News
Tuesday 26 June 2007
University to lead new teacher training project
An intensive and innovative teacher training programme designed to train high-quality graduates for roles in challenging secondary schools has been launched at Nottingham Trent University. The University has joined forces with charity Teach First to lead the teacher training component of its Midlands’ programme, following huge success of the initiative in London and Manchester.
The first cohort have begun a six-week summer session at the University’s Brackenhurst campus where they will learn the basic principles of teaching and gain real experience in local schools. Students will be trained by University lecturers in english, maths, science, ICT, history, music and religious education, areas that traditionally have a shortage of teachers.
In September they will begin a two-year contract in specially selected placement schools, achieving Qualified Teacher Status (QTS) after their first year.
Teach First is aimed at top graduates who may not otherwise have considered a career teaching. The selection criteria is extremely rigorous and ensures participants have the energy, commitment and ability to communicate required to succeed in challenging secondary classrooms.
In addition to frequent tutor visits, participants will be given support through social and professional development events, online tools and, in their second year, help from volunteer coaches from the business sector.
The launch event included presentations from the Teach First Chief Executive, Brett Wigdortz, and the Dean of Nottingham Trent University’s School of Education, Dr Gill Scott.
Teach First Midlands Programme Manager, John Everson, who is based in Nottingham Trent University’s School of Education, said: “My personal passion for the Teach First programme, and the reason why I have taken on the role of Programme Manager, is founded in the opportunity it presents to enrich the education of our young people here in the Midlands. The gains for pupils, their schools, their communities and for Midlands’ education as a whole, from this initial year, and as the programme grows, will be excellent.”
ENDS
Notes for editors: Nottingham Trent University is the lead institution for the Midlands’ Teach First programme, which is run by a consortium of Midlands’ universities. The other institutions are University of Wolverhampton, The University of Central England, Newman College of Higher Education and Worcester University.
Participants on the Teach First programme require a minimum of a 2:1 undergraduate degree; 300 UCAS tariff points and Grade C or above in GCSE (or equivalent) maths and english. The also need the ability to show high levels of competency in areas such as leadership, teamwork, resilience, critical thinking, communication skills, initiative and creativity, and respect, humility and empathy.
For more information on Teach First visit their website.
Press enquiries please contact Dave Rogers, Press Officer, on telephone +44 (0)115 848 8782, or via email or Therese Easom, Press and Media Relations Manager, on telephone +44 (0)115 848 8774, or via email.
