Stourport SCITT School Centred Initial Case Study: Teacher Training Working in partnership with local primary and Joe Knott secondary schools: Stourport High School & VIth Form Centre Baxter College The Bewdley School & VIth Form Centre Church Stretton High Stourport SCITT Trainee School Franche CE Primary 2014/15 School Hartlebury CE Primary School King Charles High School “Working with young people allows you to have fun every Lickhill Primary School North Bromsgrove High day and to make a real, positive difference to their lives.“ School & VI Form Oasis Academy Warndon St Bartholomew’s CE Meet Joe Knott, one of our SCITT trainees from 2014/15. He Primary School St John’s CE Primary joined us in September 2014, became a QTS (Qualified Teacher School Status) in July 2015, and within 3 months of gaining his Newly Sedgeberrow First School Stourport Primary School Qualified Teacher status (NQT) he has already been promoted to Sytchampton Endowed First School Assistant Head of Year. So let’s find out a little more about the Wilden CE Primary School main behind the smile with a talent for languages! Wolverley Secondary School Tell us a bit about yourself Joe and why you chose teaching as a profession. “Having teachers in the family has always fostered my interest in teaching as a career. My passion for languages increased whilst during my French Degree at Leeds University where I also studied Mandarin Chinese and Italian as supplementary subjects. I took the chance to teach English language as a foreign language in France and found this incredibly rewarding. I went on to complete a TEFL on returning the England to widen my under- standing of language teaching. I also chose to study Mathematics at University as I enjoy problem solving and the challenges that the subject brings. With my Joint Honours Class 1 Degree in French and Mathematics, I broadened my range of learning and research skills.” What were your reasons for applying to Stourport SCITT? “The Stourport SCITT offered a course which was tailored towards me and could be adapted to allow me to teach both French and Maths at secondary level. This was important to me as I enjoy both subjects equally and wanted to continue to use both subjects in the future. The Stourport SCITT was partnered with schools in the local area, meaning I knew I could stay local and wouldn’t have to travel long distances to placements, encour- aging me to apply to the Stourport SCITT. Stourport High School has a fantastic reputation in the area which further boosted its appeal to me and the ex- cellent communication with the staff running the SCITT showed me the effective organisation before deciding to apply for the Stourport SCITT. “ Got a degree? Fancy training to become a primary or secondary teacher? Apply via UCAS and this could be you next year! Tax-free bursaries available while your train, visit www.getintoteaching.education.gov.uk/bursaries-and-funding So, what does a typical day look like Joe? Stourport SCITT During my SCITT year, I spent lots of time in the classroom observing lessons School Centred Initial and teaching lessons to a range of year groups, to further broaden my abilities Teacher Training and skills for teaching in a secondary school. Time during the week was allocat- ed to planning and marking, to allow for great lessons to be prepared and other Subjects on offer at SCITT-related work to be completed (PGCE assignments/mentor meetings). Stourport SCITT: Time during training blocks was structured around the areas on which we need- ed to improve on as trainees and allowed the focus to be tailored towards the needs of the group, instead of generic training. Biology Business Studies Now that I am qualified, a typical day is spent teaching for the majority of the Chemistry day, with 5 hours given over in the week to planning, preparation and marking Computer Science or a NQT meeting slot. The focus on teaching in the classroom was greatly Design & helped by the preparation on the SCITT course, as it prepared me well for the Technology routines and the procedures in place, as well as the responsibilities. English Geography Health & Social Care “The focus on History Mathematics teaching in the Modern Foreign Languages PE classroom was Physics Primary greatly helped by Social Science Stourport SCITT the preparation on the SCITT course” The Kingsway, Stourport-On-Severn, What is it about teaching that you love? Worcestershire DY13 8BQ My experience in teaching has showed me the rewarding aspects of working T: 01299 824596 with young people and reinforced my motivation to become a teacher. Working E: [email protected] in schools can be challenging and rewarding to see the improvement and inter- est shown by pupils. The Stourport High School Every single day is completely different and it is great to see the energy from & VIth Form Centre students when they are really engaged and understanding a topic in lessons. Minster Road, Working with young people allows you to have fun every day and to make a Stourport-On-Severn, real, positive difference to their lives. Worcestershire DY13 8AQ What advice do you have for others looking to train to become a teacher: Three things really: Spend some time in schools beforehand to get a feel for the classroom environment and what it is like to work with young people all day; visit different schools (not just one) as all schools are very different; and make sure you are extremely passionate about your subject and always be prepared to have a laugh!! Find out more about our School Centred Initial Teacher Training courses for both primary and secondary on our website: www.stourportscitt.com/our-courses .