Odyssey Teaching School Alliance Art and Design (2H54)

QTS full time

Accredited body
Gloucestershire Initial Teacher Education Partnership (GITEP)
Financial support
Student finance if you’re eligible
Qualification
QTS

Qualified teacher status (QTS) allows you to teach in state schools in England and may also allow you to teach in other parts of the UK.

It may also allow you to teach in the EU and EEA, though this could change after 2020.

If you’re planning to teach overseas, you should always check what qualifications are needed in the country you’d like to teach in.

Course length
1 year
Date you can apply from
13 October 2020
Date course starts
September 2021
Website
http://www.odysseyts.org

Contents

About the course

Trainees start the year with three weeks of professional studies, a programme of lectures, workshops and expert speakers, to give a context to the course. By the end of September trainees start their “Parent 1” placement and will be in school full time until mid-December. There are another two weeks of professional studies either side of Christmas. In January trainees start their “Twin” placement in a second school. There are more professional studies weeks before Easter then trainees return to their first school for their “Parent 2” placement. The final placement includes an enhancement week to give opportunities to experience particular aspects of teaching.

There are also weekly subject seminars, every Thursday, with trainees meeting with their Subject Leader and other trainees from their subject. On a Wednesday afternoon, trainees attend ‘Professional Studies Sessions’ with all the other Odyssey trainees, adding a unique and beneficial cross phase element.

Alongside school-based training, trainees complete three assignments, supported by school based training managers and subject leaders.

School placements

All trainees will undertake placements in 2 schools. We will be working with 3 partner schools and GITEP in 2019/2020:

Pate’s Grammar School Sir Thomas Rich’s Grammar School Tewkesbury School GITEP

Placements are arranged in discussion with trainees, depending on grammar/comprehensive preference, home location etc. We cannot guarantee any particular school placement, however we are always keen to work with trainees to find the right school for them. All trainees must undertake at least one placement in a comprehensive school - it isn’t possible to qualify as a teacher in the UK by completing 2 grammar school placements.

Entry requirements

Qualifications needed

Mandatory

  • An Art degree (or equivalent) or, in some circumstances, a related subject with other Art & Design background.
  • Maths and English at Grade C/Level 4 or above at GCSE.

Recommended

  • Degree at 2:2 or above.
  • Involvement with young people, e.g., coaching, youth club.
  • Recent connections with Secondary education.
  • An awareness of issues in Art & Design education.

Personal qualities

We recognise that outstanding teachers come from many different backgrounds and have a range of prior experiences. We welcome applications from trainees from all walks of life and recognise the different qualities and skills that they can potentially bring to the profession. Passion, resilience and a willingness to reflect and learn as a professional are however key.

Other requirements

All trainees will be subject to an enhanced DBS check prior to the start of the course. Trainees with less prior experience in school may also be required to undertake a short period of work experience. Subject Knowledge Enhancement may be offered if appropriate.

Fees and financial support

The course fees for UK students in 2021 to 2022 are £8,250.

Financial support from the training provider

GITEP Trainee Teacher Fund

The directors of Gloucestershire Association of Secondary Headteachers have established a fund to help trainee teachers who are experiencing financial difficulties. Any awards made do not have to be repaid. The fund is limited and discretionary and we cannot guarantee that an award will be made. Applications can be made at any point in the programme.

About the training provider

Why chose to train with Odyssey?

  • An opportunity to train in an Alliance led by Pate’s Grammar School - a school rated Outstanding by Ofsted in every category and previously awarded the title Sunday Times School of the Year. Our exam results consistently place us in the top 10 state schools nationally.

    • Our professional studies programme offers a unique opportunity to work cross phase to gain an understanding of the full learning journey from 3 - 19.
    • We have an excellent employment track record.
    • At secondary level, an opportunity to train in both the grammar and comprehensive sectors, with four schools who proudly work collaboratively to develop and train staff to the highest standards and an opportunity to work with most able and academic students all the way through from 11 – 18. You will have fantastic opportunities to get involved with wider school life; Pate’s, All Saints’ Academy, Sir Thomas Rich’s and Tewkesbury all have vibrant and thriving extra-curricular programmes. You will receive a GITEP PGCE awarded by the University of Bristol.
    • At primary level, a unique opportunity to train in an alliance of 7 strong Gloucestershire based primary schools, many rated as outstanding or good with outstanding features - all recognised for their exceptional staff development. You will receive all the benefits of the University of Gloucestershire Course (including the PGCE accreditation), however spending more time in school learning ‘on the job’.

About the accredited body

  • Training is recognised as outstanding by Ofsted. The 2015/16 Ofsted inspection commented on our “sustained commitment to outstanding teacher training” and “relentless pursuit of excellence”.

  • The GITEP PGCE is awarded by the University of Bristol.

  • Our track record. GITEP has been training teachers for over 20 years. Our trainees are so successful that our employment rates are consistently above national figures – almost 100% over the last three years. Many of the mentors, training managers and subject leaders are themselves former GITEP trainees. Their long history of involvement in teacher training makes our leadership team hugely experienced.

Interview process

All interviews are held in Alliance schools. Your interview will have 3 parts.

Part 1: General Interview

This will be a panel interview, made up of staff from partner schools and a representative from GITEP. We will look to explore with you your reasons for wanting to teach.

Part 2: Subject Knowledge Interview

This will be an interview with a subject specialist and will explore where your current subject knowledge strengths and weaknesses lie.

Part 3: Lesson

We will ask you to prepare (in advance) a short lesson to deliver to a group of students.

Training with disabilities and other needs

As an alliance we take great pride in knowing and supporting our trainees personally. Our trainees come from a variety of backgrounds and we are committed to enabling access to the profession for all. Please contact us if you would like to better understand how we may be able to support any access requirements that you have.

Contact this training provider

Email
info@odysseyts.org
Telephone
01242 538276
Website
http://www.odysseyts.org
Address
Pate's Grammar School
Princess Elizabeth Way
Cheltenham
Gloucestershire
GL51 0HG

Support and advice

For support and advice, you can speak to a Get Into Teaching adviser for free. They’re all experienced teachers who can help you to prepare your application, book school experience, and access exclusive teaching events.

You can also call Get Into Teaching free of charge on 0800 389 2500, or speak to an adviser using their online chat service Monday to Friday, 8.30am to 5pm (except public holidays).

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