The Rutland and District Schools’ Federation are delighted to announce we are running teacher training opportunities in partnership with Nottingham Trent University.

The training programme is school-led initial teacher training, offering a training route to achieving qualified teacher status (QTS).

WHAT DOES SECONDARY INITIAL TEACHER TRAINING COVER?

During the Secondary ITT year, trainees will have experience in Key Stage 3 (Years 7-9), Key Stage 4 (Years 10-11) and, in some cases, Key Stage 5 (Years 12-13).

During the interview process there will be the opportunity to discuss whether you wish to teach Key Stage 5 or if you would prefer to focus on Key Stages 3 and 4. It is a requirement to have taught a minimum of two key stages in your training year.

Another requirement of the course is that trainees complete two days in a primary school. This provides trainees with an invaluable insight into the importance of transition from primary to secondary. Trainees will also be allocated a tutor group where they will gain an understanding of the importance of the pastoral role in education.

WHY TEACHER TRAINING ?

With the initial teacher training programme, trainee teachers will be given in-depth experience in the classroom. You will complete a main placement for the majority of the year where you will be part of the staff team and have consistent classes to build relationships and routines with.

Following two weeks at Nottingham Trent University, trainees will be in the classroom for four days a week up to Christmas. After Christmas, trainees will spend 6 weeks in a second placement school to build different experiences. The rest of the year will be spent in the main placement school where trainees’ teaching loads will increase gradually to suit individual needs.

In addition, away from the classroom, you will receive practical training sessions within the College from experienced teachers. Nottingham Trent University will also lead sessions to support your academic development. Weekly mentor meetings will also address personal strengths and areas for development.

WHY CATMOSE COLLEGE ?

Rutland and District Schools’ Federation comprises of Catmose Primary, Catmose College and Harington School. Catmose College is the only state school in Rutland to have KS5 provision on site, and with that the opportunity to observe, and maybe teach, some of the Year 12 and 13 students. Similarly, trainees will spend a couple of days in Catmose Primary observing KS2 students before they start at Catmose College.

Catmose College is situated in Oakham, in the heart of Rutland, and has committed staff and talented, hardworking students whose contributions make the College truly exceptional. There is an extensive curriculum both inside and outside of the classroom to ensure that every student can develop their existing strengths as well as discover new ones. Academic courses are complemented and enhanced by an ‘Electives’ programme which encompasses the creative arts, sports, music and drama, with many further opportunities also available in our flourishing extracurricular programme. Trainees will have the opportunity to participate in and team teach within the elective programme.

Catmose College is a technology-led facility and offers a range of devices for student use. PCs are located throughout the College building and each student is given a unique login to give them access to the machines at any time during the day. Available from the library, students are able to borrow a range of fiction and non-fiction books, iPads, laptops, digital cameras, broadcast quality video cameras, audio recorders and microphones. With designated music classrooms, practice suites, a fully equipped theatre, drama studio and sports centre, practical facilities enable students to flourish.

 

TESTIMONIAL

“I thoroughly enjoyed my (ITT) experience at Catmose College. During my training year, I found the support from the other trainees across subjects extremely helpful and we were able to share the journey to becoming qualified teachers. The training programme helped to build my confidence both as an individual and  within the classroom. It was exciting to push myself outside of my comfort zone and develop my relationships with students through school trips, extracurricular activities and the electives programme. I benefitted greatly from having the opportunity to observe and utilise the expertise of my experienced colleagues, and the support from both the ITT coordinator and the English Team was invaluable. The Principal ran a really useful CPD session for trainees on personal statement writing and applying for jobs. It is a testament to the College’s fantastic support that I was able to train there before going on to complete both my ECT years with the Federation.”

Olivia Wilson, Teacher of English, Catmose College

 

HOW WILL I BE SUPPORTED DURING THE YEAR?

The year is designed to help trainees build up to the equivalent teaching requirements of an Early Career Teacher (ECT). The trainee’s timetable will increase gradually across the year.

In a placement (both base school and second school), trainees will have a mentor. The mentor is there for day-to-day support, help with planning and suggestions for university tasks, answering any questions that may arise during the year and will conduct regular observations and provide structured feedback. Trainees will also be provided with a University Link Tutor who will conduct visits during the year and provide feedback and support.

If you have any further questions relating to potential school placements, please direct these to our Secondary ITT Coordinator, Danielle Moosajee (dmoosajee@catmosecollege.com).

 

REQUIREMENTS OF THE APPLICANTS

  • A UK honours degree or equivalent with a 2:2 – at least 50% of which is in the subject you wish to teach or in a closely related subject.
  • GCSE English and Mathematics at minimum grade C or equivalent. Applicants with pending qualifications will be considered.
  • Disclosure and Barring Service and Prohibition Order checks and a satisfactory health check passed prior to enrolling.
  • Two references – one academic and one vocational.
  • An interview with both the training school and NTU is part of the selection process.
  • It may strengthen your application to have had some experience in a classroom in a UK mainstream school, setting or college, although this is not an entry requirement.

More information is available at www.ntu.ac.uk/course/education/pg/pgce-school-direct-training-programme-secondary