Island Life Magazine Ltd December 2013/January 2014 | Page 106
EDUCATION
Teacher training
t: 01983 409157
Learning to teach
T
he Isle of Wight Secondary
SCITT (school-centred initial
teacher training) provides the
opportunity for Island-based
graduates to secure Qualified Teacher
Status (QTS) and proceed onto a
school teaching career.
The SCITT is an accredited provider
of initial teacher training (ITT),
meaning that recommendation
for QTS can be awarded by the
institution. Additionally, participants
can secure a postgraduate certificate
of Education (PGCE) and credits
towards a Masters through the
University of Sussex.
The training provision has been
inspected twice by Ofsted, under the
Initial Teacher Education framework,
and on both occasions has secured a
grade two or ‘good’. The most recent
inspection, in May 2013, identified
as key strengths ‘the preparation of
trainees to meet the needs of schools
in challenging circumstances on the
Isle of Wight’ and ‘the high quality
central training offered to secondary
trainees’. Our vision for excellence
is to secure high-quality teachers for
Island schools.
106
www.visitislandlife.com
Teacher training programmes are
available in the following secondary
subjects: English, mathematics,
chemistry, geology, modern
languages, performing arts (dance,
drama and music). In addition, with
a number of partnership schools,
we offer the government-led School
Direct programme.
As the only accredited provider
based on the Island, we provide
advice on routes into teaching
and can facilitate classroom
experience for candidates. For those
trainees relocating to the Isle of
Wight, we assist them in finding
accommodation and foster a
community of developing teachers.
Each teacher is provided with a
SCITT tutor who has, in collaboration
with the school, responsibility for
their overall development.
Due to the small size of the
provision, this support is highly
individualised and responsive to
the needs of the trainee. In addition
to weekly personal contact with the
SCITT tutor, the trainee develops
an e-portfolio to which their tutor
provides commentary.
e: [email protected]
Katie:
Performing arts teacher profile –
undecided
“Having left university, I found myself
a job in the
about my career choices. I fell into
n. I worked
retail sector for a fashion store chai
s sales
my way up, from a temporary Christma
t Manager ’
position to ‘Training and Developmen
years.
for the southern region, within a few
t, I found
“Although the salary was excellen
ed to the
the job unrewarding. When I mov
for
Isle of Wight, I secured a job working
on
y
an educational and training compan
g
the Island that specialised in deliverin
to students
'accelerated learning' workshops
and teachers in schools.
“I loved the buzz of working with the
‘one-off’
students but wanted to do more than
the teacher
interventions. Deciding to apply for
the best
training course in drama was one of
challenging,
decisions I have ever made: it was a
every minute.
vibrant and hectic year and I loved
supported
“The tutor team and my lead school
sincere
me every step of the way showing a
ee
concern for my development as a train
excellent
teacher. They provided me with an
essional
mentor who was dedicated to my prof
ions lead
development and weekly training sess
ession.
prof
by a whole range of experts from the
learn
to
I felt extremely privileged to be able
a good
me
beco
to
how
ut
abo
best
from the
much; I
teacher. I enjoyed my lead school so
so happy
really did not want to leave and I am
recently
to be working here six years on! I have
ing arts.”
been promoted to head of perform