Postgraduate Initial Teacher Training
Primary Postgraduate Initial Teacher Education
Geoffrey Field Junior School has a long history as a recruiter of excellent teachers through the original school based training route known as the GTP and then as a lead school on the School Direct programme. Even as the face of recruitment changes, our commitment and passion for the recruitment of skilled, reflective and dedicated teachers remains the same.
We will continue our long held partnership with The University of Reading as a lead partner on the new courses that are now being offered. We are now recruiting through Apply for the following opportunities-
Primary Professional Graduate Certificate in Education (PgCE) QTS
Primary Postgraduate Certificate in Education (PGCE) QTS
Primary (5-11) with Special Educational Needs (PgCE) QTS
Primary (5-11) with Special Educational Needs (PGCE) QTS
https://www.gov.uk/apply-for-teacher-training
We are very proud to provide these courses as we believe that it provides the right balance between classroom based experience and the theory and subject knowledge teaching provided by our esteemed colleagues at The University of Reading. As a lead partner, our role is to recruit schools and trainees to the programme and to then support both through the training year. As a fully inclusive school we are able to support pupils and staff members with disabilities and additional needs. Our school has some facilities for disabled people and we are happy to discuss how we can support any other additional needs.
All courses run for the academic school year and will provide successful trainees with qualified teacher status (QTS) which will enable you to teach as a qualified teacher in the UK.
As a school based training programme you will be based in one main school for two out of three of your placements. You will be allocated a mentor in your main school who will meet with you for one hour a week to discuss your progress, set targets and feedback on teaching and learning. You will have the same mentor for the whole year although you will be working alongside different class teachers.
Your university based central training will take place over blocked weeks and on scheduled dates throughout the academic year. This is where you will learn about professional values, teaching theory and the subject knowledge of the curriculum that you will be teaching. In school you will have 3 separate placements working with different experienced teachers. Initially, you will be observing and working alongside them as you get to know the children and the class routines. At a pace tailored to you, you will then begin to take on small, groups and then eventually you will be responsible for planning, teaching and assessing the children for 80% of their timetable. This is a responsibility that you will be build up to across the year on a very individually tailored programme designed between yourself and your mentor.
There are three separate placements, two of which take place in your main school. The second placement takes place in another school, this is organised by Emma Berry, in your lead partner school, Geoffrey Field Junior School. The aim of this placement, where you will work towards leading 60% of the timetable, is that you experience an alternative setting. For example, if your main school is a large school in an urban area you could be allocated a place in a smaller more rural school. Another example might be to experience the differences in teaching and learning in a faith school or special needs setting.
As the lead partner school we also run an additional CPD (continued professional development) programme for the trainees in our and other partner schools. This training programme has been designed and reconfigured every year to suit the needs of the trainees and aims to compliment and support the central training provided by The University of Reading. Sessions take place predominantly at the lead partner school and are full of practical ideas that can be taken back to the classroom. It is also an opportunity to meet other trainees, share and discuss practice as well as the highs and lows of life as a trainee teacher!
All of the courses are undertaken on a fee paying basis, details of which are available on Apply using the following link.
https://www.gov.uk/apply-for-teacher-training
Successful trainees will be invited to an interview morning or afternoon the first of which will take place on Tuesday 28th November. During this time all candidates will be interviewed by a panel of heads and Ittcos from schools who have expressed an interest in working with the lead partner. They will also be asked to complete a written exercise which could be to talk about an issue in education or their own experience of education. Finally, candidates will be asked to complete a short discussion activity with a group of children. The task will be based on a short text and some questions which will be provided for the candidates in advance of the interview. The purpose of this activity is for schools to see how well candidates engage and interact with the children during the discussion.
Schools that are hoping to recruit trainee teachers are –
- Geoffrey Field Junior School (lead partner)
- Southcote Primary School
- Katesgrove Primary School
- St Michael’s Primary School
- Whitley Park Primary School
We welcome visits to the lead partner school to discuss the course further and to have a tour around the school. Please contact Emma Berry at the lead partner school for more information. Email- eberry@geoffreyfield-jun.reading.sch.uk
Follow this link for the UCAS website for more information https://www.ucas.com/
Please open the attachment, I hope you find these links to our provider, Reading University, of interest
https://getintoteaching.education.gov.uk/train-to-be-a-teacher
https://www.reading.ac.uk/education/pgce-qts-and-eyts/primary-pgce
https://www.reading.ac.uk/ready-to-study/study/subject-area/education-pg/pgce-primary-education
Geoffrey Field Junior School Initial Teacher Training
Our vision
At Geoffrey Field Junior School we are committed to providing the highest quality training for teachers at all stages of development – from those who join us for work experience to members of the senior management team. We approach teacher training very much as a team where everyone is involved in the support and development of teachers and trainees. In keeping with our school motto “All learning together” we encourage every member of staff to reach their full potential by ensuring that we provide the highest calibre of training and mentorship that we can throughout their careers.
ITT and our children
The children at Geoffrey Field Junior School are also involved in working with trainee teachers and support staff. They are often asked to provide feedback on lessons and sessions that have been led by trainees and their comments are always taken on board. Children have the opportunity to work with such a wide variety of adults at all stages of their careers at our school which is of huge benefit to them. Our children are always complimented by visiting teachers and trainees for their excellent behaviour and attitude to learning which trainees always find supportive.
To Apply