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About the Course

The SCITT programme is split into a mixture of school-based experience, lectures, group work, directed study and block placement school practices. This balance between academic study and practical school experience establishes firm foundations for trainees to develop their understanding of the pedagogies which underpin their teaching. The taught part of the programme will be delivered at our base within St James’ CE Primary School in Bermondsey, by a team of experienced tutors and outstanding classroom practitioners.

School-based training

Nearly 60% of the course is spent in school. This allows trainees to: be immersed in school life; develop an appreciation of national and local initiatives, and the ways in which they impact on the curriculum and children’s learning, and build effective working relationships with pupils and staff. Experience in school progresses from, observing and working alongside the class teacher, to taking full responsibility, initially for groups and later, for a whole class. Schools used for placements are in London, with the majority based north of the river.

Term 1: 2/3 days per week in consortium school or specialist setting

½ hour per day for 2/3 days per week reading with children

Observation week for 1^st Block Placement

Term 2: Block Placement- 8 weeks with the option to include 4 week special school placement

Term 3: Observation week for 2^nd Block Placement

Final 8 week Block Placement

All trainees will have experience in at least 2 different key stages and will be placed in contrasting school settings to ensure breadth of experience.

Centre-based training

Centre-based training is built around a series of Immersion Weeks which focus trainees on the development of their subject knowledge and professional skills.

Immersion Weeks include:

• Phonics and early reading development

• Writing across the curriculum

• Mathematics

• Science

• SMSC

• Creative teaching and learning

• Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS)

• Planning, Assessment and Behaviour management

• Special educational needs and disability (SEND)

The pattern of these weeks is as follows:

-2 days intense training to develop subject knowledge and pedagogy

-2 days in school to examine topic in practice, which will include guided -observations with experienced practitioners in the field

-1 day reflection, analysis and feedback presentations to consolidate learning

-Submission of written report on topic studied

Lectures

In addition to Immersion Weeks, all aspects of the Core and Foundation subjects, EYFS and Professional Studies are covered through lectures by experienced subject specialists and school practitioners. Trainees are expected to develop their subject knowledge and understanding through directed tasks in school and personal study.

Assessment

Teaching is assessed against Qualified Teacher Status (QTS) Standards, on two school placements. Observations and assessments are made by school-based mentors, link tutors and members of the SCITT team. Subject knowledge, pedagogy and a trainee’s development as a reflective practitioner are assessed through a combination of observations, written assignments and portfolios.

The course is validated by Roehampton and the University is an integral part of the SCITT’s quality assurance programme.