Subject information
How the programme is organised
The programme starts in early September with a two-week attendance at a primary school* followed by an introductory five-week period based mostly at the University. (*NB. For Modern Languages trainees the programme starts with a one-week attendance at a primary school and one-week at a secondary school.)
You then begin your first 7 week school/college placement, gaining practical teaching experience working closely with a specially trained mentor. You maintain contact with the University both through attendance at University-based seminars and also tutor visits to you in your placement school/college.
In the Spring Term, after a period based at the University you have a 7 week placement in a different school/college, finally returning to your original 'partner' placement in the Summer Term. We make every effort to ensure that your two placements complement each other in terms of location and provision. After returning to the University for one week you will undertake a two-week enhancement experience at the end of the programme. The programme finishes in late June.
The programme aims to:
1. Equip trainees with the knowledge,skills and understanding necessary for them to become effective secondary teachers;
2. Provide trainees with experience they need to achieve all the standards for the award of Qualified Teacher Status;
3. Encourage trainees to become reflective practitioners able to analyse, evaluate and act to improve their own practice and develop further professional knowledge and skills;
4. Develop understanding of the nature of teacher professionalism, the responsibilities of teachers and the professional values and practice that are expected of them and an awareness that a central characteristic is engagement in a life long process of professional learning and development;
5. Develop trainees' critical understanding of key concepts in educational theory in order to enable an informed analysis of teachers' practices;
6. Develop trainees' capacity to engage in research to inform and develop their practice.
Assessment
Your work is assessed by means of both written assignments, and on evidence of satisfactory school/college experience. Such evidence includes regular observations of your teaching and development of a portfolio containing teaching and learning materials. The written assignments which you will need to successfully complete are generic (independent study packs), subject specific, a research assignment and a reflective journal. In addition, in order to be recommended for QTS you must also pass TDA skills tests in numeracy, literacy and ICT.
Links to introductions to the main subjects:
Business Education (14 - 19)
Contact: carlo.raffo@manchester.ac.uk
Design and Technology (Materials Technology and Systems and Control)
Contact: david.spendlove@manchester.ac.uk
English
Contact: john.keen@manchester.ac.uk
Mathematics
Contact: geoff.wake@manchester.ac.uk
Modern Languages - French, German, Spanish
Contact: karen.roberts-2@manchester.ac.uk
Science (Biology, Chemistry and Physics)
Contact: graham.hardy@manchester.ac.uk