Placements 

This policy should be read in conjunction with: 

• The University's policy on managing placement learning in the Learning and Teaching Handbook. 

Placement activity  

Reflective involvement with the realities of the church and the world is an important feature of the Common Awards programmes for most students. Such reflective involvement encourages a continuous and critical conversation between knowledge and experience. 

This can involve:  

1. Field visits arranged for the whole class as part of a specific module of study; 
2. Extended visits, including overseas visits, for individual students or groups of students, whether as part of a specific module, or as an extra that supports learning across several modules; 
3. Context-based learning, most often available to students who are undertaking work (either paid or voluntary) in a church or church-related context which enables them to develop skills and understanding related to their programme; and 
4. Placements arranged in negotiation with the TEI as an integral part of the student’s programme. These could take the form of an attachment to a church or parish throughout the student’s programme of study, or a short-term placement in a church or other organisation, such as a hospital or a school. 

The Common Awards Learning Hours policy sets out parameters for how much time can be devoted to these forms of learning within a module. 

The Common Awards framework includes a number of modules that automatically involve a significant placement; for example, Foundations for Reflective Practice in Context. Such modules normally involve some elements of classroom-based learning, but the main focus of the module is the placement and the theological reflection that emerges from it. 

Many other modules are primarily classroom-based, but can include a placement learning element; for example, Foundations for Ministry and Mission in Context. 

Managing Placements 

TEIs are responsible for having systems in place for helping student identify suitable placements, for providing advice and support to ensure that placements are fit for purpose, for monitoring what goes on during a placement, for responding to any problems that arise, and for overseeing any associated assessment. 

For all placements, a named person in the placement context should act as a supervisor and liaise with the TEI to ensure that the placement offers the student the opportunity to achieve specified learning outcomes. 

For all placements, the TEI must ensure that the student and the placement supervisor have clear information in advance about the expectations for the student's learning, and about what needs to happen for that learning to be successful. 

TEI Placement Policy  

TEIs are responsible for creating and reviewing their own placement policy, detailing all of the above; a document which will have been approved by Durham University.