GTP places for September 2009 cohort are now closed. Expressions of interest can be made from the November and prior to the end of December for 2010 intake.

  

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Information for candidates and schools

What is the Graduate Teacher Programme?

The Graduate Teacher Programme (GTP) offers a way to qualify as a teacher whilst working. It is a one-year programme of postgraduate training. With Qualified Teacher Status (QTS), a qualified teacher can work in any maintained school in England. The University of Southampton provides GTP courses for gaining QTS at both secondary and primary age ranges and acts as the Designated Recommended Body (DRB).

More information about the GTP programme and other employment based routes into training can be found by visiting the Training and Development Agency for Schools website.

The Graduate Teacher Programme at the University of Southampton

The University of Southampton supports the training of between 40 and 50 GTP teachers each year. The majority of our places are for the priority subjects of maths, science, ICT, music, RS and MFL but we have a small quota of places for primary and the non-priority subjects of PE and English. Each year we support a number of teachers who are working in the independent sector on a self-funded basis.

Eligibility

To apply for the University of Southampton GTP programme, a candidate must:

• establish a relationship with a school that is prepared to employ them as an unqualified teacher
• have experience of working and teaching in schools and have a thorough understanding of what the role of a teacher entails. This experience is usually gained by working in a school(s) as a technician, classroom assistant, volunteer etc

The programme suits people who want to change to a teaching career but need to continue earning while they train. However, in most cases the financial support received whilst on a PGCE course is similar to that earned during a GTP course. The training is tailored to suit individual needs. Entry to the GTP is highly competitive, and places go to the best applicants in each of the TDA's priority categories. For details of these categories, visit the GTP pages of the TDA website. www.tda.gov.uk.

What qualifications are required?

• A UK Bachelor's degree or equivalent
• GCSE grade C or above (or equivalent) in mathematics and English. For primary teaching you must also have GCSE grade C or above (or equivalent) in science

When does the programme run?

The GTP at the University of Southampton begins in September each year and tracks the school calendar in relation to term dates and holidays etc.

How long is the programme?

Normally one year. If a candidate already has teaching experience, it may be possible to take less time although this has implications for levels of funding.

Which subjects are supported?

The DRB aims to provide GTP teachers negotiated access to PGCE lectures. It also provides GTP teachers with tutor support from subject or phase specialists in the area in which they seek QTS. The DRB is able to support the following subjects:

• English
• Mathematics
• Sciences
• Information Technology
• Modern Languages
• Religious Studies
• Physical Education
• Music
• Primary

Locating a teaching post?

Candidates looking for posts may:

• Check local papers and the Times Educational Supplement for vacancies.
• Write introductory letters to all the appropriate schools in the area.
• Contact Local Education Authorities who often advertise teacher vacancies on their website vacancy pages.

Sometimes the University of Southampton acting as the DRB will be aware of schools that are looking for a GTP teacher but this is rare and candidates should realise that the onus is on them to find a school.

Other opportunities

For some candidates it might be more appropriate to train as a teacher by following a PGCE course. Certainly, the GTP programme requires candidates to have a very clear understanding for the demands of teaching and the University will expect applicants to have experience of teaching and learning environments. For details of other opportunities, ring the Teaching Information Line on 0845 6000 991 or the University of Southampton PGCE office on 023 8059 6231.

Funding

The school will pay a salary at the rate for either a qualified or unqualified teacher. The TDA may pay a grant of up to £14,200 to the school towards the employment costs. The TDA makes some places available with a training grant only where the school is able to pay the full cost of the salary. The University of Southampton has places available at both levels of funding. Schools in the independent sector do not receive any funding from the TDA and will be asked to cover the training costs of the university (£4000).

Procedure for applying for the GTP at the University of Southampton DRB

Stage 1 (often the most difficult stage)

A candidate locates a school (or vice versa) and both parties understand that the programme normally runs for a year and requires that during this time a candidate is provided with teaching experience and training opportunities (please see the expectation notes below).

Stage 2 – September onwards

School and/or candidate lodge an electronic expression of interest with the GTP administrator (gtp@soton.ac.uk). The expression of interest needs to contain a letter from the school (identifying their experience of the candidate and his/her potential to teach) and a CV from the candidate (to include academic qualifications and relevant experience of working with schools/children etc).

Stage 3 – Usually Spring term

In the spring term all expressions of interest are processed. If appropriate the GTP Admissions Tutor Jan Lewis (tel. 01722 710262) visits the school to meet both the candidate and the staff responsible for supporting the GTP within the school. At this visit a decision will be made as to whether the application can move to the next stage or not. Decisions will be based on a candidate’s qualifications, experience and what they have learnt from this experience. Consideration will also be given to the resources available in the school to support the programme.

If the Admisson Tutor supports the applicant and the school an electronic version of the University's application form will be provided for the applicant to complete with the school's help. Forms are returned to the GTP Administrator electronically (gtp@soton.ac.uk).

Stage 4

When the Administrator receives the GTP application form it is processed by the GTP staff and the applicant is normally called to a final interview held at the university. The interview tutor will be a specialist in the subject or phase for which QTS is sought and will also be the person who then goes on to support the successful applicant while they are on the programme. At the interview the candidate will be asked to discuss experiences that have led them to consider teaching as a career and to demonstrate their abilities in the subjects that they will potentially be teaching.

Stage 5

The school and candidate are informed of the University's decision. If successful, applicants are guaranteed a place on the GTP and will usually have time to gain more experience before the programme is due to start.

OUTLINE RESPONSIBILITIES OF PARTICIPANTS

The Graduate Teacher Programme (GTP) is an employment based route to achieving Qualified Teacher Status. The GTP organised by the University of Southampton is designed to support Candidates achieve Qualified Teacher Status (QTS) through a combination of inputs from both the School and University. Because the GTP is an employment based route to QTS, schools must realise that they will need to provide the majority of the training and support during the GTP year. In essence, the GTP is designed to assist in the promotion of quality teaching such that candidates not only achieve QTS but also are fully prepared to move smoothly into their Newly Qualified Teacher (NQT) year. The ultimate aim of the partnership is to provide the best possible learning environment in order to develop excellent teachers in schools.

The process starts from the assumption that developing a programme of individual need will be complex and sensitive to the needs of both the candidate and the school. It will also recognise that the candidate is employed by the school and has expectations within that role as well as the requirement to provide a Portfolio of Evidence for their QTS final assessment.

The relationship between the school mentor(s), University of Southampton and the candidate will therefore require negotiation around the following characteristics:

• Recognise the employment status and past experience of the candidate
• Focus support to the candidate's developing needs
• Recognise continuity in the development of support
• Set suitable targets to promote progression in the candidate's skills

The impact of these requirements is that all the participants need to recognise their role in the process and seek to support each other as and when required in the achievement of the common goal. In consequence the following framework of roles and expectations is highlighted as the basis for negotiation and development of the support programme.

The framework will have the following elements of support:

SCHOOL - MENTOR(s)

• Will be expected to attend mentor training sessions run by the University of Southampton
• Will be expected to be the main focus of support in the school
• Will be expected to meet the candidate on a regular basis (usually weekly) to discuss progress and development
• Will be expected to provide proposed action plans on a regular basis for the candidate to achieve the standards of QTS as set out in Qualifying to Teach Professional Standards for Qualified Teacher Status
• Will be expected to draw, as and when required, on the support frameworks provided by the University of Southampton to assist in the achievement of the standards
• Will provide appropriate materials and training support from within the school (this is particularly relevant in the development of subject knowledge support)
• Will monitor, on a regular basis, the progress of the candidate. An important aspect of this responsibility will be to carry out full lesson observations of which a minimum of ten must be completed each term . These observations should include full debriefing sessions.
• Will provide, as and when available, opportunity for the candidate to attend normal support inputs provided by the school for Staff/ITT students (e.g. INSET programmes, Programmes for NQT, Programmes for ITT Placements)

Please Note

The Requirements for Initial Teacher Training state that .Each trainee teacher must have experience in at least two schools. The University requires that GTP teachers have the equivalent of 3 weeks teaching experience in a second school. In the first instance it is the school.s responsibility to find a second school (covering the same age range) for the GTP teacher to work in. The University provides an induction day and a series of training days and the school will need to release the GTP teacher from their teaching commitments on these days.

A usual teaching commitment for a GTP teacher is:

• a period of induction (duration dependent on experience and knowledge of the school)
• a first term time table of around 50% teaching commitment
• a second term time table of around 60% teaching commitment
• a third term time table of around 70% teaching commitment

As the GTP teacher’s employer it is the school’s responsibility to carry out the necessary CRB checks.

CANDIDATE

• Will be expected to meet and work with the mentor(s) in school to promote their teaching expertise
• Will be expected to keep a record of all their work in the school to provide evidence for their Portfolio of Evidence
• Will be expected to attend the induction day and training days provided by the University of Southampton
• Will be expected to successfully complete a second school experience equivalent to a minimum of a three week teaching timetable to take place in the second term of the training programme
• Will be expected to use the support materials provided by the University of Southampton, in negotiation with their mentor(s), in order to develop their Portfolio of Evidence
• Will be expected to attend, as directed by the mentor(s), any support programmes (e.g. INSET programmes, Programmes for NQT, Programmes for ITT Placements) offered by the school
• Will be expected to make themselves available for monitoring visits from University of Southampton to assess progress
• Will need to pass Skills Tests in Literacy, Numeracy and ICT before completion of the Programme in order to obtain QTS

UNIVERSITY OF SOUTHAMPTON

• Will provide all the initial support and administration to gain a place on the GTP programme provided by the TDA
• In conjunction with the school, will help support Accreditation of Prior Experience and Learning (APEL) where appropriate for the candidate
• Will provide an induction programme for the mentor(s)
• Will provide a series of taught training days for the candidate
• Will provide support materials for the mentor(s) and candidate
• Will work with the school and candidate to monitor the nature of support provided and ensure continuity and progression in the development towards and achievement of the standards
• Will visit the school to monitor the progress of the candidate concerning their progress and development of the Portfolio of Evidence. As a minimum this will entail*.
• Will provide extra support to the candidate if the school or university notes any specific areas of concern
• Will provide the final assessment of the candidate . To include lesson observations, interview and examination of the Portfolio of Evidence
• Will develop and provide a Career Entry Profile for the candidate
• Will make the recommendation concerning Qualified Teacher Status to the DfES

The above needs to be placed in the context of the requirements of the candidate and the school. Individual programmes will be negotiated personally and sensitively and ensure that they are:

*An initial visit in September: To meet GTP teacher, mentor and school tutor and to discuss the training plan and support the identification of priorities and targets. Termly visits: To take place towards the end of each term to watch the GTP teacher take a lesson and to debrief afterwards and to check documentation (Portfolio and Standards booklets). Final Assessment: To take place at the end of the training year. A different university tutor will visit the GTP teacher and watch a lesson and assess the documentation with a view to recommending QTS.

GTP Admissions Tutor - Jan Lewis (tel. 01722 710262)

For a Prospectus, please click here.

Keith Smith

Deirdre Renwick

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