Welcome to your Lancashire

Graduate Teacher Programme

What qualifications do I need?

The requirements for applicants for the GTP are:

  • they need to have GCSE grade C or above, or a recognised equivalent, in English and Mathematics
  • they need to have GCSE grade C or above, or a recognised equivalent, in Science if applying for Primary initial teacher training
  • they will need a first or second class honours degree or recognised equivalent for the Graduate Teacher Programme (GTP).
  • trainees should have good subject knowledge, normally in the form of a good honours degree (first or second class)
  • their education must provide a suitable basis for teaching their chosen subject/age range
  • You will not normally have previously been on a programme leading to QTS.
  • they need to secure the support of a school

The Consortium welcomes applications from candidates with or without the support of a school.  However it is the responsibility of each applicant to secure the support of a school.  It is not the policy of this Consortium to place trainees with a school  Further help and guidance regarding this is available on request from the Administration Team. 

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What if I do not have the qualifications?

If you do not have these qualifications you can take GCSE courses or Open College 'A' Unit courses, which are equivalent, at your local FE College. Click on the name below to find out about courses at your nearest FE College.

It may be possible to do an equivalency test in English, Maths & Science at an Initial Teacher Training College, if you have school experience and are ready to be accepted on a training course.

(NOTE: Please check prior to starting a programme of study advertised as GCSE equivalent that it is suitable for Initial Teacher Training).

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How are places allocated?

The Teaching Agency (TA) allocates places to the Consortium who then awards these places to high quality applications that meet one of the key recruitment needs listed below. The TDA allocates a number of places for each category, but the majority of places are given for those wishing to train as teachers of Secondary shortage subjects.
The categories for funding are:

  • High Quality Secondary trainees with High Priority subject specialisms (i.e. Maths, Physics, Chemistry and Modern Foreign Languages
  • Secondary trainees in any of the following subjects: English, Drama, History, PE (which are not shortage subjects)
  • High quality Primary trainees

Note:  Applications for September 2012 will only be accepted SUBJECT to TA Allocations.  At this time we cannot guarantee the number of available places or which subjects will be offered for Secondary.

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What is high quality?

The Consortium will look for evidence of high quality in three areas:

  • trainees, who should have school experience and good subject knowledge, preferably in the form of a good honours degree, or the equivalent in an appropriate subject
  • schools, who should be able to show that they can provide a suitable training environment and appropriate support for the trainee. It will be advantageous for a school to have training school status, beacon school status, a good Ofsted report, or other independent evidence of quality - for example from a Local Authority, or an accredited ITT provider with whom the school has worked in partnership to train teachers. (Schools in special measures will not be funded)
  • training plans, which should be well-structured, identifying the support available by the school
  • For more details about how the roles and responsibilities for the training to gain QTS via the GTP route are organised in the Lancashire Consortium, please visit our website: www.teachingin.lancashire.gov.uk

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Why do I need school experience?

Before you can be officially awarded a place on the GTP you need school experience. If you do not have the support of a school when you apply for a place on the GTP, the Consortium may be able to assist you in finding a school. All initial teacher training programmes would expect you to have some experience in a school, or with young people of the age group that you were wishing to teach. The reasons for this are:

  • Most importantly, you need to be sure that teaching is the right career move for you. This includes gaining the assurance that the age range and school setting and this route are appropriate for you
  • The GTP is a very competitive route into teaching, despite what we know to be its very demanding nature. The Consortium is allocated a limited number of places each year. Those who have substantial school experience can present a much stronger application than those who have had little school experience. There is no stipulated length of time for such experience / placement because more relevant than the length of time, is the ability to observe and reflect upon the teaching, learning and classroom management strategies that you observe
  • When you are applying for the GTP you need to have the support of a school. The school does in fact employ you as an unqualified teacher. Schools need to get to know their potential trainees to see how they will work within the school's ethos and how well they will relate to pupils and colleagues
  • Before the start of the training programme it will be necessary to complete a needs assessment to ensure that you are given appropriate, individualised and effective training. This time spent in school will contribute to the required needs assessment undertaken by the school and the Consortium
  • In addition to observing teaching and learning strategies school experience will provide you with an introductory understanding of the curriculum knowledge required by teachers to work in their chosen age range
  • We hope that the above gives you a clear indication of the importance of gaining school experience.

Experience has informed us that those people who have had school experience, and therefore have an awareness of what is expected of them, are stronger candidates and will be likely to complete the programme successfully and go on to make teaching their career.

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What if I have withdrawn from or failed a QTS?

If you have withdrawn from or failed a QTS programme before, The TA will not accept applications from candidates who have failed in earlier attempts to gain QTS unless there are exceptional circumstances. Therefore you will have to prove to the Consortium that you would be able to gain QTS if you were given a further opportunity to train as a teacher. We will need you to provide a letter from the institution where you were training, explaining the circumstances of your withdrawal or failure and also a statement from yourself to demonstrate why you consider that you would be successful on this occasion.

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What are the selection criteria for GTP trainees?

All trainees admitted on to the GTP will have:

  •  GCSE English & Maths at Grade C, or above or a recognised equivalent (Primary applicants must also have Science)

  • a first or second class honours degree;

  • a validation statement from NARIC for qualifications gained overseas;

(Note: ALL of the qualifications noted above must have been awarded prior to the closing date for applications, and a photocopy of each certificate and the degree transcript must be returned with the application)

  • have had a satisfactory criminal background check and/or any other appropriate background check;

  • have successfully undertaken an interview with the Consortium
  • demonstrated that they are intellectually capable and able to think, communicate and plan systematically;

  • demonstrated that they possess strong interpersonal and communication skills and possess the personal characteristics shared by effective teachers;

  • demonstrated that they can read effectively and are able to communicate clearly and accurately in Standard English;

  • demonstrated that they have an appropriate level of numeracy;

  • met the Secretary of State's requirements for health and physical capacity to teach;

(Note: the above requirements are correct as at 1 November 2011)

 

In addition the Consortium will expect that applicants will: 

  • have a degree that will have content relevant to age range / subject to be taught;

  • have gained school experience prior to application;

  • be motivated to teach evidenced by: 

    • an understanding of educational issues;

    • relevant prior experience, including working with children;

    • ability to establish effective working relationships;

  • meet the demands of employment-based training including:

  • analytical & reflective skills;

  • the ability to take responsibility for their own professional learning.

 

The Consortium welcomes and encourages ALL applicants and gives fair consideration to all applications, treating them solely on the basis of merit, ability and potential. The selection process is designed to ensure fairness, consistency and equality of opportunity and access to training. 

Under its Equality Policy the Consortium is committed to ensuring that no applicant receives less (or more) favourable treatment because of age, disability, race, religion and belief, sexual orientation, gender or gender reassignment, nor be disadvantaged by any other condition or requirement which cannot be shown to be justifiable.

 

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What are the selection procedures for the GTP?

The Consortium offers one in-take per year for potential candidates for both Primary & Secondary programmes which commences in September.

All applicants must be able to provide evidence that they hold the relevant GCSE and Degree qualifications when submitting their Application Form in order to be included in the selection process. Note: Applicants who have gained qualifications overseas must have them validated by NARIC prior to submitting their application.
The selection process is conducted over a number of phases:

  1. If you wish to apply you must firstly register with the TA and complete the online Registration Form
  2. Submit a complete application including photocopies of the required qualifications. Applicants with overseas qualifications must also include a copy of the NARIC validation statement..
  3. If you are shortlisted you will be invited to an application seminar. (Applicants who are not shortlisted are sent a letter offering guidance.)
  4. At the seminar, information is presented regarding:
    • the programme, including the roles & responsibilities of the Consortium, schools and trainee
    • the allocation of places within the Consortium
    • the selection process & selection criteria

In addition:

  • you are required to present the original certificates of your GCSE & degree, or equivalent, qualifications.
  • you will undertake an English test to assess your comprehension, ability to reflect and write standard English
  • you will also be required to undertake a Mathematics test

The qualifications are verified and the English / Mathematics test marked and moderated by representatives of the Consortium. If your qualifications are verified and you pass the English & Mathematics tests you will be invited to interview. The panel will apply the above criteria for selection. At the interview you will be required to produce photographic and documentary proof of ID and complete the necessary suitability forms (including CRB).

You will be informed of the outcome. If you are successful and have a school placement, you will be awarded a place on the GTP, on condition that the school Training Plan is approved and you fulfil the required suitability checks. If you do not have a school placement you will be assisted to find a host school, who will then conduct their own selection process. If the school then agrees to accept you on this route, you will then be awarded a place on the GTP, subject to the checks outlined above

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What are the benefits to schools?

From our experience of operating the Graduate Teacher Programme for a number of years, it may be helpful to outline some of the benefits gained by schools which have been involved in the scheme:

  • Schools are able to take ownership of the training and to select trainees who they feel would fit into their ethos, who can bring something extra into the school, and, in the case of Secondary schools, trainees with a specific subject specialisms (Note: Where a candidate has a prior connection with the supporting school then the Consortium will employ additional quality assurance mechanisms to ensure objectivity in the assessment for the Award of QTS)
  • The trainees are based in school for a full year and therefore become fully involved in the life and work of the school, as a member of staff
  • The trainees bring outstanding commitment and dedication to their training
  • The trainees come to the programme with a wide-range of skills and experience to offer to schools. Many have worked in schools for a number of years. In the Primary phase, this has been in the capacity of a Nursery Nurse, Classroom Assistant, or SSA. In the Secondary phase, many have been SSAs, technicians, or have substantial experience in FE. Others bring with them experience of working in industry, having often been involved in a training capacity in their work
  • If the trainee has had no previous experience of working in a school, we recommend that they work in a voluntary capacity for a period of time before they embark on the programme
  • The new training salary allows trainees to be employed in a supernumerary capacity to work alongside members of staff, eventually taking responsibility for classes. Hence, they are an additional resource to the school
  • Schools have reported to us that they have found that by taking a Graduate Teacher Trainee, it has facilitated staff development, which has been beneficial to the whole school
  • The partnership of the Authority with The University of Cumbria means that school partners have a source of support and guidance throughout the programme

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Who is eligible for Salary Funding?

All maintained schools, City Technology colleges and non-maintained special schools will be able to apply for the new GTP with salary funding. Independent schools will not be eligible for salary payments. Pupil Referral Units and 6th form Colleges are not eligible to take trainees in the GTP.

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How is funding allocated?

The Teaching Agency (TA) makes available to the school a contribution towards the salary costs of a trainee. For September 2012 this is £13,500. Trainees are paid on the unqualified teachers' pay spine and must be appointed on a supernumerary basis to be eligible for this funding.

In addition, a training grant of will be paid by the TA to the Consortium to meet training costs; the school will receive a significant proportion of this

The salary funded places are very competitive and the school can opt to fund a place on the programme. This is for schools where the school is employing the trainee to fill a vacancy and the trainee has taught that age group for a minimum of one term prior to the start of the training. The Consortium will apply strict criteria to ensure that there are no risks to the quality of an individual's training.

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When will we Receive Payment?

Once an application has been approved for funding the Consortium will pay the salary and training grant in termly instalments. The salary and training grant payments will be paid to the Consortium, who will then devolve the agreed sum to the school. to the employing school.

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What are the roles and responsibilities for the GTP?

North West & Lancashire GTP Consortium, Schools and Trainees

All who work in partnership within the GTP (Consortium, Schools, Trainees) are committed to provide a high quality programme of Initial Teacher Training compliant with all DfE and TA Standards and Requirements related to the Award of QTS.

The agreed duties and responsibilities of each partner are outlined below:

The Consortium is required to:

  • Administer effectively the Quality Assurance procedures of the Consortium
  • Organise high quality recruitment & selection procedures
  • Guide and support the creation of a high quality training programme
  • Support and monitor the progress of trainees
  • Liaise appropriately with the school regarding the progress of the training
  • Guide trainees in the compilation of their portfolio of evidence
  • Provide documentation & proformas to use within the portfolio of evidence
  • Provide termly tutorials to monitor the programme and offer guidance
  • Deliver the Core Taught Programme
  • Provide access to Learning Resource Centres for the use of trainees at the location where they are attending the Core Taught Programme
  • Set and mark assignments
  • Deliver School-based Tutor training events
  • Organise external advisory visits to observe/monitor and advise the trainee and the school
  • Assist with the Career Entry & Development Profile and preparation for Induction
  • Provide job search skills and advice
  • Administer the arrangements for the final assessment of the trainee
  • Administer the arrangements for the award of QTS
  • Administer, contribute to and evaluate quality management and enhancement procedures
  • Administer the financial arrangements, including the devolvement of the training grant monies to the school
  • Use and audit the remaining training grant monies to support the selection and training of trainees, including delivery of the Core Taught Programme, the marking of assignments, provide access to Learning Resource Centres, the delivery of the School-based Tutor training, external visits to monitor and advise the trainee, the ongoing support to the trainees and schools,  production of programme documentation and administration of the programme

 

The school is required to:

  • Select trainees in accordance with the Consortium criteria

  • With the guidance of the Consortium, devise an Individualised Training   

  • Programme for trainees                                      

  • Undertake a criminal background check in accordance with teacher  

  • regulations and conditions of service

  • Undertake a health check in accordance with teacher regulations and 

  • conditions of  service

  • Have in place agreed policies relating to equality

  • Employ the trainee as an unqualified teacher and pay them on the unqualified teachers’ pay  spine

  • Employ the trainee as a supernumerary member of staff (unless special arrangements have been agreed by the Consortium and provided there are no risks to the quality of the individual's training)
  • Timetable weekly mentor meetings
  • Observe the trainee and provide verbal and written feedback on a weekly basis

  • Provide formal written observations in accordance with the Training Programme and Consortium policies

  • Provide non-contact time for School-based Tutors to meet with and observe the trainee

  • Provide opportunities for the trainee to observe other teachers
  • Arrange team planning and teaching
  • Plan progression of teaching experience in accordance with the Individual Training Programme
  • Provide opportunities to teach across the ability range, in two consecutive age ranges as identified in the ITP, and in a minimum of two settings

  • Monitor and assess the progress of the trainee towards the attainment of  

  • the Standards for the Award of QTS                                  

  • Write termly progress reports

  • Facilitate a placement (minimum 3 weeks) in a second school which offers a contrasting professional experience

  • Set appropriate targets to be addressed during the second school placement

  • Provide opportunities for visits to other key stages and educational settings

  • Attend School-based Tutor Training events

  • Release  the trainee to attend the Core Taught Programme

  • Provide access to additional courses as identified within the Individual Training Programme or through the monitoring of training needs during the training period
  • Provide access to training for the literacy, numeracy skills tests, if required

  • Contribute to the evaluation of the Consortium’s provision

  • Use and audit the training grant monies, which are devolved to the school, to support the training programme of the trainee.

 

The trainee is required to:

  • Conduct him/herself in accordance with the Standards related to professional values and practice and in accordance with the professional requirements of the lead school

  • Increase his/her teaching commitment throughout the training period at an appropriate rate as recorded in the Training Programme
  • Attend the Core Taught Programme
  • Pass the Core Taught Programme set assignments
  • Undertake additional courses and training, as identified within the Individual Training Programme, or from monitoring of training needs
  • Compile a portfolio of evidence to ensure that each of the Standards for the award of QTS is met
  • Attend termly tutorials

  • Complete a teaching placement in a second school which offers a contrasting professional experience

  • Teach across the age and ability range in two consecutive age ranges as identified in the ITP, and in a minimum of two settings
  • Be involved in the corporate life of the school

  • Complete the Career Entry & Development Profile

  • Pass the QTS skills tests

  • Be in good standing with the Consortium and its related Learning Resource Centres 

  • Read and acknowledge the information below

 

The trainee understands that:

  • The GTP is an employment-based route and that other routes into teaching are available, which the trainees are responsible for researching

  • Trainees on this route are not eligible for the ‘Golden Hello’, nor can they apply for a student loan, whilst training 

  • The route does not guarantee a teaching post or employment in schools

  • Other routes may have a different emphasis on the amount of teaching  practice experience

  • Trainees will be bound by an employee’s contract for the duration of the training and it is the trainees’ responsibility to ensure that they have understood the implications of this contract

  • Progress is subject to satisfactory systematic reviews (usually, but not exclusively, conducted at the end of each term)

  • Funding only extends to the time designated in the Partnership Agreement; no extensions to funding are available on the Graduate Teacher Programme. Hence, if trainees are not able to meet the standards in the time allocated in the Training Agreement, there is no additional funding from the TA/Consortium to support further employment and training

  • In accordance with the Consortium’s procedures trainees may be asked to leave the course at any time, if it is professionally deemed that the trainee will not meet the standards for the Award of QTS.  

 

 Agreement to the terms outlined stands until terminated by either party.

 

 

 

 

 

 

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