About the Programme
Our training programme lasts for one academic year and leads to a qualification of a University of Cumbria PGCE and QTS; trainees will also have the opportunity to gain master’s levels credits. The PGCE awarded is teaching at secondary level.
Induction Programme
The induction starts in July when trainees get a chance to meet each other and some key specialists involved in the programme. When the training officially starts in September, trainees benefit from further intensive training, both subject specific and more general to teaching.
Placements
The programme is ‘hands on’ with each trainee undergoing two placements within one of our partner schools. The first placement runs from September to December and the second placement from January to June. Where possible, we try to accommodate any requests for a particular school based on needs, such as travel or childcare.
What is special about our partnership is that there will also be opportunities to personalise placement experiences by, for example, attending a primary school and a post-16 learning environment, preparing the teachers of tomorrow to meet the individual learning needs of all children.
The Training Programme
The majority of the training that takes place will be conducted by us, as well as our cluster schools or subject specialists. As an outward facing school, we are fortunate to have access to a wealth of experience within our alliance schools, who can all offer the support and skills, we believe are required to become an outstanding teacher. Our distinct training programme will provide opportunities to work alongside expert and friendly practitioners from within the partnership who will support professional development throughout the course and beyond.
University Support
Trainees will be required to spend 12 training days and 1 conference day at the University of Cumbria, in Lancaster. Here they will have multiple opportunities to develop their understanding of how different pedagogical approaches can be used to teach their subject through a subject knowledge development programme. During these sessions, trainees will work with a highly experienced tutor, within their subject specialism, who will help them make the transition from a subject expert to a teacher of that subject.
Mentoring Programme
Each of our schools has a General Mentor (Professional) who runs a weekly programme of training events which will help trainees to understand their role within the context of the wider school. Each trainee will also be provided with their own Subject Mentor who will support in developing classroom practice and work with trainees as both a subject specialist and a mentor and coach.
Teaching and Feedback
Although learning to teach, and the way and pace in which that is mastered, is a very personal journey, most of our trainees have built up to teaching 7 hours by December and 14 hours by the end of their final placement. Subject mentors work hard to give trainees ongoing and constructive feedback, via regular meetings and developmental observations, so trainees can feel supported to continually develop and grow their own style of teaching practice in a supportive and welcoming environment.
Next Steps
By the end of the programme, it is important that all of our trainees secure employment in a school that is right for them. Many of our trainees secure positions in our Alliance schools, which means their transition into their early career’s year is a smooth and seamless one. For all trainees, we offer support with writing job applications, and we also conduct mock interviews, with feedback, to alleviate any fears around the interview process. This means our trainee teachers attend interviews prepared, confident and knowledgeable about how the recruitment process works.