Graduate Teacher Programme (GTP)
Full-time 12 months
The Graduate Teacher Programme is a salaried employment-based route into teaching leading to the award of Qualified Teacher Status (QTS). Its overall aim is to help trainees acquire the skills and knowledge to become an effective teacher and qualify them to teach at Primary or Secondary School level.
Throughout the Graduate Teacher Training Programme trainees are encouraged to take responsibilty for their own learning and to reflect on their own development as they progress towards QTS. The Graduate Teacher Programme will provide:
- school-based training and practical experience;
- centre-based study of both the theory and practice of teaching specialist subjects at Secondary level or the full curriculum at primary level along with other whole-school aspects;
- individual guidance and support provided by school-based trainers, and by the University.
- an individualised training programme in the form of a Professional Learning Plan (PLP)
By combining the two aspects of principle and practice, with guidance and support from the School, and University, trainees are provided with a coherent approach to achieving the standards necessary to becoming a teacher.
There are two routes in the GTP:
- Primary: train to teach the full curriculum across two consecutive age-ranges from 3-5 years; 5-7 years; 7-9 years; 9-11 years.
- Secondary: train to teach a subject specialism across two consecutive key stages.
School Experience
Trainees on the GTP are based mainly in one school, but will undertake a short teaching experience in a contrasting setting. Many of the GTP placement schools belong to the longstanding ITT partnership between the University and schools in the region, so that mutual expectations and obligations are understood to the benefit of all trainees.
During the year there is the opportunity to work in at least two different age ranges to ensure the broadcast possible experience. School based work includes observing children and teachers and focused tutorials. Trainees work alongside experienced teachers and gradually assume more responsibilty for teaching until they take responsibility for the whole class. During this work, support is provided by experienced school-based trainers and by University tutors.
On the primary programme trainees are prepared to teach across two age-ranges in all areas of the school curriculum. At secondary level, trainees concentrate on one main teaching subject.
Central Training
The Graduate Teacher Programme draws on the experience and expertise of Initial Teacher Training (ITT) specialists who contribute to central training at the University. Trainees will have unrestricted access to library, IT and other University facilities.
Assessment and qualification
Practical Teaching is assessed on the basis of work during school experience, linked to the Standards for QTS. Trainees must also pass the externally-set TDA Literacy, Numeracy and ICT tests.