Mickle Trafford Alliance Biology (2GKH)

PGCE with QTS full time

• Accredited body: University of Chester
• Financial support: Bursaries and student finance are available if you’re eligible
• Qualification:
  PGCE with QTS

  A postgraduate certificate in education (PGCE) with qualified teacher status (QTS) will allow you to teach in state schools in England and may allow you to teach in other parts of the UK.

  It may also allow you to teach overseas, though you should always check what qualifications are needed in the country you’d like to teach in.

  Many PGCE courses include credits that count toward a Master’s degree.

• Course length: 1 year
• Date you can apply from: 13 October 2020
• Date course starts: September 2021
• Website: http://www.mickletraffordvillageschool.co.uk/

Contents

About the course

Training to be a teacher with Mickle Trafford Village School Alliance of schools allows Associate Teachers (ATs) to gain a realistic understanding of the challenges and rewards of teaching by becoming an integral part of the school staff. From the start, when in school, ATs will be expected to work with students from all year groups, attend department and staff meetings, meet parents, and generally become immersed in school life. Time will also be spent away from the classroom developing professional skills and completing assessments for P.G.C.E. (delivered and assessed by The University of Chester). This approach has proved successful and developed a new generation of teachers who feel optimistic and confident about starting their teaching career. Associate teachers will spend the majority of their training at The Bishops’ High School in Chester and a 30 day contrast placement at a partner schools close by. All our ATs work with an experienced and supportive Subject Mentor to ensure that ATs set high standards for themselves and the pupils they teach.
In addition to time in the classroom, days are spent with ATs from local alliances developing and enhancing professional skills. These sessions include improving Associate Teacher’s subject knowledge across the curriculum, the use of different behaviour management strategies, understanding the needs of children with SEND and learning how to use technology to enhance learning. Associate Teachers are encouraged, where possible, to participate in residential trips alongside the children. They will gain an understanding the planning process, the need for risk assessment, prepare information for parents and ensure medical or SEND needs are catered for - the sort of real life school experiences that enable ATs to feel confident as they enter their NQT year. In collaboration with Mickle Trafford Village Primary School, enrichment days help develop an understanding of the challenges facing transition between primary and high school. ATs from primary and secondary work together to create adapted tasks to be delivered in Y5, Y6 and Y7. The aim of the 3 day programme is to inspire pupils of different ages and encourage them to develop empathy and think sensitively about the lives of others. We recognise this training programme is intense and challenging and endeavour to provide support throughout the year, including with making applications for teaching posts and suggestions for making positive impressions at interview later in the year. This programme may need adaptation to meet COVID-19 restrictions.

School placements

Associate Teachers will spend the majority of their training at The Bishops’ High School and a 30 day contrast placement at a nearby secondary school. During the training year, ATs will have experience of working with students from Key Stage 3, 4 and 5 and will also shadow the work of our pastoral team to prepare them for the role of the Form tutor.

This may be amended due to COVID-19 restrictions.

Interview process

Candidates will be interviewed at The Bishops’ High School in Chester.

The process, which lasts half a day, will include observation of a lesson followed by a formal interview which provides candidates to reflect on the lesson they have observed and make connections to their own experience of working with young people.

This process may be amended due to COVID-19 restrictions.

Fees

The course fees for 2021 to 2022 are as follows:

UK students	£9,250
International students	£9,250

Please note the above Fees are a guide only. Fees are set by University of Chester - please check on the university website.

Financial support

You’ll get a bursary of £7,000 if you have a degree of 2:2 or above in any subject.

You don’t have to apply for a bursary - if you’re eligible, you’ll automatically start receiving it once you begin your course. Find out about eligibility and how you’ll be paid.

You may be eligible for a loan while you study – note that you’ll have to apply for undergraduate student finance.

Find out about financial support if you’re from outside the UK.

Financial support from the training provider

Please check DFE and University of Chester websites for details on loans and bursaries. Mickle Trafford Village School Alliance have no financial incentives for this course.

Requirements

Qualifications

Applicants will normally: hold or be expected to gain a minimum 2:1 honours degree ( although lower grades will be considered if candidates have suitable experience in schools or related professions)

GCSE grade C/grade 4 or above in English Language and Mathematics.

All successful candidates who receive an offer of a place for this course will be required to undergo checks with regards to their suitability to practice. This will include completion of Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) there will be a charge for this.

Personal qualities

This is a challenging course - resilience, good time management and energy will be needed to complete the year. Candidates are reminded that school hours are no only the ones when the children are present and Associate Teachers will be expected to be in school before and after the children are present.

Other requirements

Ideally, candidates are expected to be able to evidence at least two weeks spent working in schools in the secondary age phase or definite placements organised and confirmed prior to starting the course. However, due to COVID-19 restrictions this may not be possible and candidates without two weeks experience in school will be considered.

About the training provider

Mickle Trafford Village School Alliance has a long established and successful School Direct programme and we are looking to recruit our 8th cohort of Associate Teachers. In partnership with The Bishops’ Blue Coat Church of England High School, Chester, we offer training in both primary and secondary settings - please see the secondary subject offer available on UCAS. Our school-based teacher training programme provides the perfect platform from which to embark on a successful and rewarding career in teaching. Our aim is to ensure you are well equipped to start your career armed with the appropriate knowledge, skills and confidence to enable you to inspire the next generation. This is a tall order, you can expect to be based in a school from the start, gaining an understanding of the practicalities of school life and have an impact on children’s learning straight away. You’ll spend the majority of the academic year with your students supporting and motivating them to make progress, as well as spending time reflecting on your own development and practice. The programme provides the perfect balance of theory (in conjunction with University of Chester) and school based learning, which is why employment rates are high. Almost all our Associate Trainees gain employment in local schools or are supported to gain employment in other locations nationally and internationally.

Training with disabilities and other needs

Mickle Trafford Village School Alliance welcomes applications from those who identify as having a disability. Please state on your application form any additional needs you may have and also additional support you require in place for interview.

Contact details

• Email: karen.burnett@mickletrafford.cheshire.sch.uk
• Telephone: 01244 981 321
• Website: http://www.mickletraffordvillageschool.co.uk/
• Address: School Lane; Mickle Trafford; Cheshire; CH2 4EF

Apply

Choose a training location

You’ll also need to choose a training location – select the relevant location name on the application form.

Location	Vacancies	Code
Main Site School Lane, Mickle Trafford, Cheshire, CH2 4EF	Yes	-

Support and advice

For questions about this course you should contact the training provider using the contact details above.

Get support and advice about teaching

Register with Get Into Teaching, the Department for Education’s free support and advice service, for personalised guidance from teaching experts. They can help you to prepare your application, book school experience, and access exclusive teaching events. You can also call them free of charge on 0800 389 2500, or speak to an adviser using their online chat service, from 8am to 8pm, Monday to Friday.

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