University of the West of England
Department of Education and Childhood
### Department of Education and Childhood

The **Department of Education and Childhood** (formerly the School of Education) is part of the Faculty of Social Sciences and Humanities. Its origins lie in teacher training colleges at [Redland](/wiki/Redland%2C_Bristol "Redland, Bristol") and [St Matthias](/wiki/St_Matthias "St Matthias") which became part of the former Bristol Polytechnic in 1969\. The dean of the school is Ron Ritchie, who is also an assistant vice\-chancellor of the university. A new purpose built home for the department was completed in 2000 for the department at the university's Frenchay campus.

The department offers undergraduate degrees in initial teacher education in early years education or primary education, as well as an education studies \+ PGCE (3\+1\) programme. [Postgraduate Certificate in Education](/wiki/Postgraduate_Certificate_in_Education "Postgraduate Certificate in Education") courses are offered as well as a range of professional development courses for teachers, further and higher education teachers and lecturers, and school support staff.


How does the department's focus on teacher education impact the wider community?