WHAT TO EXPECT
PARTNER LED PGCE with QTS
We have worked closely with our university partners to deliver structured teacher training for many years; embedding the Lion Alliance in the local Coventry and Warwickshire community.
Our alliance provides professional support for Initial Teacher Trainees and gives them full access to a well developed CPD (Continuing Professional Development) programme that is personalised to their needs. This is a fully flexible programme to address any development needs that arise throughout the training year and is something we are proud to deliver.
WHAT CAN I EXPECT TRAINING TO TEACH WITH THE LION ALLIANCE?
Although our diverse partner schools all offer slightly different approaches, your training across the year will follow a particular pattern with the partner led Lion Alliance route: usually 4 days in your placement school with one day spent at University. You will be fully immersed in school life so your four days would include morning briefings and any after school commitments. Five times a year we do also bring together all of our trainees for Intensive Training and Practice (ITaP) days. These are wonderful opportunities to not only network and connect with others on your course, but also to receive bespoke training from in-school experts. We always ensure these days are responsive to the current cohort’s needs.
In school, each trainee will be supported by their own individual General Mentor (GM) who will be their point of contact and assist them with lesson planning, delivery and observations. This mentor provides coaching, feedback and completes the progress assessments with the trainee throughout the training year and will be there to support them at all times. They will also have weekly meetings with their trainee throughout the year to review progress regularly and discuss action points.
Each trainee will also be supported by a Professional Mentor (PM) who is a secondary point of contact and will deliver regular Initial teacher Trainee CPD programme at each of our partner schools. This mentor will provide both the trainee and general mentor with support throughout the training year and is there to facilitate and ensure the standard of the training is high.
Initial Teacher Training will involve:
– Supporting mentor/tutor groups alongside experienced teaching staff to develop relationships with other staff members and children in a safe environment.
– Developing classroom experience through observation, planning and delivery. The amount of lessons our trainees deliver will start small and will increase across the training year as they develop their skills.
– Being issued a timetable which has been planned to meet your individual course needs, keeping your current ability and progress in mind.
– Being provided with the tools to work effectively; including a laptop for communication, planning and lesson delivery (or access to a laptop, device or computer when on the school site).
– Opportunities for our trainees to take part in wider school activities and events; including taking part in school INSET/training days.
– Taking part in the wider CPD programme across the Lion Alliance.
This is far from a complete list and you will have lots of opportunities to get involved.
HOW DO THE COURSES DIFFER BETWEEN EACH UNIVERSITY?
There are slight differences depending on which university you choose to train to teach through. All of our courses are generally similar in that you will all receive consistent training and have a base placement school and go on a second placement (although the timing and length of these differs). We also arrange time for you to spend with SEND (Special Educational Needs & Disabilities) departments that equates to 4 full days, or 20 full hours, during your training year.
There may also be specific expectations that you will need to achieve to pass your course.
SECONDARY
COMPULSORY COURSE REQUIREMENTS
– You will be expected to spend 4 full days in a Primary school environment that you will need to arrange, as part of the course.
LECTURES
Lectures are delivered via a combination of in person and online virtual sessions throughout the year. In person sessions are held on the universities main campus.
COMPULSORY COURSE REQUIREMENTS
– You will be expected to experience teaching in a second subject, in addition to your applied subject, as part of the course.
LECTURES
Lectures are delivered via a combination of in person and online virtual sessions throughout the year. In person sessions are held on the universities main campus.
COMPULSORY COURSE REQUIREMENTS
– You are required to get KS5 (AS / A level) classroom and teaching experience as part of the course.
LECTURES
Lectures are delivered completely online throughout the year. There are no in person lectures.
PRIMARY
COMPULSORY COURSE REQUIREMENTS
– You will be expected to spend time in a Year 7 secondary environment for a short amount of time, to understand how your students transition between primary into secondary.
– You will be expected to gain experience in Early Years Foundation Stages (EYFS) for a short amount of time.
LECTURES
Lectures are delivered via a combination of in person and online virtual sessions throughout the year. In person sessions are held on the universities main campus.
LECTURES
Lectures are delivered via a combination of in person and online virtual sessions throughout the year. In person sessions are held on the universities main campus.
LECTURES
Lectures are delivered completely online throughout the year. There are no in person lectures.
THE FIRST DAY OF A PLACEMENT
PARKING
– Parking is available on all of our partner schools sites.
WHERE TO GO
– Report to your school’s reception on arrival unless you’ve arranged otherwise with your subject/professional mentor.
– You will be required to sign-in using the schools sign-in system for fire safety purposes.
WHAT TO BRING
– Bring 3 form of ID – The school may ask to take a photocopy of these.
(Usually a Passport, Driving Licence and a Utility Bill with your current address on).
– Bring your DBS/CRB Certificate so that the school can confirm that you are safe to be in the school site unaccompanied. The school may ask to take a photocopy of this too.
– Packed Lunch – its a good idea to bring a lunch with you on the first day so that you can understand the schools lunch processes.
WHAT TO WEAR
– Wear appropriate professional, business attire (think about what teachers wear on a day to day basis).
WHAT A SCHOOL DAY LOOKS LIKE
Below is an approximation of what a typical school day of a trainee teacher would look like. This will differ from school to school and should be used as a guide only.
8.15am – 8.35am
Arrive at school and sign-in before going to your department area to prepare for the day.
8.35am – 8.45am
Attend a morning staff briefing.
8.45am – 9.15am
Mentor/Tutor group time (may include some pastoral activities).
9.15am – 10.15am (Period 1)
Weekly mentor meeting including discussions around progress/planning/assessments.
10.15am – 11.15am (Period 2)
Lesson observation where you will watch another teacher’s lesson; observing for good practice, behaviour management, learning activities etc.
11.15am – 11.35am
Break time (this an opportunity to have a well deserved break or meet with other staff in the department/school).
11.35am – 12.35pm (Period 3)
Preparation time where you can lesson plan, spend time creating resources or meet with other teachers etc.
12.35pm – 1:15pm
Lunch time (this an opportunity to have a well deserved break).
1:15pm – 2:15pm (Period 4)
Deliver a Lesson (your timetable will increase as your classroom confidence and skills levels develop and grow).
2:15pm – 3:15pm (Period 5)
Reflect and evaluate lessons you’ve delivered with your subject mentor, or complete personal reflection yourself with the intention to go over this with your subject mentor at a later date.
3:15pm
End of the school day
3:15pm – 4.15pm
After school meeting (this could be a department level/ITT training meeting).