Course Information

The SCITT programme runs from mid-September to early July (38 weeks). There are two complementary and interlocking parts to the programme, namely, training based in school and taught group sessions.

After a two-week induction programme of taught sessions, trainees are placed in one school for the first half of the programme and a second school for the remainder of the programme. One placement is in the Foundation Stage and the other in Key Stage 1. Trainees are in school every week for varying amounts of time, ranging from one day to blocks of two, four and six weeks. More than half the course takes place in school.

In school, trainees are supported by a trained mentor who ensures that they have the opportunity to gain full experience, advises on classroom practice and provides weekly feedback. The mentor is supported by a link tutor who visits regularly to monitor progress closely and to provide support. Thus trainees develop competence and expertise in school through guidance and feedback from their mentor, class teacher and link tutor.

The taught sessions are mainly held at the St Mary Magdalene Academy London N7 8PG, the administrative centre of the SCITT where there are  good teaching facilities.  It is a few minutes walk from Highbury & Islington station (Victoria Line and Silver Link trains) and local bus routes.

The taught sessions cover all National Curriculum subjects and areas of learning. These are provided by a specialist team of consultants. There is a particular focus on training to teach literacy, numeracy and science, and also on how to use ICT to increase the effectiveness of teaching. Trainees also learn to support spiritual, moral, social and cultural (SMSC) development in pupils.

By the end of the programme, trainees are able to demonstrate that they meet the requirements of the Training and Development Agency for Schools (TDA). These include passing the QTS Skills Tests in Literacy, numeracy and ICT. Help and support for these tests is provided as part of the programme.

Assessment
All the assessment is based on classroom understanding and practice. There is regular feedback during the course from the mentor and link tutor and a final assessment at the end of the programme.

There are also five written assignments to be completed during the course which are based on activities in the classroom; for example, analysing the progress of two children in a particular aspect of reading.
Students collect evidence to support achievement of the required standards in their e-portfolio to  illustrate  progress made during the course.