In a new partnership between UCMK and Milton Keynes Council, which aims to help improve the quality of professionals working in primary school education, current Applied Education Studies students’ at UCMK are eligible for a bursary, which is open to part-time employment-based education degree participants.

The students to benefit from the £200 incentive are 12 teaching assistants, who are undertaking the Applied Education Studies course at UCMK. This course was launched just last September with students studying part-time for four years around their work in schools and settings.

“This is fantastic news for the University Campus Milton Keynes and the students involved, who now have extra financial support for things such as books and travel,” said Juliet Fern, Head of the Department of Education Studies at the University of Bedfordshire.

“By supporting the professional development of the Applied Education Studies students’ via the bursary, Milton Keynes Council recognises this course is providing a local qualification route for those who wish to progress into teaching, most of whom are teaching assistants working at schools in the MK area.

“When we launched the Applied Education course at UCMK, MK Council quickly showed interest in our work. We look forward to a successful partnership.”

Open to first-year degree students, the next intake of UCMK Applied Education Studies’ students will start in September 2014.

Marion Hogan, Workforce Officer for Settings and Schools at MK Council, added: “In addition to teaching assistants, the Applied Education Studies course is designed for anyone working in the education sector, including Nursery Practitioners. The bursary will help students to further their learning and become Milton Keynes’ outstanding teachers of the future.”