Course stucture
Location: Secondary placements will be in two contrasting high schools, selected to meet your training needs and interests. Training conferences at held at our Professional Development Centre in Appleton, Warrington.
Content:
Secondary students will spend time undertaking focused observation in classes of your own subject and within other faculties to help you acquire the knowledge, understanding and skills required to plan for pupils’ learning. After this observation period, three or four days per week will be spent training in classrooms under the guidance of your mentors.
Together we will also concentrate on growing your professional, personal and academic knowledge, understanding and skills. You will learn the pedagogy of teaching from our experienced, current practitioners. Successful completion of the practical part of the course will lead to recommendation for Qualified Teacher Status (QTS).
You will also study for a Post Graduate Certificate of Education, completing four assignments under the guidance of the University of Derby. Lectures will be delivered by the University and you will achieve 60 Masters credits towards a Masters degree that can be completed during your teaching career.
Aims of the course
To deliver high quality, innovative, research-led practice
To develop reflective and responsive practitioners over time
To foster practice which promotes high quality outcomes for learners
To ensure a supportive and nurturing environment which will allow trainees to flourish
Inspire a high level of professional conduct which reflects our key values of integrity, community and passion
Partnership is central to all that we do. All our actions are centred around building deep, sustainable relationships
Placements and Support
The secondary training programme consists of two extended placements in contrasting TCAT schools (September to February and February to June).
Three or four days a week will be in classrooms under the guidance of a Curriculum Mentor who will model exemplary practice in planning teaching and assessment to prepare you to be the best teacher you can be. Your expertise will be extended during subject knowledge days when you will meet with other trainees to participate in research-based learning.
A Professional Mentor in each school will ensure you are supported at all times. You will also have a University Tutor to support your PGCE studies.
How you will be assessed
You will be assessed through observations with your school mentors and feedback will be through timetabled weekly meetings with your Curriculum. At the end of a successful year, you will be awarded Qualified Teacher Status (QTS) as well as your PGCE.
Further experience
Secondary trainees will also gain Primary, KS5 experience and an insight into EAL.
In addition, we will provide opportunities for you to extend your experience into specialised educational settings including Special Schools and Alternative Provisions. There is also an opportunity to request a third placement at the end of the course to work further with KS5 students.
A bespoke course tailored to you
Your timetable and teaching load will be tailored to your needs and determined by your confidence and competence. We recruit candidates who have the potential to be highly effective teachers and we aim for all trainees to be outstanding by the end of their training.
Our Initial Teacher Training (ITT) programme provides a firm grounding in practical skills and classroom experience. Spending more of your training in the school environment has proven to be one of the most effective preparations for a career in teaching. Our staff support the delivery of a curriculum that is personalised to reflect the needs of TCAT pupils and schools, ensuring your training is both relevant and impactful. The programme is designed to create the next generation of outstanding teachers who will help lead schools to continued success.