This School Centred ITE Programme offers an Early Years PGCE course and a Primary PGCE course. On these courses the majority of your training will take place in local primary schools and nursery schools. Training also consists of central sessions in core subjects and in General Professional Studies.
The courses work with a partnership of primary schools and nursery schools in Herefordshire, Shropshire, Worcestershire, the rural West Midlands and Powys.
Both courses lead to the award of Qualified Teacher Status (QTS) and either Postgraduate Certificate of Education or Professional Graduate Certificate in Education depending on the level taken. The PGCE is validated by Birmingham City University.
This is a course in which partner schools have been given considerable responsibility for the training programme. School based personnel guide, monitor and continually assess the progress of individual Trainee Teachers.
Training is extended at central training sessions in Herefordshire and in partner schools elsewhere using a team of Subject Tutors with considerable expertise and a commitment to ensuring that each Trainee Teacher achieves his/her professional potential.
This one-year full –time course aims to help Trainee Teachers to become capable, confident and well instructed professionals.
What makes the programme so successful is the unique combination of practical hands on experience within the classroom together with structured support, advice and guidance at every stage. You will be supported throughout the course and during your school placements by your Training Manager and Mentor.
This emphasis on collaboration will help to ensure your enjoyment and successful completion of the course.
School Experience
Depending on the age range which the trainee has opted for, a programme of school placements will provide experience across either the Foundation Stage and Key Stage 1, or Key Stage 1 and Key Stage 2 as appropriate to Early Years or Primary Programmes.
In the autumn term, the Early Years Trainee starts in the Key Stage 1 placement and then pursues an induction programme. The Trainee Teacher is then gradually introduced into Key Stage 1 classes to work on the Core and Foundation subjects. The Primary Trainee will be introduced to Key Stage 2 classes. For both phases there will be weekly tutorials with the Training Manager and time with the class teacher and/or Mentor to plan the introduction to classroom practice. Time will also be set aside to research and prepare for assignments and teaching.
During this time the Trainee Teacher will move through a sequence of observations, set tasks and other teaching and learning experiences. By the end of the Autumn Term, the Trainee Teacher is likely to have a 50% teaching timetable comprising one-to-one work, group work and some supported teaching of the whole class. Throughout this term the Early Years Trainee Teacher will have had experience with Foundation children in preparation for the Foundation Placement in the Spring Term. The Primary Trainee will have had gained experience in Years 3/4 or 5/6 depending on the individual training programme.
During the Spring Term, the Trainee Teacher will learn about the Foundation Stage Curriculum or the KS2 Curriculum through observation, discussion, the completion of set tasks and a gradual increase in teaching responsibility. In both the autumn and spring placements the Trainee Teacher will develop skills in meeting the learning needs of individual children, supporting inclusive practices and using Information and Communication Technology to supportive children’s learning.
Finally in the Summer Term the Trainee Teacher and placement school negotiate the final teaching timetable which comprises approximately 90% whole class teaching time.
School Experience 1
Placement in a Primary School for Key Stage 1 or Key Stage 2 experience.
School Experience 2
Early Years Trainees will be placed In an Early Years setting or Reception class for Foundation Stage experience. Primary Trainees will be placed in a Key Stage 2 setting which balances their School Experience 1 placement.
School Experience 3
Early Years Trainees will have a placement in Primary School with the main emphasis on extended teaching at Key Stage 1. Primary Trainees will have a placement in either Year 3/4 or 5/6 to extend their teaching in that age range.
The Trainee Teacher is welcomed into the school as a professional colleague. Schools and Trainee Teachers work actively in partnership, with recognition of the change in expectations from postgraduate student through to professional teacher.
Involvement in the varied aspects of the social life of the school, participation in activities and attendance at relevant meetings are considered an integral part of professional development.
Entry requirements
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How to apply
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