QTS/PGCE basic info.
Course Information
Forest Independent Primary Collegiate
QTS/PGCE
The principal aim of the ITT at the Forest Independent primary Collegiate is to enable trainees to achieve the Training and Development Agency for Schools’ Qualifying to Teach Standards (QTT 2002) and the Post Graduate Certificate in Education and to become effective Newly Qualified Teachers. Teaching practice is central to the course and is organised so that trainees can develop their expertise systematically throughout the course.
Explicit links between FIPC taught sessions and school based work are recorded in the trainee/mentor planner although the tutors will direct trainee attention in taught sessions to important areas that need observing, understanding or applying.
During the Autumn and Spring terms trainees will have their taught sessions. It is a requirement of the course that trainees attend and they will have exams to assess knowledge and understanding in ICT, English, Science, Maths, Professional Studies and Educational Theory.
The professional studies and educational theory courses contribute to knowledge and understanding and skills, which underpin trainee’s professional role. Through lectures, practical workshops and discussions, trainees are encouraged to reflect upon current educational issues and professional values and practice.
Trainees successful school experience depends upon the mutual understanding and active participation of trainees, school staff and subject tutors.
Assessment
The award of QTS and subsequent PGCE is based on the assessment of
- major assignments
- short tasks
- teaching Practice
- presentations
- examination
- session assessment
There is also an expectation that the following are part of an on-going assessment process and completion of the course:
- up-keep of the teaching practice file
- up-keep of assessment and record file
- completion of the behaviour journal
- attendance at taught sessions
- attendance at school experience and teaching practice days
Your assignments have been chosen to relate theory direct to your practice. We hope you will develop both reflective and critical thinking about what you do. It is also important to explore writings about education and to develop not only strategies and skills but also an interest in learning and behaviour.
Teaching methods
A variety of teaching methods are used including discussions, workshops, taught sessions, mentor tutorials, lectures and observed teaching experience. Trainees will have experience of a variety of age groups and abilities.
Teaching Practice 1
There will be two days during induction for you to acquaint yourself with the school you will be placed in for your first two weeks’ teaching practice and school experience days.
Teaching Practice 2
This practice is six weeks long. TP2 concentrates on the trainees’ ability to assess and record, to plan good lessons and to learn how to be confident with a second Key Stage class.
SEN Practice
This ten-day practice will take place in a special school. Trainees are expected to observe and then plan and teach lessons with the help of the teacher. The trainee will have opportunity to observe ways of managing children and teaching children with a variety of complex difficulties.
Teaching Practice 3
This practice is eight weeks long. Trainees will spend a day before this practice in the school on school experience in an LSA role in order to familiarise themselves with the children’s names, resources in the classroom and other aspects of the class and school.
During the practice the trainee will be expected to plan all lessons within their 80% teaching and show reflection that informs their future planning and teaching. They will be expected to record and assess the children’s progress.
QTS Award.
Trainees will complete National Tests for QTS in Maths, English and ICT.
The PGCE element of the course is validated by Middlesex University.
Ethical considerations.
It is an expectation that trainees from the Forest Independent Primary Collegiate will show courtesy, confidentiality, respect for others and impartiality of judgement.
Forest Independent Primary Collegiate as Designated Recommending Body for Graduate Trainee Programme (GTP)
Click here to read our GTP brochure on-line
The Graduate Teacher Programme offers twenty places. Graduates are placed in good schools and receive the support of the Leader of the GTP programme and the team.
In the Autumn term, graduates have two days training at the college and then planned days in the Spring term with whole week teaching in schools in the Summer term.