Initial Teacher Education Policy (ITE)

Introduction

The school has a long history of working with partner Higher Education Institutions (HEIs) and providing initial teacher education.  Our recognition as a Training School is a testament to that tradition and the quality of work undertaken.

The school’s primary aim is “….to provide high quality teaching and learning in a caring environment to develop the potential of all our students” and we believe initial teacher training contributes directly to that aim.

Aims and Purposes

We aim to provide high quality initial teacher education across all curriculum areas.  In doing so we believe initial training will have a significant impact on:

• Improvements in teaching and learning.
• Professional development for teachers, particularly those mentors working with initial trainees.
• The learning of students.
• Our obligations and commitment as a Training School.
• The development of our work as a Specialist Language and Sports College.
• Developing our role as an Investor in People organisation.
• The development and support given to newly qualified teachers.
• The recruitment of high quality, well qualified specialist teachers.

Partnerships

In developing and improving our role in initial teacher training we will work closely in partnership with the following HEI providers:

• Cambridge University
• University of Bedfordshire 
• Cambridge Partnership GTP 
• CILT

We will also willingly work with other HEIs who can offer trainees in subjects not offered by the above universities.

Other partners will include:

• The Training Development Agency (TDA).  We are registered with their Open School programme.
• Other secondary schools in Peterborough.
• Local primary schools.

The Initial Teacher Training Programme

Programmes for trainees will vary according to their training route and HEI provider.  All trainees will receive appropriate induction to the school and, where possible, all will undertake the professional studies programme.

Resources

To establish a quality initial teacher training programme, resources will be provided to create the infrastructure, time, training and materials required to deliver the programme.  Funding will be identified from the following sources:

• The Training School budget.
• Funds received from HEIs depending upon the number of trainees received.
• The Training Development Agency as part of our work through the Open Schools Programme.

Management and Support

The Assistant Headteacher has a responsibility for the strategic development and planning of Initial Teacher Education through our work as a Training School.  The Assistant Headteacher will liaise with HEIs, mentors and trainees to co-ordinate the annual programmes for trainees.  An administrative assistant is available to provide all work associated with initial teacher training.

Staff Development and Training

We see initial teacher training as part of the continuation of professional development of teachers.  A focus on the standards for Qualified Teacher Status enhances our work with newly qualified teachers and beyond.

Our Advanced Skills Teachers who are also experienced mentors will have a significant role in the training and development of mentors.

All mentors will undergo training, some of which will be provided at HEIs including the Level 1 and 2 Certificate of Subject Mentoring through Cambridge University.

A regular pattern of mentor meetings will be provided each year to share best practice.

Specialist staff have the opportunity to contribute to the ITT programme through leading sessions for the Peterborough GTP programme and as visiting lecturers to Cambridge University.

Planning, Monitoring, Evaluation and Review

An annual Training School single plan will be produced detailing developments, including those submitted to the TDA

Each strand of initial teacher training will be evaluated using feedback from trainees, mentors and HEIs.

An annual report will be made to the Senior Management Team and the Governors’ Staff and Students Committee.