School Direct INITIAL TEACHER TRAINING PROGRAMME

ST. JOHN FISHER CATHOLIC SCHOOL VALLEY

Quality TRAINING PARTNERSHIP KMT Teacher Training JOURNEY INTO TEACHING

For more information please contact:

Tel: 01634 844809 Andy Plank: 01634 408425 Website: www.mvtp.org e-mail: [email protected]

MEDWAY VALLEY TRAINING PARTNERSHIP JOURNEY INTO TEACHING

WELCOME TO The Medway Valley Teaching Partnership

The Medway Valley Teaching Partnership (MVTP) comprises schools and academies from Primary to Secondary level from the Medway Towns to Maidstone in , linked by the pretty Medway Valley railway branch line which runs from Strood station through to Maidstone West and beyond. MVTP is run and maintained by practising teachers. This means that we are able to give guidance and help from current school perspectives.

We firmly believe that the School Direct pathway into teaching has many advantages over the traditional initial teacher training routes, not least of which is the opportunity to experience school life at your preferred school right from the beginning of the academic year through to completion of your course and hopefully beyond. At MVTP we are dedicated to providing a training experience that equips trainees with the skills necessary to meet the challenges for a successful career in the teaching profession, whether you stay within the primary, secondary selective education system or non-selective sectors. For most subjects at secondary level, we are able to enhance your and 4 training with opportunities for experience of Key Stage 5 teaching.

The teacher training courses are run jointly with our initial teacher education (ITE) partner; Kent and Medway Training. KMT have been training teachers since 1998 and enjoy an excellent reputation for the quality of their training provision. With MVTP you have the choice of studying to Qualified Teacher Status (QTS) or top up to the full Post Graduate Certificate in Education (PGCE) which is validated by the University of Leeds Beckett. We strive to ensure that trainees have the relevant quality exposure to both the practical and theoretical elements of the course. To this end, training is delivered by practising teachers and professionals equipped with the latest skills and knowledge of delivering an ever- evolving curriculum involving the latest research into teaching methodology and pedagogy. We are extremely proud of both the standard of our initial teacher training (ITT) programme and of the array of opportunities afforded to our trainees. We pride ourselves in the support given to our students, not just in their training year but also as newly qualified teachers. We are also proud of our success rate with 98% of MVTP's teacher graduates in 2019 now being employed in their first school; many in the home school in which they trained.

Please do not hesitate to contact us with any questions concerning our courses or training with us so that we can welcome you soon on Medway Valley Training Partnership's own "journey into teaching."

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Contents.

Welcome Page 1

Background Information (Our Partner Primary Schools) Page 3

Background Information (Our Partner Secondary Schools) Page 7

The Two School Direct Routes Page 15

Initial Teacher Training Course Comparison Page 17

The Application Process Page 19

Guidance for completing the UCAS application form Page 20

School Direct MVTP Primary Training Courses with UCAS codes Page 23

School Direct MVTP Secondary Training Courses with UCAS codes Page 24

Bursaries and Scholarships Page 26

Useful Websites Page 27

Contact Details Page 28

2 BACKGROUND INFORMATION (Our Partner Schools - Primary) Allington and Barming Primary Schools

Allington and Barming schools are part of the Orchard Academies Trust. At both schools we are incredibly proud of our staff, our children and our combined successes which are underpinned by our ’s values and beliefs. We are proud to be two schools where children love to learn and play The staff and governors of the schools aim to provide the children with an education that is broadly based and tailored to meet the children’s individual needs. We provide a caring and happy, positive atmosphere in which children may fulfil their potential and grow in self-confidence and respect for the people and environment around them.

We support trainee teachers through the partnership between an experience mentor and the trainee that allows for the effective development of you individual teaching style Balfour Junior Academy

Balfour is a popular and oversubscribed Junior School who are looking forward to becoming active members of the Fort Pitt /Thomas Aveling Academy Trust. Judged to be solidly good in the recent OFSTED inspection, our seventeen classes study a creative and varied curriculum with gold awards for sport and physical education. We are, in the main, a young staff and can offer a varied training experience as we have a very mixed catchment, are passionate about inclusion and parity of access and committed to ensuring each child has the opportunity to achieve their dreams. Many of our teachers are trained mentors and coaches and we would provide the highest levels of support and encouragement to those wishing to train with us.

There will be opportunities to help with after school clubs, trips and residential and you will be welcomed to play an active and enthusiastic part in the day to day life of our school. We seek to provide a stimulating learning environment that encourages our trainees to access the range of skills and knowledge that will prepare them for a long and successful career in teaching.

We are looking for trainee teachers that are passionate about education, who love children, are resolute and dedicated to providing a learning environment that enables all children to reach their potential. We host a number of taster days throughout the year where you will be welcome to visit the school and spend the day observing classroom practitioners, meeting our children and gaining a real feel of what it would be like to train to teach at Balfour.

3 West Borough West Borough Primary School is a Good school with Outstanding features (Ofsted June 2107). We have 16 classes including a maintained nursery.

A set of Core Values underpin all that we do which ensure high expectations of both learning and behaviour. Our inclusive school is based on a large, well-resourced site just outside Maidstone town centre. Our excellent facilities include refurbished classrooms, library, extensive outdoor learning areas and an ASC Satellite. Our school also has a Children’s Centre within the grounds.

Trainee teachers at West Borough can expect a supportive environment that will enable the trainee to progressively work towards qualifying as an outstanding teacher. You will be assigned your own personal mentor to advise and coach you throughout your placement and with our partners at Kent and Medway Training (KMT), you will, with other KMT primary trainees, follow a dedicated programme of lectures and subjects studies enabling you to work alongside experienced primary teachers from other schools.

Our happy and caring ethos is full of well-motivated children, supported by a hardworking and fully committed team of staff and governors

Palace Wood Primary School

Palace Wood Primary School is an exciting place to be. Having been on a long journey, we are delighted to now be a good school in our inspection in July 2017. We are a popular two-form entry primary school situated in a pleasant residential area on the western outskirts of Maidstone. Our children are motivated happy learners, they enjoy school and behave well. We are lucky to have supportive parents and governors and a staff who are very friendly and caring.

We are well known for our sporting achievements and we pride ourselves in being innovative and creative in carrying out our shared vision. We have a commitment to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children.

Our school and staff will provide you with a fantastic place to begin your life as a teacher. Many of our staff have acted as coaches and mentors for trainees and NQTs and will ensure that you get the best possible support. They will guide you and push you into being the teacher that you want to be, whilst helping you to understand the day-to-day goings-on in a school.

The children at Palace Wood want a teacher who challenges them with motivating lessons, who is cheerful, caring and energetic! The grown-ups are looking for a skilled, enthusiastic, team player who understands what good learning is. If you think that this could be you, then we would love to meet you and help you work towards a career in the most rewarding profession there is.

4 Phoenix Junior Academy

The Phoenix Junior Academy is committed to providing an exciting education for all pupils. We aim for children to achieve the best and be the best they can. We offer students a curriculum focused on the core subjects of English, Maths, ICT and Science but alongside these are opportunities for study in the Humanities, Arts, Technology and PE.

We are a supportive school who will guide the trainee teacher to develop their style in delivering good and outstanding lessons. Under expert tutelage, you will observe, co-teach and then solo teach using the most up to date and creative teaching methods. You will have the opportunity to work with children from different age groups as well as join in with a range of extra-curricular activities that will fully prepare you for life as a primary school teacher. One day a week you will meet with other primary trainee teachers at Kent and Medway’s training centre or at the MVTP hub school where your training programme will include workshops, lectures and tutorial support that enhances further your generic teaching skills.

Primary school days should be the most magical, fun filled days of a young person’s life. A time to make friends, to sing, dance, laugh, run, jump, play as well as learn. Come and learn how to make a real difference to the lives of our children. We look forward to receiving your school direct application in the near future.

Featherby Infant and Junior Schools

We want to develop children who are happy, resilient and confident to give things a go. Children who are getting memorable experiences, in fantastic schools and classrooms. We can help them achieve outstanding results to set them up for the next stage in their lives by training dynamic teachers at all levels who are passionate about education and love working together!

Featherby schools are an excellent example of this. It has been part of Maritime Academy Trust since 2017 and as with all our schools, offers every child a great education, strong behaviour to ensure children can progress their learning and a chance to be entrepreneurial too! All Maritime schools have been transformed through targeted collaboration, innovative ideas and an entrepreneurial curriculum which equips children with leadership and life skills.

If you choose to train to teach with Maritime, we can offer: • Opportunities to work alongside a dedicated and experienced teacher mentor • Coverage of all National Curriculum subjects including the core areas of English, Maths and Science, as well as the understanding of the teaching and learning process and to develop effective classroom practice • Opportunities to observe, co-teach and solo teach in a supportive environment, with engaged children and the freedom to deliver a creative and exciting curriculum • Opportunities to work with children from a range of year groups and abilities

5 • Additional support and experience within extra-curricular activities including: school trips, school clubs and big outcomes • Opportunities to meet and network with fellow student teachers through regular professional study sessions to support the development of reflective practice • Collaboration at all levels including allocated time spent with partner academies to further broaden experience and professional development.

6 BACKGROUND INFORMATION (Our Partner Schools - Secondary) Thomas Aveling

The Thomas Aveling School was formed in 1990 with the merger of two existing schools Warren Wood School for Boys and Warren Wood School for Girls. Since its inception, the school has grown from strength to strength. The school is consistently over-subscribed; with high quality teaching, excellent facilities and impeccable standards. Our emphasis is always on maintaining a positive attitude as we believe that a happy atmosphere has a marked impact on achievement. A new development for Thomas Aveling for 2018 is our brand new special needs area focusing on hearing impaired children and this year we have welcomed our first students to this unit.

For us, a truly successful education means being the very best that you can be and we are proud to say that our students make excellent progress, regardless of their starting point. Trainee teachers are an integral part of the Thomas Aveling success story and we regularly train over 25 aspiring teachers annually in a wide variety of subject areas and training pathways. Our main focus is through the school direct route. Recent studies have shown that the School Direct Teacher Training programme is the most practical and effective route into teaching and we are delighted to be a leading school offering this training scheme. However, we have strong links with teacher training courses from Canterbury Christchurch and Greenwich Universities and “Train to Teach”.

We see education as not being limited to just children but for students from all pathways and we are proud of our reputation as a high class teacher training institution. Many of our trainees become full time teachers at the school.

At Thomas Aveling, a trainee or “Associate Teacher” can expect a quality training experience. There are dedicated Professional Tutors for Initial Teacher Training that oversee the whole programme. Then there are Subject Specific mentors who are chosen for their skill, experience and a commitment to excellence. They undertake their own training which is updated on a yearly basis. Mentors are given dedicated time to meet with their trainee at least once a week and will guide and support you throughout your time with us. The focus will be in the trainee gaining confidence and in meeting the teaching standards required for a successful career as a high quality, qualified teacher.

I CANNOT PRAISE THE SUPPORT FROM MY MENTOR HIGHLY ENOUGH. THANK-YOU” – past trainee 2017.

We have a dedicated in-house teacher training programme. We give opportunities to work with specialist teachers including, for example our Special Needs Areas as well as gaining experience with a form group and other areas of a trainee’s interest. We often bring in other specialists to work with associate teachers from outside school. All of this is on top of the workshops, lectures and

7 subject studies programmes led by our training partner, Kent and Medway Training. Thomas Aveling has been designated as one of Kent and Medway Training’s (KMT) “hub” training centres and we welcome associate teachers to specific events from across the whole of Kent. Many of these sessions are led by teachers from our partner schools.

Our trainees contribute to the life of the school in many ways from taking part in some of the 50 extracurricular activities to participating in school trips. They work with students from all ages, (including 6th form), abilities and background which will equip them with skills, knowledge and experience to work in a variety of school environments anywhere in the country.

“I NEVER REALISED THAT I HAD COVERED SO MANY OF MY TEACHING STANDARDS AND FROM MY FIRST TEACHING PRACTICE AS WELL” – past trainee 2017

If you believe that you have what it takes to become an inspirational teacher, we will be pleased to hear from you.

“I LOVED MY TEACHING PRACTICE HERE. EVERYONE WAS SO FRIENDLY AND HELPFUL” – past trainee 2019

Robert Napier

The Robert Napier School is a member of the FPTA together with Fort Pitt and The Thomas Aveling School. We are a medium sized non-selective school based in Gillingham, Kent.

Under strong leadership, the school is pleased to be rated a ‘Good’ School in our recent Ofsted report, 2019. The school prides itself on being a happy school and striving for excellence in all we do. We have strong links with PGCE courses from Canterbury Christchurch and Greenwich Universities as well as having trainees following the “Researchers in Schools” programme.

The school has a very comprehensive training and induction programme and you can expect a high quality experience. You will be assigned a subject mentor that is experienced in supporting and nurturing trainees to become the best teachers they can be. It does not stop there though! Many of our trainees gain employment at the school and commence a 3 year ‘Teacher to Leader’ programme to develop them into the future leaders of the school, benefiting from a wide variety of professional development and leadership development opportunities. The school works closely with our partners, to deliver expert training in specific areas of the teaching standards and we also provide you with access to external training delivered by our local teaching School Alliances. All of this is on top of the workshops, lectures and subject studies programmes led by Kent and Medway Training.

Our trainees are encouraged to become actively involved in extra-curricular activities after school hours and usually benefit from trips outside of the school and occasionally on residential trips in the UK and aboard. Together with a great range of teaching and learning environments and the latest technology incorporated into our facilities our trainee teachers are provided with the best opportunities for their professional development towards qualified teacher status

8 ST. JOHN FISHER CATHOLIC SCHOOL St John Fisher Catholic School St John Fisher Catholic School is based in Chatham, Kent. It is an aspirational school that seeks to inspire every student. Our Catholic ethos underpins everything we do at St John Fisher, teaching in a holistic way to develop every student academically, spiritually, morally and respecting the geographical, religious and cultural backgrounds of our diverse community.

In order to inspire our students to strive to be the best they can be and equip them ready for when they leave us, we pride ourselves on having a comprehensive and extensive induction and training programme for all trainees. During your time at St John Fisher you will have a subject mentor, who will challenge and develop your teaching skills and a development mentor, who will have not long gone through the process themselves and will support you in your transition to teaching. We have numerous links with schools and school consortiums which will enable you to experience teaching in a number of different contexts

We work closely with many ITE providers including: Kent and Medway Training (SCITT), Teach First, the Catholic Teaching Alliance and Hibernian College UK (HCUK). St John Fisher has an excellent track record of employing all the trainees based in the school through into their NQT year. At the end of their NQT year a number of them were promoted into leadership roles.

St John Fisher has a proven track record of developing and challenging trainee teachers, because we are committed to the continual professional development that each trainee requires. We expect our trainees to be committed to the thought of making a difference to each of our students and want to inspire them. Over the next year, we are looking forward to new buildings and facilities that will give the very best, modern environment for our students to study in and we look forward to trainee teachers being a part of our journey into a new phase in St John Fisher’s development as a school. St John Fisher School will undoubtedly support and challenge you to become an outstanding teacher. Maplesden Noakes

Maplesden Noakes is an extremely successful school in the heart of the county town of Maidstone, Kent. We are recognised for having high academic expectations of all our students and for providing an inclusive, caring and supportive environment.

Learning is at the heart of everything we do whether for our students or trainee teachers and this combined with strong support from dedicated mentors enables our trainees to flourish and reach their potential. We offer a number of training places in a variety of subject areas and some of our staff regularly work with KMT in delivering professional and subject studies lectures.

Maplesden Noakes has a friendly and welcoming atmosphere and, alongside our partners at Medway Valley Training Partnership, encourage our trainees to participate in a range of activities that will successfully prepare them for a career in teaching

9 St Augustine Academy

St Augustine Academy is a growing based in Maidstone, Kent. We are committed to providing an education that ensures all students succeed and make the best of the opportunities and experiences available to them. Our core principles are based upon the educational, spiritual, moral, social and cultural development of our students. We believe that students engage fully and reach their maximum potential when the environment is both caring and orderly, combined with teaching that fires their imagination and brings learning to life.

Embedded in our curriculum are many opportunities for students to access the essential skills that have been identified by numerous employers as fundamental for successful employment. We place great emphasis upon leadership, teamwork, creative solutions and innovation. Our curriculum provides numerous opportunities for these and other relevant skills to be introduced, practised and mastered so that when our students go forward into the world of work they are fully prepared.

St Augustine Academy is a high performing school where every student is known, nurtured and valued. At St. Augustine Academy we strive to challenge and support all of our students in a balanced program to nurture their academic, artistic, athletic, and spiritual growth. The Academy believes that developing each individual’s intellect, character, and sense of self-worth encourages each to live a creative and compassionate life.

St Augustine Academy is committed to putting the students first by investing heavily in our own staff. We have a proven track record of “Growing Our Own Leaders” at every level, with many of our current staff starting their careers at St Augustine Academy and going on to hold positions of responsibility. The pledge we make to all our staff, teaching and non-teaching, is demonstrated first and foremost in Initial Teacher Training. At St Augustine Academy we are committed to teacher training and work with a group of schools and training providers ensuring training opportunities are vast and varied drawing on a wealth of experience to fully support the next generation of the teaching profession.

We provide a quality training experience with high quality mentors who are committed to their subject and to improving the quality of education for students, Professional Tutors which monitor the entire programme and a very supportive team of experienced teachers. All trainees receive allocated time to meet and discuss progress with their mentors enabling them to focus on improving their teaching and experiences for all students. Trainees will receive comprehensive training in a supportive environment alongside professional studies led by our training partner, Kent and Medway Training.

Opportunities to be fully involved in school life are numerous. Trainees will be involved in our enrichment programme which involves a broad range of activities such as chess, rock climbing, card making, weight lifting, horse riding and many others, as well as participating in school trips, visits and events. We also have a dedicated Autism Resource Centre and extensive special needs area providing intensive support to a range of students. This enables a very diverse set of experiences which if of immense benefit to trainees.

10 Oakwood Park Grammar School

We are an outstanding grammar school with boys in Years 7-11 and a mixed Sixth Form. Oakwood Park Grammar School is situated on the Oakwood Park campus in Maidstone, with easy access to transport routes. We are a forward thinking school and teachers are encouraged to take up Action Research projects to improve their practice. Our Continued Professional Development programme (CPD) is thorough and encourages inter-departmental collaboration whilst also valuing teacher autonomy. All trainee teachers access this as well as being invited to join our TALL sessions (Teachers as Lifelong Learners).

We provide training opportunities at Key Stage 3, 4 and 5. As well as the established curriculum subjects in Key Stage 3, we teach Thinking Skills and Learning to Learn. students have the opportunity to study a subject that particularly interests them for their Higher Project Qualification as part of our Extended Learning package. We also offer the Extended Project Qualification alongside a wide variety of subjects at A Level and Pre-U in Key Stage 5.

We have a good team of dedicated tutors and mentors who provide a supportive network for trainee teachers and NQTs, working with a variety of ITT providers. Trainee teachers and NQTs also have their own bespoke CPD sessions Fort Pitt Grammar School

Fort Pitt is a highly successful Girl’s Grammar School, situated at the top of Fort Pitt Hill in Chatham, Kent with commanding views of the River Medway. The school site has housed a fort, hence its name; it was a military hospital visited twice by Queen Victoria and it was the first Army Medical School established by Florence Nightingale in 1860. Prior to being a school it was a hospital and recuperation facility for servicemen in the two World Wars. The school’s site and buildings are an interesting mix of traditional and modern and in many ways that reflects the nature of our school; we are keen to preserve and celebrate our traditions whilst ensuring that we are very firmly focused on the future. Graded as Outstanding in our last Ofsted inspection, we work in conjunction with three local schools as part of the FTPA.

Our experienced and skilled team of tutors and mentors ensure that Fort Pitt provides a unique and fulfilling training experience for aspiring teachers. We are a Leading Edge School as well as a National Support School, and value our role in the professional development we share with educational establishments across the country, in addition to our own thriving programme of “Continued Professional Development”. Associate teachers will also be able to access this training alongside their own dedicated training programme. Although the focus will be firmly in learning how to teach to Key Stage 3 and 4 students, we are able to offer trainee teachers the opportunity, during their training year, to gain experience of A-level teaching. We have a large mixed 6th Form, delivering a wide range of subjects to students from schools within our trust, as well as those from consortium schools. Fort Pitt takes great pride in our sense of community, as well as the supportive atmosphere maintained for students and staff. We look forward to seeing you at Fort Pitt in the near future.

11 Walderslade Girls School

Walderslade Girls School is a medium sized, friendly and family oriented all-girls High School located in the Medway town of Chatham. We are a Specialist College for the Arts and place great emphasis on creative teaching to inspire our pupils’ learning across the curriculum.

Our aim is to train the teachers of the future to become able to provide the highest quality of teaching and learning, to ensure that lessons for all students are engaging, vibrant, and memorable. Trainees are encouraged to develop their individual strengths and talents and to become fully engaged in the life of the school beyond the classroom. Chatham Grammar School for Girls

CGSG is a selective 11 – 19 girls school that is part of the newly established University of Kent Academies Trust (UKAT). The new Trust has two UKAT Academies, Chatham Grammar School for Girls and . The opportunities through UKAT are plentiful and both schools will benefit from a range of key interventions provided by the lead sponsor, the University of Kent. These include: a shared sixth form provision, wider curriculum opportunities, excellent shared facilities, bespoke graduate and post graduate Student Ambassadors Mentoring Scheme and the unique UKAT Teacher Training programme.

At CGSG we offer our students a wide variety of stimulating and motivating opportunities to achieve outstanding academic outcomes, and develop high quality thinking, learning and communication skills and in so doing build a secure foundation for a positive and successful life. We recognise the enormous social and emotional pressures that are put on young women today, and our priority and commitment is to ensure that our students develop healthy inquisitive minds, and that academic success is achieved within a nurturing environment.

CGSG is a supportive, nurturing Academy, which fosters excellence and secures positive relationships between students and staff – our young people are happy, confident and resilient. Our goal is to ensure that our students go out into the world with the ability to deal confidently with all the experiences that come their way. CGSG students enter university and the professional work place full of passion, and with aspiration, self-belief and high self esteem of what they can achieve.

Across the Trust, we regularly train 10/15 trainees per year across a variety of providers and pride ourselves on the high quality mentoring, professional development and holistic support we offer to trainees. With Brompton Academy, we have an excellent track record of employing our trainees after their training year and a significant proportion of our teaching staff is made up of people who have trained with us in the past.

CGSG is an excellent option for anyone looking to train in a Grammar setting and because of its place within UKAT, the range of opportunities we can offer trainees is extensive. Please get in contact to find out more about training with us.

12 Brompton Academy

Brompton Academy is an innovative, energetic, forward thinking and oversubscribed learning community for 11 - 19 students. Brompton Academy is an independent state school whose Lead Sponsor is the University of Kent.

The Academy opened in September 2010 building on the outstanding success of the predecessor school New Brompton College, which was placed in the top twenty Medway and Kent’s schools for oversubscription. Brompton Academy is now part of the newly established University of Kent Academies Trust (UKAT). The new Trust has two UKAT Academies, Brompton Academy and Chatham Grammar School for Girls (CGSG). The opportunities through UKAT are plentiful and both schools benefit from a variety of bespoke programmes of support and interventions provided by the Lead Sponsor, the University of Kent. Overall, standards of achievement are good. The 2017 OFSTED resulted in the school attaining overall Good.

Individual students continually out-perform and meet their targets set by the government and local authority. The University of Kent is successfully driving the vision of the Academy to ensure that the young people and families of this area benefit from the educational and community opportunities afforded by the twenty one million pound government investment that has enabled us to build a brand new 21st century school. Such investment will ensure the Academy delivers outstanding standards and will accelerate our development as a fast paced, innovative and energetic organisation, with student attainment, achievement, wellbeing and happiness as our core and guiding principles.

Our specialist unit the Eliot Centre (Communications Centre) provides specialist teaching and support for up to 100 students identified as having specific learning needs in the areas of literacy and communication. This offers a unique opportunity for trainees to observe and team-teach in a nurturing environment linked to small group, specialist teaching and therapy. Lessons are taught in an environment that supports communication impairment in areas including Speech and Language Impairment (SLI), Autistic Spectrum Disorder (ASD) and Specific Learning Difficulties (Dyslexia). The Eliot Centre teaching team works closely with our in house Speech and Language Therapist and other outside agencies to provide intervention programmes tailored to the needs of our students both in class and in small group sessions.

As the most oversubscribed school in Medway, parents recognise that we have a great deal to offer their children and the same is true for our staff, please get in contact to find out more about joining us for your training year.

13 14 The Two School Direct Routes.

Medway Valley Training Partnership manages the application process of all school direct posts for Thomas Aveling, Robert Napier, Brompton and St Augustine Academies, Fort Pitt Girls, Chatham Grammar School for Girls and Oakwood Park Boys Grammars, Maplesden Noakes and St John Fisher Catholic Schools if you are looking at secondary teaching and for primary school places; Balfour and Phoenix Junior Academies, Allington, Barming, Danecourt, Featherby, Palace Wood and West Borough Primary schools.

There are two routes into training through the School Direct Scheme.

NON- SALARIED or SELF-FUNDED

There is a wide range of subject specialisms available for the NON- SALARIED candidates to apply. Unlike the salaried route you do NOT need to have been in employment for three years before application nor demonstrate significant experience within a school, although we would like candidates, before the course begins to have spent at least 10 days in a UK school environment. Please look at the School Experience Programme to help you with this.

This is the gentle way into teaching and will follow, closely, the typical university style PGCE course. We will gradually introduce you into solo teaching by first having the opportunities to gain basic skills through observational work and collaborative teaching. Where the school direct teacher training course differs from the traditional university approach is that you have the opportunity to apply to the school at which you wish to be trained. Upon successful interview undertaken jointly by the MVTP partner school and Kent and Medway Training, you will begin your course on the 1st September, giving a “whole year” experience of teaching with a much earlier and greater emphasis placed on “practical” teaching of your subject. The majority of your training will be concentrated at your home school with a seven-week experience at a contrasting school being sandwiched in the Spring term before the completion of your course back in your home school. Where possible, students successfully completing the course are likely to be offered a job at the home school.

Upon successful completion of the course, you will be awarded either Qualified Teacher Status (QTS) or, if you prefer, you can upgrade to a Post Graduate Certificate of Education (PGCE) for an additional fee.

The applicant to a non- salaried route will be able to apply for a student loan to cover course fees and maintenance. Additionally, there is a bursary available in most subject areas which you can apply for. Depending on your subject area and degree qualification, this could be as much as £28,000.

For more details of the Non-Salaried scheme with MVTP, please contact

Andy Plank [email protected]

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SALARIED

The SALARIED route is open to candidates who can show that they have been in employment for at least three years and can demonstrated significant relevant experience in a UK school environment. This could mean that they have worked as a teaching assistant or undertaken voluntary work in a school over a period of time. Other applicants can be considered for a salaried position but they would need to be able to demonstrate at interview that they are ready for the “salaried” pathway. This means that you will need to be able to demonstrate that you have the basic skills necessary to stand in front of a class, on your own, and teach a timetable from the start of your training period.

Your timetable, from your first day of training will already consist of solo teaching, sometimes as much as 60% of the teaching timetable. Added to this will be collaborative teaching, observing lessons and study time. The solo teaching commitment could increase as you gain more skills and knowledge throughout the year. One day per week will be spent at tutorials at one of Kent and Medway’s Training Centre local hub training centres. For the year that you are contracted, you will be employed by the school and paid a salary for the duration of your training. You will be a paid unqualified teacher at the school and can expect to undertake all aspects of a qualified teacher’s role. The pay will normally be no more than the national “Unqualified Teacher” rate although for some subjects, a significantly enhanced salary could be available. Your training school will also pay your course fees to KMT.

Upon successful completion of the course, you will be awarded Qualified Teacher Status (QTS), a qualification recognised throughout England and Wales. This can now be upgraded, for a fee, to the full Post Graduate Certificate in Education (PGCE) should you wish.

For more details of the Salaried scheme with MVTP please contact

Andy Plank [email protected]

All PGCE qualifications are validated by the University of Leeds Beckett.

16 INITIAL TEACHER TRAINING COURSE COMPARISON

School Direct School Direct University Initial Routes into (Salaried) (Self Funded) Teacher Training teaching at Medway Valley at Medway Valley Training Partnership Training Partnership Route

Qualified Teacher Status Post Graduate Certificate of Post Graduate Certificate Qualification (QTS) with option to upgrade Education (PGCE)/ QTS with of Education (PGCE) to PGCE PGCE upgrade option Qualification normally Qualification validated by the Qualification validated by the Validated by validated by home University of Brighton University of Brighton university

School Based Training with School Based Training with emphasis on practical emphasis on practical University Based teaching (minimum 35 weeks teaching (minimum 35 weeks Focus of Training with two practical in school) with academic in school) with academic training placements in contrasting studies provided school and studies provided school and schools totalling 25 weeks Kent and Medway Training. Kent and Medway Training. (KMT) (KMT)

Course begins 3rd Week Course begins 1st September Course begins 1st September Dates of course (earliest) in September at at MVTP school at MVPT your home university Beginning of the school Beginning of the school Often observational visits First experience academic year with academic year with in school no earlier than in a school opportunity to visit school in opportunity to visit school in 1st week in October previous term previous term

You will have opportunities First opportunity to You will have your own First teaching to collaboratively teach collaboratively and solo timetable of lessons from opportunities leading onto solo teaching teach from 3rd week in beginning of year from 2nd week September October

Application through UCAS to Application through UCAS to Application through UCAS Medway Valley Partnership, Medway Valley Partnership, How to apply to chosen university selecting your chosen selecting your chosen course training school/campus training school/campus

Through interview at chosen Through interview at chosen school with your potential school with your potential Through interview with Acceptance on mentor, the school mentor, the school University or College Course professional tutor and a professional tutor and a representatives representative for Kent and representative for Kent and Medway training Medway training

17 School Direct School Direct University Initial Routes into (Salaried) (Self Funded) Teacher Training teaching at Medway Valley at Medway Valley Training Partnership Training Partnership Route

Relevant academic qualifications as required Relevant academic Relevant academic by the Department of qualifications as qualifications as required Education. At least three required by the by the Department of years in paid employ Department of Education. 10 day UK Pre- course ment. Significant, relevant Education. 10 day school school experience before Requirements experience of working experience commencement of course. with young people in a UK before commencement Availability for induction school environment. of course. Availability for day training at Kent and Availability for induction induction day Medway Training day training at Kent and training at University Medway Training Limited places per Limited places per subject specialism at subject specialism at Multiple places Places specific schools with specific schools with dependent on subject available opportunities to meet and opportunities to meet and area quotas work with trainees from work with trainees from other schools other schools

Applicant has opportunity Applicant has opportunity Who chooses to apply to school(s) that to apply to school(s) that University chooses teaching they would like to train at. they would like to train at. placement for you placement? (early application (early application advisable) advisable)

Home School from Home School from 1st Sept - Feb 1st Sept - Feb Placement A from Time spent in Placement B at contrasting Placement B at contrasting Oct. - Christmas. placement school Feb - mid March. school Feb - March. Placement B from Home School mid March - Home School. Mid Feb - Mid June. end of course. (minimum) March - end of year. Where possible, to lead to Where possible, to lead to Trainee to, full time position at Home full time position at Home Job independently, looks for School or one of Kent & School or one of Kent & opportunities job opportunities as and Medway Training’s 82 Medway Training’s 82 when available partner schools partner schools School pays unqualified Trainee is responsible for Trainee is responsible teacher salary for paying course fees to Kent Funding for paying course fees to duration of the course and and Medway Training and University all course fees to KMT Leeds Beckett for PGCE Student Loan for course Student Loan for course Not Available although fees available plus fees available plus Loans and top up salary available for opportunity to apply for opportunity to apply for Bursaries certain subjects bursary of up to £26,000 bursary of up to £26,000 for some subjects for some subjects

18 The Application Process.

1. You need to ensure that you meet the application criteria. For School Direct at Secondary level these are

• A UK undergraduate degree or a recognised equivalent qualification. 2:2 or better. • A GCSE grade C or new level 4 or above in English and Mathematics or equivalency tests passed. • Additionally entrants to School Direct at Primary teaching will require a GCSE grade C or new level 4 or above in Science

Applicants with qualifications from overseas will need to demonstrate, via NARIC, their equivalency to the English degree and GCSEs listed above.

For more details visit: http://www.education.gov.uk/get-into-teaching/teacher-training-options/school- based-training/school-direct

2. You can search for available courses at the “FIND POSTGRADUATE TEACHER TRAINING” website https://www.gov.uk/guidance/find-postgraduate-teacher- training-courses-in-england

3. Register with UCAS www.ucas.com and then complete their on-line application form searching for your course at Medway Valley Teaching Partnership. Please then ensure that you have selected the correct UCAS and campus codes to ensure that your application is passed to the school of your choice.

4. If accepted for interview, your chosen school will invite applicants to a taster day with interview. You will have opportunity to meet the department, your potential mentor and students, see resources and gain first-hand experience of life at a MVTP school. The interview panel will comprise of the Professional School Tutor, a member of the Kent & Medway Team, and where possible, a member of the department to which your training will be assigned.

5. Successful candidates will be appointed on condition of the successful completion of any Kent and Medway Training subject knowledge tests, an English and Numeracy skills audit as well as successful DBS and health checks.

6. Unsuccessful candidates will not be forgotten either. We will give feedback to you explaining why you were not successful in order to help you identify gaps in your skills, knowledge and experience so that, hopefully, you will be in a stronger position to further your chances of gaining a training place with an alternative MVTP school or provider.

19

Guidance for Completing the UCAS Application Form.

• In “PERSONAL DETAILS,” Please use a UK address for correspondence.

Whilst we very much welcome applications from applicants from both inside and outside of the UK. it is very difficult to arrange interviews and experiences from those not yet resident here.

• In “CHOICE DETAILS,” Look carefully at the types of courses available to you and the institutions that are offering them. Don’t be afraid to contact the institution and ask for a visit or discuss the course. Definitely see if there is an opportunity for a School Experience visit. MVTP provides a number of opportunities throughout the year.

This would give you a real flavour of what you can expect from training to be a teacher. You can include the visit on your application as “added experience” and, of course, if you like the school or training institution and the school likes you, you will be in a much stronger position for being offered a placement there; especially if you are choosing the school direct route. Many of our appointed trainees have come via the school experience route.

• In “QUALIFICATIONS,” Please include all qualifications

Please put these in date order with the latest qualification first. Do not forget any other qualification that might assist your application. For Example, any graded music or dance exams or coaching badges. It is useful to have a clear breakdown of the modules of your degree specialism, especially if you wish to train in a subject area to which your degree is not directly related.

• In “PERSONAL STATEMENT,” This is where you can make or break an application. Spelling and Grammar need to be checked and re-checked. Below are some tips as to what to include in an application.

Write about…….

• Why you want to become a teacher; • What you can bring to teaching; o Talk about what you have discovered on work experience and how that can prepare you for teaching training and beyond; o Talk about other experiences that you have working with young people; o Mention hobbies or other activities that you have. Can any of these be explored with students through extra-curricular activities?

20 o Talk about any career experiences that have prepared you for teaching. For example, you mentored apprentices or you were a scout or guide leader; o DO NOT fall into the trap of giving a potted career history UNLESS it is relevant to your future career as a teacher o Think of an inspirational teacher or lesson. Talk about the characteristics of that teacher or lesson that were outstanding. What have you discovered that you would like to bring to your style of teaching.

• In “WORK EXPERIENCE,” Detail any experience that you have had with children other than your own.

This can be any opportunity working alongside others such as a scout or guide leader, accompanying a group of children on a trip as well as any work experience either through taster days or the school experience programme. Use this opportunity to list any impending visits that you may have arranged.

• In “REFEREES,” Choose two referees who can talk about your suitability to become a teacher.

Prepare them for the reference asking them to speak about any skills, knowledge or experience that you have had that will equip you for a career in teaching. Also, impress on them the need to complete and return to UCAS their reference at the earliest possible time. UCAS will not release your application to your chosen providers until both references are returned.

• and FINALLY, ASK SOMEONE TO READ THROUGH YOUR APPLICATION CAREFULLY.

You can check your application thoroughly and in great detail. However, there is nothing more detracting for a reader than sections of the application either not properly completed and/ or spelling, punctuation and grammar inaccuracies: Please do not forget that you are applying to become a teacher who will be expected to communicate in an appropriate manner to students, parents and anyone else in a variety of professional ways. There is nothing better than asking a second person to read through your application just in case there are errors that you have inadvertently missed.

21 22 1 Non Salary School Campus Code W Code Campus Salary West Borough PrimaryBorough West 1 1 Non Salary Non Salary School Academy Phoenix Junior Campus Code L Code Campus Campus Code P Code Campus Salary Salary Danecourt Primary 1 1 Non Salary Non Salary School School Campus Code Y Code Campus Campus Code Q Code Campus Barming Primary Salary Salary Palace Wood Primary 1 2 Non Salary Non Salary Academy Academy 1 Balfour Junior Campus Code B Code Campus Campus Code 8 Code Campus Featherby Junior Salary Salary 1 1 Non Salary Non Salary School School 1 Campus Code 5 Code Campus Campus Code A Code Campus Featherby Infant Salary Salary Allington Primary Courses available at MVTP Primary Schools 2020/ 21 2020/ Schools Primary MVTP at available Courses 2S3H 2S3H Non Salary Non Salary UCAS CODES UCAS UCAS CODES UCAS Salary Salary 2W8Y 2W8Y Primary training. Primary training. Regretfully, all School Direct courses have a limited number of places available per subject area. Once an offer has been accepted, the place will be filled. If you know the school and subject that you wish to train in, please do not delay your application. You might miss out on your preferred option. overleaf see please courses, Secondary For

23 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 Non Salary Grammar Campus Code O Code Campus Salary Oakwood Park Boys 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 Non Salary 1 1 Campus Code M Code Campus Salary Maplesden Noakes 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 Non Salary Campus Code F Code Campus School for Girls for School Salary Fort Pitt Grammar 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 Non Salary 1 Campus Code C Code Campus School for Girls for School Salary Chatham Grammar 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 Non Salary 1 1 Campus Code E Code Campus Salary Brompton Academy Courses available at MVTP Secondary Schools (A - 0) - (A Schools Secondary MVTP at available Courses 2SCJ 2SCJ 2SCJ 267L 2SCL 2S3S 2SCF 267Z 267Y 2Y96 2S3V 2X58 2SCH 3CQL 2GBS 2GC4 2GC6 2SCQ 3CNP 2WXJ 2S3M 267M 2S3W Non Salary UCAS CODES UCAS 267F 2SCP 2GBP Salary 2GBR Italian Spanish German PE Girls PE Boys Art and Design Biology Studies Business Chemistry Citizenship Classics Computing Dance Design Technology & Drama Economics Engineering English Geography Health Social & Care History Tourism and Leisure Mathematics Studies Media MFL: French Music Physics Psychology Religious Studies Sciences Social

24 1 1 1 1 1 Non Salary School Campus Code W Code Campus Salary Walderslade Girls Girls Walderslade 1 1 1 1 2 1 1 2 1 1 1 2 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 Non Salary School Campus Code T Code Campus Thomas Aveling Salary 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 Non Salary St JohnSt Fisher Campus Code J Code Campus Catholic School Catholic Salary 1 1 1 1 1 0 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 Non Salary Campus Code S Code Campus Salary St AugustineSt Academy 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 2 1 1 1 2 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 Non Salary Campus Code R Code Campus Salary Robert Napier School 2SCJ 2SCJ 2SCJ 267L 2SCL 2SCF 2S3S 267Z 267Y 2Y96 2S3V 2X58 2SCH 3CQL 2GBS 2GC4 2GC6 2SCQ 3CNP 2WXJ 2S3M 267M 2S3W Courses available at MVTP Secondary Schools (P - Z) - (P Schools Secondary MVTP at available Courses Non Salary UCAS CODES UCAS 267F 2SCP 2GBP Salary 2GBR Italian Spanish German PE Girls PE Boys Art and Design Biology Studies Business Chemistry Citizenship Classics Computing Dance Design Technology & Drama Economics Engineering English Geography Health Social & Care History Tourism and Leisure Mathematics Studies Media MFL: French Music Physics Psychology Religious Studies Sciences Social

25 Bursaries for non-salaried school direct trainees.

Certain subjects attract a training bursary based on your degree classification. Some subjects for those with a degree of 2:1 or better can attract a scholarship of up to £28,000. In addition to this, all non-salaried trainees in all subject areas can apply for a student loan to cover training fees and basic subsistence costs. Our partners at Kent and Medway Training are happy to help anyone accepted on a course in applying for these.

Please refer to the table below to see if your subject area is included and the bursary that you can expect to receive.

Bursaries

Trainee with 1st, Eligible Early Careers Total Financial Scholarship 2:1, 2:2, PhD or subjects Payment Package * Masters Degree Physics £28,000 £26,000 £6,000 £32,000

Maths £28,000 £26,000 £6,000 £32,000

Languages £28,000 £26,000 £6,000 £32,000

Chemistry, £28,000 £26,000 £6,000 £32,000

Computing £28,000 £26,000 £26,000

Biology £26,000 £26,000

Geography £17,000 £15,000 £15,000

D&T £15,000 £15,000

English, £12,000 £12,000 Business Studies £9,000 £9,000 History, RE Art & Design, £9,000 £9,000 Music Primary Maths £6,000 £6,000

* Add £2000 if in receipt of a Scholarship.

School Direct Salaried trainee’s will be paid by the school and therefore will NOT be entitled to either a bursary nor student loan.

26

Useful Websites

• To see more about Medway Valley Training Partnership https://www.mvtp.org

• To search on-line for Teacher Training courses https://www.gov.uk/guidance/find-postgraduate-teacher-training-courses-in-england

• For details and further information about the School Direct Programme. http://www.education.gov.uk/get-into-teaching/teacher-training-options/school-based- training/school-direct

• For details and further information about available Bursaries and Funding for School Direct Salaried applicants.(QTS) http://www.education.gov.uk/get-into-teaching/funding/employment-based-training

• For details and further information about available Bursaries and Funding for School Direct non- salaried applicants. (PGCE) http://www.education.gov.uk/get-into-teaching/funding/postgraduate-funding

• For help with applying for a Initial Teacher Training course http://www.education.gov.uk/get-into-teaching/apply-for-teacher-training/application- form-assistant.aspx

• Applying for a School Direct Teacher Training Course through UCAS. http://www.ucas.com/how-it-all-works/teacher-training

• For help in gaining a School Experience Placement http://www.education.gov.uk/get-into-teaching/school-experience/sep/applying

• For details and further information about initial teacher training courses at Kent and Medway Training www.kmtraining.org.uk

27 Our Partner Primary Schools

• For details and further information about Allington Primary School www.allington.kent.sch.uk/ • For details and further information about Balfour Junior Academy www.balfourjuniorschool.org.uk/ • For details and further information about Barming Primary School www.barming.kent.sch.uk/ • For details and further information about Danecourt Primary School www.danecourtschool.com/ • For details and further information about Featherby Infant School www.featherby-inf.medway.sch.uk/index.asp • For details and further information about Featherby Junior School. www.featherby-jun.medway.sch.uk/index.asp • For details and further information about Palace Wood School. www.palacewoodschools.org.uk/ • For details and further information about Phoenix Junior Academy www.phoenixjuniors.co.uk/ • For details and further information about West Borough Primary School www.west-borough.kent.sch.uk/

28 Our Partner Secondary Schools • For details and further information about The Thomas Aveling School. www.thomasaveling.co.uk • For details and further information about Maplesden Noakes School www.maplesden.kent.sch.uk • For details and further information about St John Fisher School www.st-johnfisher.medway.sch.uk • For details and further information about Robert Napier www.robertnapier.medway.sch.uk • For details and further information about Fort Pitt Grammar School www.fortpitt.medway.sch.uk/cms/ • For details and further information about Oakwood Park Grammar School www.opgs.org/Pages/default.aspx • For details and further information about St Augustine Academy www.saa.woodard.co.uk/ • For details and further information about Walderslade Girls School www.waldersladegirls.org.uk/ • For details and further information about Brompton Academy. www.bromptonacademy.org.uk/ • For details and further information about Chatham Grammar School for Girls. www.chathamgirlsgrammar.medway.sch.uk/

29 30

School Direct INITIAL TEACHER TRAINING PROGRAMME

ST. JOHN FISHER CATHOLIC SCHOOL MEDWAY VALLEY

Quality TRAINING PARTNERSHIP KMT Teacher Training JOURNEY INTO TEACHING

For more information please contact:

Tel: 01634 844809 Andy Plank: 01634 408425 Website: www.mvtp.org e-mail: [email protected]