60 credits. Outreach tutorial support is provided and the fee is £825.
Are credits transferable?
Yes, prior accredited learning at Masters Level 7 may be taken into consideration (e.g. NPQH may be transferred for 60 credits). Tony Simmons can advise.
What is the time frame?
The qualifications must be completed within a maximum of five years.
