Our training course structure

Poole SCITT is a one-year full-time course, which runs from September through to July, leading to Qualified Teaching Status (QTS) awarded by Poole SCITT and a Postgraduate Certificate in Education (PGCE) awarded by Kingston University.

The lead school for the partnership is TEACH Poole, which has been accredited by the Department for Education to deliver initial teacher training.

Our training programme is based in Poole but offers placements in schools within the Poole, Bournemouth, Christchurch and Dorset area.

Trainees will undertake assessed training in both Key Stage 1 (years 1 & 2) and Key Stage 2 (years 3,4,5 and 6) and substantial school experience will be provided in both. Trainees undertake one placement in Key Stage 1 and one in Key Stage 2 during the course. Each placement consists of approximately 13 weeks. Additionally, there will be 20 days of intensive training and practice (ITaP) around pivotal areas of teaching and opportunities to gain short tasters within early years, special and secondary education.

Thanks to the small cohort size, the course is structured around the emerging needs of our trainees and our schools. It is carefully designed to develop the skills, knowledge and confidence of our trainees so they are fully prepared for a career in teaching.

Professional studies

Trainees attend professional studies training sessions that teach the Initial teacher training and early career framework (ITTECF), learning theories and subject knowledge of the Primary National Curriculum.  Within these sessions, trainees can expect to observe expert practice, review current educational research and literature and work alongside other trainees to develop their knowledge of teaching and learning.  Sessions are delivered by a range of expert specialists including specialist school staff and tutors, Headteachers, Lead Mentors and Consultants.

School Placements

Throughout the year, trainees complete two school placements in schools within the partnership, where they will be fully immersed in the culture and life of the school.  At each school, trainees will be assigned a class teacher, an experienced school mentor and a Lead mentor who will support them in planning, delivering and reflecting on lessons and putting theory into practice. School and Lead mentors attend regular training.

Across the course and the two placements, teaching builds gradually, starting with observations of colleagues, moving on to teaching small groups and part of lessons before teaching whole lessons, leading to taking responsibility for the full teaching timetable of the class.  This allows trainees to build their confidence, develop relationships with children and refine their teaching practice.

Partnership with Kingston University        

Poole SCITT partners with Kingston University to offer a PGCE alongside our own Qualified Teacher Status (QTS) programme. The Kingston University team develop robust materials for the two Level 7 modules of our programme (which provide trainees with 60 credits towards a masters) and we collaborate with them to review module content, trainee outcomes and the impact of current research. Academic sessions are delivered by the SCITT team at the Poole SCITT centre and are embedded into our SCITT programme. Trainees are not required to visit the Kingston campus but do have access to the study facilities on campus and online facilities e.g. library. The SCITT team work closely with the University to mark and moderate all academic work related to these modules.

Dedicated administrative support is provided by the University to facilitate trainee enrolment, access to Kingston's Virtual Learning Environment and academic submissions. An assigned SCITT liaison officer facilitates the Kingston University and SCITT partnership.

Assessment

Throughout the year, trainees complete two Kingston University assignments which are designed to demonstrate understanding of different aspects of teaching and learning.

Alongside this, trainees compile a portfolio of evidence from school placements which demonstrates knowledge and understanding of the competencies outlined in the Initial teacher training and early career framework (ITTECF).

The award

On successful completion of the course, trainees are awarded Qualified Teacher Status (QTS) by Poole SCITT and a Post Graduate Certificate in Education (PGCE) by Kingston University.

Course hours

Hours on the training sessions will generally be 9am and 4pm. On school placements, trainees will mostly shadow the working hours of their class teachers.