Training and Development - B.A.C.E

The B.A. Program in Curative Education

It is a distinctive feature of Curative Education that it seeks to promote and implement a holistic and fully integrated approach to the care, education, and therapeutic treatment of children, young people and adults, such that the conventional professional boundaries are reduced whilst the cultivation of specialist skills is retained. This study programme of Curative Education has been running since the late 1940’s and has recently been redeveloped into a degree programme, in partnership with the University of Aberdeen.

The B.A.C.E aims to provide students with training of a high standard in the multi-disciplinary profession of Curative Education, based on intensive practical experience within a residential context for professional qualification, supported by formal teaching and artistic activities, tutorials and written work. The theories and approaches of Curative Education are placed within and compared with current mainstream thinking.

By living in family units with pupils, residents and co-workers, students gain practical care skills under the direct supervision of experienced house co-ordinators. This important avenue of experiential learning aims to develop the student\'s abilities to form sensitive, empathic relationships with the children, young people and adults, and to acquire the skills of responsible care management through the day-to-day activities of the extended family within the student\'s designated house. This forms the basis of the first stage and continues throughout all years.

In Stage II students continue to study general subjects, but can choose one of four electives as focus for their practice: Education, Care, Crafts or Therapeutic Activities.

Stage III offers the opportunity for individual research, leading to a BA Degree in Curative Education.

Main Features of the Programme

• The course is structured over four years on a part-time basis with progression from SCQF level 7 to 9.

• Work-based practice experience is a significant feature of the course.

• Study is undertaken at three stages, each of 15 months’ duration. Delivery of the programme is arranged within the four Camphill-Rudolf Steiner-Schools (calendar) terms.

  Michaelmas - August to October

  Christmas - October to December

  Easter - January to April

  Summer - April to July

• At Stage I there are six courses each with a credit value of 20 credits at SCQF7. Students can exit with a Certificate of Higher Education in Curative Education.

• At Stage II there are two compulsory courses, each with a credit value of 30 credits (60 in total) both at SCQF8. Students then elect one practice-focused route within Curative Education: Care, Education, Therapeutic Activities or Crafts (60 credits at SCQF8).

• Students can exit following Stage II with a Diploma of Higher Education in Curative Education.

The Diploma of Higher Education in Curative Education is the minimum qualification recognised by Camphill Communities for working in the field of Curative Education. Students are encouraged to complete the B.A.C.E in order to deepen and extend learning and to stimulate research activity both for themselves and for the Camphill Communities.

The majority of students live and work within the residential setting of a Camphill Centre whilst participating on this programme of study. Those who are participating in the B.A.C.E. and don’t live in the residential setting must fulfil their practice requirement in one of the designated communities.

A commitment of each student to their practical work and theoretical study is important to match the financial commitment and support required of the Camphill Centre on behalf of each student taking part in any stage of the BA Programme.