Bishop Challoner Teaching School Alliance Train to Teach with the BCTSA SCHOOL DIRECT PGCE

School Direct is a programme where schools or partnerships of schools apply for trainee teacher places. This means schools can choose the teacher training provider they wish to work with and have more control over what training is provided. The TSA works with University of Warwick, University of Birmingham and Newman University. Schools recruit the trainees they want, and if possible the trainees will go on to teach in their school, or another school in their partnership, once qualified. SCHOOL DIRECT

At least a grade C in GCSE English and mathematics (or equivalent), and for those training to teach in Primary schools at least a grade C in Science (or equivalent). A university first degree, class 2:2 or above (or equivalent). All candidates offered a place must complete the professional skills tests in numeracy and literacy before they start the course. QUALIFICATIONS

Information about the Professional Skills Tests: The number of resits allowed is limited to two per subject (three attempts) Practice materials are available on the above website (fully interactive and non interactive) and candidates are strongly encouraged to practice before sitting the tests. If a place is accepted with us opportunities will be offered for you to be supported in preparing for the tests. PROFESSIONAL SKILLS TESTS

SCHOOL DIRECT TRAINING BURSARIES FOR THOSE ON THE TRAINING ROUTE WHO TRAIN IN 2015/16

SCHOOL DIRECT SALARIED Eligibility: at least 3 year’s career experience (This can be reduced if a substantial amount of time has been career experience in schools.) Trainees on the salaried route will be paid on at least point 1 of the unqualified teacher scale, which is approximately £16,000. Schools will pay the tuition fees. There will also be a cost of £2,000 for the PGCE module which can be paid by the trainee or the school. Physics, Maths, Computing and Physics with Maths have a starting salary of at least £21,000.

Financial Support Tuition fee loan If you are on a postgraduate teacher training course which is not salaried, you will have to pay tuition fees. Home and EU students may be eligible for a tuition fee loan to cover the cost of tuition fees charged. Go to: funding funding You may also be eligible for other loans and grants. For details go to: options/funding/standard-loans-and-grants options/funding/standard-loans-and-grants

How to apply Applications are made on the UCAS website. There is a fee of £19 for this. You can select 3 choices in Apply 1 at the same time, for any route into teaching. This round opened on 28 th October Providers then have 40 working days to make a decision and inform you. Potentially you could have 3 interviews within this period. After you have received all 3 decisions you then have 10 working days to accept one of the offers or not. If you do not get a place in Apply 1 or you decline all offers you can then apply in the Apply 2 round. In Apply 2 you can make an unlimited number of choices, but only one at a time. This round opened on 2 nd January 2015.

What providers are looking for Important to convey why you want to teach What you can offer and why you will make a good teacher How you know that teaching is right for you What experience you have had in schools that has confirmed this Convey your communication skills The personal statement is the most crucial part of your application form. It is used by training providers to assess your commitment to teaching, desire for self-development, and enthusiasm about education.

References Two references are needed. One has to be an academic reference if it is less than 5 years ago since you left University. The other reference should be someone who can comment on your character and potential as a teacher.

Recommendations If you have international qualifications obtain a Statement of Comparability from NARIC. This can take some time, so start the process before you submit your application. Take the professional skills tests as soon as possible. If your degree does not link closely to your chosen teaching subject, you are advised to take a subject knowledge enhancement course (SKE). However these are only available in chemistry, computer science, maths, MFL, Physics and Design & Technology (D&T). More details at: groups/age-groups/teaching-secondary/boost-subject-knowledge

School Experience Gaining classroom experience before starting your initial teacher training (ITT) can help you be sure that a career in teaching is right for you. It also supports your application for ITT. School Experience Programme The School Experience Programme gives prospective ITT applicants the opportunity to spend up to 10 days in a school to gain an insight into the role and responsibilities of a teacher. It targets high-quality graduates and undergraduates who are interested in teaching. Bishop Challoner and partner schools host School Experience Programme visits. Subjects available: Chemistry, Maths, Physics, Art & Design, English, Geography, History, PE, RE For other subjects or if not eligible for the SEP programme then contact:

Bishop Challoner Teaching School Alliance “School Direct gives you the maximum amount of experience possible within a school year. It means that you are fully prepared going into your first year of teaching.” Dave Wilson School Direct PE Trainee (2013/2014)

Bishop Challoner Teaching School Alliance “Being able to spend most of my teacher training year in one school and build relationships with the staff and pupils is a great opportunity. I feel supported as part of my department and am included in wider school activities, giving me a broader experience.” Alice Blakemore School Direct Physics Trainee (2013/2014)

Applying to Bishop Challoner Teaching School Alliance

Current Vacancies Training Route: Biology Chemistry Computing Design and Technology Engineering English Geography Mathematics Modern Languages (French, Spanish, German) Music Salaried Route: Computing English Mathematics Physics Physics with Maths Physics Physics with Mathematics Primary (General) Primary (PE Specialism) Religious Education

Primary (PE Specialism) As part of a national initiative this new teacher training programme has been developed to increase the quality and quantity of PE teaching in primary schools. Primary Specialist PE Teachers will be trained to: teach English, mathematics and science lead high quality PE and sport provision within primary schools support other primary teachers to develop their skills in delivering PE/sport lead regional sport initiatives to improve primary PE/sport

Your Interview  Use the internet to research the latest developments in education  Try the interactive interview and application assistant your-interview/interactive-interview.aspx your-interview/interactive-interview.aspx  Look at training providers’ websites such as: University of Warwick: University of Birmingham: education/courses education/courses Newman University: directhttp:// direct

Your Interview – Submitting an application – Inviting for interview – Interview: Written task (30 minutes) Micro-lesson* Formal interview *As part of your interview you may be asked to teach a micro-lesson to a small group of students on a particular topic. See if you can get advice on this when you undertake school experience.

University/BCTSA Programme School Direct trainees attend the University of Warwick or the University of Birmingham on Fridays throughout the year. Primary PE trainees attend Newman University or Bishop Challoner on Wednesdays. On these days there will be Reflective Practice sessions, Masters Module sessions for the PGCE and meetings with your university tutors. Training days at Bishop Challoner will also be part of the Friday programme. There will be a complementary placement of at least 20 days in a different type of school within the TSA.