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