Initial Teacher Training

You've got a degree. You've decided to teach. You've decided on secondary education. Great!

Here at PCS we support two development routes into teaching:

GTP (Graduate Training Programme). School based for the whole year. You attend monthly training sessions at your training institute. This avenue is much better if you want to get 'hands on' experience of what teaching's actually like on a day to day basis.

PGCE (Post Graduate Certificate in Education). College based, studying the dynamics/theories/practises of teaching and going into different schools to put these ideas into practise. A good way to see and experience a range of different schools.

Our commitment to supporting and proactively developing PGCE and GTP programmes means that over 90% of PCS subject areas have a trainee within their faculty. Of those, 99% of feedback says that the experience was both positive and valued.

If you would like further information on either of these Initial Teacher Training routes please contact:

Gavin Peevers
Head of Humanities (ITT coordinator)
email: gpeevers@phcs.org.uk

If you decide that the GTP route is for you take a look at the pathways offered by the University of Sussex and the University of Brighton.

"Peacehaven Community School is well respected by the PGCE team at Sussex University and has made a number of significant contributions to ITE over the years"

NQTs (Newly Qualified Teachers).

As part of the development process, each NQT is provided with an individual programme of monitoring, support and assessment. The programme that you and your induction tutor plan will cover:

• The strengths and development priorities identified by you and your initial teacher training (ITT) provider towards the end of your ITT programme as part of the career entry and development profile (CEDP) process;
• The induction standards, and;
• The demands of the specific post in which you are starting your career.

You must make your CEDP available to the Head Teacher and your induction tutor when you join the school. You and your induction tutor will use the profile as you discuss development priorities and set objectives for induction. You will already be familiar with setting objectives from your ITT programme, and know that they need to be challenging but realistic, with a precise focus.

More information, and discussion, on routes into teaching can be found on the TeachersTalk website.

Career Change?

You won’t know whether teaching is right for you until you actually try it. PCS is a member of the Training & Development Agency’s Open Schools Programme. The scheme offers potential teacher trainees three-day taster courses, including a one-day school placement, and is designed to help people considering a career in teaching decide whether to apply for initial teacher training.

The one day in school provides you with the chance to observe teachers and teaching support staff at work in classrooms with students and also some of the behind the scenes planning and preparing that is critical to the success of both students, staff and school.

"Teaching, despite the workload, is a fantastic job because it involves enormous creativity. It is immensely fulfilling. .. It is not a 9-5 job, it’s something that’s a genuine vocation, and it’s not about counting the hours."

Interested? For more information or to arrange a day visit to the school, please contact the Open Schools Programme.