Teacher Training - Latest Lessons

Here are the latest grains of wisdom from the quickly shifting sands of teacher training provision, as provided by University careers colleagues who are members of the Teaching and Related Professions Task Group.

Teach First

Recruitment to the programme has been brisk for 2013 entry and over 1000 applicants have already been accepted.  There are still 250 vacancies, but these are mainly for Maths and English.

The scheme now has its own dedicated website www.teachfirst.org.uk including vacancy details and a central application process.

To anticipate a couple of likely faqs:

• About 17.5 % of the 2012 intake ( a total of 997) are teaching in primary schools.
• 36% of 2012 entrants are male - well above the 25% in the profession overall.
• Teach First will accept Psychology graduates to teach Science - but only if they achieve a B.Sc. and have grade B in a science at A Level.

School Direct

News has also reached us that it will be possible to apply for School Direct vacancies through the Graduate Teacher Training Registry when the latest wave of applications for 2014 entry opens on 1st November this year. Application deadlines will for the first time be scrapped. 

Note: School Direct is already making its mark in Cumbria and North Lancashire, and we can expect Teach First to follow suit.

Why Would I Want To Teach English in a Summer Camp?

Following on from the  recent post on summer jobs here is a guest post from Helen Hargreave of onlinetefl.com on the advantages of spending some of your vacation teaching english as a foreign language:

There’s snow on the ground…yet now is the prime time for summer job applications. If you’re looking to get some great experience working abroad this summer (yes, with real summer weather!) then deadlines for teaching English in a summer camp are approaching…

Teaching English as a Foreign Language (TEFL) in a summer camp is just one way to ensure that you have an incredible summer before University starts again or before you start the job hunt! It will not only provide you with some great skills and a decent wage but it will also look great on your CV.

Here are a couple of reasons why you should consider working at a summer camp:

To try it out to see if you want a future in teaching 

Never thought of teaching before? This is a great opportunity to try out something new and exciting!
Summer teaching positions can be anything from two weeks to a full summer so whether you just want a taste of TEFL or a jam-packed and varied summer – the decision is up to you.

One of the best things about teaching at summer camps is the fun atmosphere. Although your role is to teach English, students are also there to have fun! So if your first thought is “I’ve never taught before”  then this is a great environment for you to meet like-minded teachers in exactly the same situation as you – plus you’ll have an instant group of friends!

To get some practice

If you are considering teaching English on a more permanent basis in the future – a summer camp will provide you with a relaxed atmosphere to perfect your TEFL training.

Annie taught in a summer camp in Finland with no regrets!

“I didn’t realise at this point that my time at summer camp was just what I needed to get the confidence and experience in teaching to secure a full time contract at a language academy in Spain later that year.  Summer camp was the perfect way for me to get started and it I would recommend it to anyone!”

A few facts:

How much can I earn?

Residential summer camps will often provide you with free accommodation, food and a wage. Salaries will often vary from country to country and employer to employer but a standard wage would be from €250 a month. For more information on teaching in summer camps try this article.

Which countries can I teach in?

As a UK citizen, you are allowed to teach all over the EU without a degree. Popular summer camp destinations include: Spain, Finland, France, Italy and Switzerland to name a few!
Want to stay in the UK? There are also plenty of positions a bit closer to home.

What sort of training do I need to teach at a summer school?

To teach in a UK summer camp you will need to hold a recognized level 5 TEFL qualification i.e. an EDI CertTEFL, Trinity TESOL or a CELTA. In Europe, you will find that many employers will ask for some TEFL training beforehand – to find out more about getting qualified make sure to download this free Graduate Guide to Teaching English Abroad

What Do Graduates Do?

Although graduate employment levels for 2010-11 were slightly down on the previous year, there were considerable variations between different subjects of study, according to "What Do Graduates Do?" (WDGD) 2012, based on the annual survey of Destinations of Higher Education Leavers that takes place each year.

One career area that clearly bucked the downward trend was Computer Science and IT which showed an 8.5% rise in graduate employment and e-skills UK have forecast that growth in IT employment will grow at twice the UK average until 2020.  Of course, not all entrants into the industry will have studied IT as a main subject at University.

Less good news came unexpectedly from the public sector with a big fall in entrants and the trend extended to include occupational therapists, physiotherapists, radiographers, teachers and probation officers.  These areas each offered over 100 posts less than 2010-11 but the biggest drop was in the number of social work entrants, which fell by 420.  This is certainly not great news for the University of Cumbria, which offers courses in all the professions listed except probation.

The report once again showed the importance of self-employment to graduates from performance arts, media production and art and design. 64.6% or artists and 85.3% of musicians were recorded as being self employed or freelancers six months after graduation.

The Business Studies area is one that exemplifies the "mixed message" theme identified in the WDGD report.  Although it shows up with a higher level of unemployment than average (10.1%) and a sharp drop in the numbers going on to further study, each of the key disciplines of Accountancy, Business Management and Marketing showed high levels of graduates going straight into relevant employment.

They were also some of the subjects that produced less graduates working as Retail, Catering, Waiting and Bar staff, a denomination which covers a large number graduates yet to find a suitable career opportunity by the date of the survey - although longitudinal studies show that many succeed in doing so over a longer period of time.

October Teaching Careers Workshops

Now is the time to start thinking about Teacher Training applications especially for Primary PGCE courses - and Secondary as well if you are thinking of applying for in-demand subjects like PE.  The deadline for Primary applications is 1st December.

With this in mind, Careers Adviser Joanne Watson will be delivering two sessions at Brampton Road campus this month for those who are or may be interested in teacher training.

You can find more details, dates and times on the University website

FAQ: Is there a certain way to write a CV depending on what job you are applying for?

This is going to be a 'yes and no' type of answer!

Broadly speaking, third year students and graduates can feel fairly safe if they adopt the traditional, two-page, reverse chronological, approach covering the key headings of Education, Employment, Interests and Achievements and References (one academic reference and one from the world of work) or the skills-based approach where you have a strong section on your employment-related skills instead of much detail on your past jobs.  If you don't understand the difference between these two approaches, you might like to do some initial research using the resources like those mentioned at the end of this post.

However, there are some mainly slight differences that do occur according to your career interest.

For example, Law CVs tend to be highly traditional.  The skills-based approach is not favoured and neither are off-the-wall presentational features. Unlike other areas, all exam results including GCSEs should be stated, including all degree modules and results.

On the other hand, imaginative approaches that break the 'normal' CV mould can work in some employment sectors although it should be remembered that they are always a 'high risk strategy' that can succeed spectacularly or fail totally.  For careers in the creative sector it is probably best to stay with a fairly standard approach, but ensure the CV conveys a sense of good visual presentation, and include a link to your online portfolio.

For those whose degrees are recognised professional qualifications (e.g. teachers, health professionals), some useful pointers are:

• Quote your professional registration or PIN number in your personal details (or say that it's awaited) to demonstrate your eligibility
• Offer some comments about parts of your course you found interesting or significant
• You must include details of your course placements including what you did or learned on them

Probably the only area where the approach to the CV is completely different is the wonderful world of Acting and Performance, where it is usual (unlike UK CVs in general) to include a photograph of yourself but to omit your school qualifications altogether. Details such as your physical appearance, the ages and accents you can portray would however be included.

This is the latest in our occasional series of Careers FAQs.  For more information about CV writing, see the links we have provided at http://delicious.com/skillzone/cv  or one of the numerous books on the subject in the University and public libraries. University of Cumbria students can also find more information on the Jobs&Careers tab on the Blackboard Virtual learning Environment.

Forthcoming Shortage of Primary Teachers?

Student Teachers at University of Cumbria

Last Friday's 'Independent' reported research by Pearson Education which indicated that, while applications for primary teacher training places have dropped by 17%, primary school and nursery roles are set to rise by 8% over the next three years, leading to speculation of future shortages of qualified teachers.

Researchers also found that 55% of Primary Headteachers reported a decline in staff morale and had found it more difficult to recruit teachers than last year. Suggestions of a recruitment crisis have however been stringently denied by the Department of Education.

Comment: Some of our recent Primary graduates may be surprised to learn that it is becoming easier to find teaching jobs.  Any easing of the currently highly competitive recruitment situation at Primary level will of course be good news - but one wonders whether any benefits will be equally spread across the country.  What happens in Stratford may not come about so readily in Cumbria.

Train to Teach – Bursaries still available

The University of Cumbria still has places on PGCE courses

You may be eligible for a place on one of our PGCE courses starting this September for which we have a limited number of places still available.

These courses include:

• PGCE Primary in Carlisle & Tower Hamlets, London
• PGCE Early Years in Carlisle & Lancaster
• PGCE Secondary subjects in Biology, Chemistry, English, Geography, ICT, Maths & Physics all in Lancaster

If you are unsure about whether your degree makes you eligible for these courses please call us on 01524 384 500/679 and we can advise you and possibly offer you a Subject Knowledge Enhancement.

You may be eligible for a bursary between £5,000 - £20,000 depending on your degree subject and classification – we can advise you on your eligibility when you call us.

For more information visit the following link:

http://www.cumbria.ac.uk/Courses/ApplicationsEnquiries/Enquiries/PGCE.aspx


Source: The Education Enquiry Team

Have You Ever Thought About Teaching Internationally?

article submitted by the

 

Why not? Discover a world of exciting career prospects through the Council of International Schools (CIS)! As a not-for-profit, membership organisation, CIS provides teacher recruitment and accreditation services for 660 schools located all over the world. At a CIS-organised recruitment fair, a selection of international school representatives interview qualified teacher candidates for positions within their schools.

For those with a sense of adventure, a career in international education can be a uniquely rewarding experience, both professionally and personally. Broaden your horizon and become immersed in a different culture and environment. You will no doubt make many new friends and forge life-lasting ties as you join an engaged global community of educators. International schools, by mission and by model, promote international awareness, knowledge, understanding and inclusion. You can keep up-to-date with current educational practices by participating in rich and varied professional development programs which are integral benefits of working at an international school as are modern teaching resources and technology. International schools offer a comprehensive salary and benefits package that may provide higher remuneration than that offered by national or state schools.

The CIS London recruitment fair is a well-established, respected and successful event that has been running for over thirty years, attracting a diverse mix of schools and teachers. Only schools meeting our rigorous membership criteria and standards may utilise our recruitment services so you can be confident of engaging with quality, reputable schools.

In order to register and participate in a recruitment fair, you will need to create an account on our website and complete an application form. A professional file must then be established and approved. For details on the criteria and application documentation, please view the teacher recruitment pages of our website. We can only consider applicants once they have had 1-2 years of current teaching experience so, please bear CIS in mind for the future.

We have a dedicated and friendly team of professionals available to answer your questions and advise; send us an email at teacherrecruitment@cois.org

Where will you go? Paris? Stockholm? Moscow? Dubai? Shanghai? Phuket? New York City? Cairo? Nassau? Don’t decide in advance; be open to opportunities as they present themselves. You could have the experience of a lifetime!

Changes to School Direct from 2013

Those interested in a career in primary or secondary teaching may be interested to know that the School Direct programme has been expanded for the academic year 2013/14 and will then offer two types of training places:

1) The School Direct Training Programme, which is open to all graduates and funded by tuition fees
paid by the trainee, who may receive a bursary from the Teaching Agency (TA).

2) The School Direct Training Programme (salaried), which is an employment-based route into
teaching for high quality graduates with three or more years’ career experience. The trainee is
employed as an unqualified teacher by a school and will replace the Graduate Teacher Programme (GTP) which will close.

All School Direct places will lead to qualified teacher status (QTS). Schools will decide whether they wish the provider to award a postgraduate certificate in education (PGCE)from a higher education institution or School Centred Initial Teacher Training Institution (SCITT).

For recruitment to the academic year 2013/14 the TA will manage a central application system, providing a single point of application for all candidates and on which all School Direct places will be listed. Further details will be made available in due course.

Please note however that places for the 2012-13 School Direct programme will be made direct to schools.  For more details see the Teaching Agency website.

Source: Teaching Agency announcement via AGCAS

Teaching Supply Agencies prove fruitful for NQTs

Last week teaching supply agencies visited the Learning Gateway at Fusehill Street Campus to update NQTs on the benfits of considering supply work as a means of getting their teaching career started.
M2Education, Hi-Flyers, Teaching Personnel and CAPITA met with students from the PGCE and QTS Primary courses.
If you are considering supply as a stepping stone to your dream job then check our hand-picked website links for Supply Agencies http://www.delicious.com/stacks/view/INRflp
and Finding Jobs http://www.delicious.com/stacks/view/C26Vjb

Recruitment Fair - Supply Teaching

Are you a newly-qualified teacher (NQT) or graduate seeking work locally or nationally?

The University of Cumbria’s Careers Service is organising a Teaching Supply Agencies Mini Recruitment Fair 
Date: Tuesday 19th June, 9.00 a.m. - 1.00 p.m.
 
Location: Ground Floor, Learning Gateway, Fusehill Street, Carlisle

Agencies represented will include M2Education, Reed Education, Hays, High-Flyers and Teaching Personnel.

All are welcome to attend.

Further information from Joanne Watson, Careers and Employability Adviser.

Help for Newly Qualified Teachers

The job situation for Newly Qualified Teachers (NQTs) has slowly been worsening over the past few years and even highly skilled leavers are now having to fight hard to find the right opportunity in some parts of the country.

With this in mind we have used our account on delicious.com to gather together a 'stack' of key links that are likely to be helpful to NQTs in their search for work. You can view them at http://delicious.com/stacks/view/INRflp and we hope they help our own and other students to break into the teaching profession.

Incidentally, you can view stacks on an increasing number of key related themes by looking up http://www.delicious.com/stacks/skillzone

Hibernia College UK - More Information

Further to the previous post on alternative teacher training routes, here is some more information from the above organisation from the Training and Development Agency (TDA):

Hibernia College UK Limited (HCUK) was accredited by the Training and Development Agency (TDA) as a new initial teacher training (ITT) provider in September 2011 and has been allocated maths, chemistry and physics initial teacher training (ITT) and subject knowledge enhancement (SKE) places for both 2011/12 and 2012/13 academic years.

Its first cohorts of maths chemistry and physics ITT and SKE trainees started their training on 23 January 2012. HCUK has further cohorts starting on 16 April 2012 and is planning additional cohorts for July and September 2012 starts.

HCUK offers:

• “freestanding” maths, chemistry and physics SKE courses that are open to trainees accepted onto other accredited ITT providers’ maths, chemistry and physics ITT courses (conditional on them undertaking an appropriate SKE course); and
• “SKE integrated” maths, chemistry and physics ITT courses: postgraduate ITT courses that deliver SKE, integrated with ITT, within a two year in length course.

Although HCUK is based in London, it is a national ITT provider for the simple reason that its courses have been developed as interactive, online courses and are accessible to potential trainees wherever they might be located throughout England.

More NQT Jobs in Dumfries and Galloway?

The Scottish Government has been trying to create opportunities for newly-qualified teachers for some two years.Under the Teacher Refresh programme, local Councils can receive extra borrowing entitlements if they offer early retirement to techers aged 55+ and replace them with newly qualified teachers.

Initial take up of the programme was slow, with only two Councils signing up - Falkirk and West Dunbartonshire. But the pace has now quickened, as just nine miles up the M6 from Carlisle, Dumfries and Galloway Council have earlier this year granted 82 teachers early retirement. An article in last Wednesday's Dumfries and Galloway Standard further suggests that a second wave of 82 teachers will be retiring, to be replaced by 64 newly qualified teachers and 15 probationary (induction year) teachers.

Whether this means an extra source of vacancies for our own Education graduates in any number is questionable, but it does perhaps show that the glut of newly-qualified teachers in Scotland created by the "McCrone Year" arrangement is slowly starting to recede.

Is An Academic Career For You? http://ow.ly/8SeJY careers research teaching

Applying for Pools etc?

Here's a useful reference I just tweeted @uoccareers:

Your First Teaching Post - info from NUT including application procedures in English and Welsh LAs: http://ow.ly/8QPIR teaching vacancies.

The document, actually titled "First Post" also includes a lot of other highly useful information for applicants for NQT posts.

International Teacher Recruitment Fair in Glasgow

International Education Recruitment agency Worldteachers are holding their inaugural Teacher Recruitment Fair in the Grand Central Hotel, Glasgow - UK on 13th and 14th February 2012.

A number of International schools will be attending from various countries, to interview and offer jobs to teachers at various levels in different subjects.

Opportunities range from graduate Primary and Kindergarten teachers through to senior Secondary teachers, as well as TEFL and ESL language teachers.

If you want to attend you will need to register in advance at http://www.worldteachers.net/_microsites/teacherrecruitmentfairs/getintouch

I understand Worldteachers will also be offering  interviews to applicants from  6th February 2012.

Registered Teacher Programme in Cumbria

Careers information can change incredibly fast!

The Registered Teacher Programme (RTP) enables Teaching and Learning Assistants to be come qualified teachers through on-the-job based learning.

When I recently told some students that they could apply for RTP via the Lancashire GRTP Consortium I was upset to find that I was giving duff information. The consortium now only deals with the Graduate Teacher Programme (GTP) - the job-based route for graduates. I can now find no trace of an RTP provider for Cumbria.

Incidentally the closing date for GTP applications is 16th January for entry in September 2012.

Supply Teaching - Is It Worth It?

...by Amanda Novis, PGCE student at Lancaster Campus

With government cutbacks, the number of jobs available for newly qualified teachers is dwindling. This is a cause for concern for many students at the University of Cumbria, which trains a number of teachers for each key stage and subject. Instead of a fixed post, many graduates are having to spend some time in the supply sector. But what is supply work really like?

“The best part is seeing what pupils are learning in other subjects,” says Janet, a graduate in PGCE Secondary RE currently doing supply work. “You know what they're doing in your specialisation at different levels, but other subjects are kind of a mystery until you get in there.” She also enjoys meeting the different classes but sometimes being a supply teacher with a new class can be difficult.

“The kids know you're just a supply teacher. They might never see you again, so they're less worried about acting up. That's particularly a risk with older children. They're pleased to see you at first – they think they're just going to get a video to watch when a supply teacher comes in – but when you tell them that's not the case, that you will be teaching them a proper lesson, they can become difficult.” Once you've been in the same school a few times and developed your relationship with classes more, this becomes less of an issue.

It's not just the kids themselves that can be problematic. Communication can be poor, with no work set for the classes or a lack of clear instructions. On one occasion, Janet was left a note telling her to continue with the work set in the textbooks. However, when the textbooks were not in the classroom and even the head of department didn't know where to find them, the job got tricky.

“But it's definitely worth it,” Janet assures me. “It's just a hard market at the moment. Plus, it looks much better on your CV if you've shown that you're willing to do supply work.” There are also some easily overlooked benefits: “When new jobs come up at the start of term, people currently in teaching jobs can't apply for them because of their notice periods. So there's a little less competition.”

Janet has some tips for those wanting supply work: “Be flexible,” she says. “Be open minded. I'm on contract to travel up to an hour away, so I'll be considered for more work. You can agree to only take long term posts or to teach day to day, but if you want as much experience and opportunity as possible you've got to be willing to take day to day work.” She also recommends signing up for as many agencies as possible to increase your chances of getting work.

Col's note: Education students unable to attend our Teaching Careers Fair on Monday 5th December can find details of teaching supply agencies active in Cumbria and Lancashire at www.delicious.com/skillzone/supply

Are you thinking about a career in teaching?

We are running two sessions for University of Cumbria undergraduates, principally those in their second and third years.

For information on entry routes and how to make a successful PGCE application, come along to:

Applying for a PGCE seminar

Wednesday 19th October 12.30-1.30 pm

Lecture Theatre 1

Brampton Road campus, Carlisle

GTTR applications workshop

Wednesday 2nd November 1-3 pm

Room 102, Learning Gateway

Fusehill Street campus , Carlisle

For information on the sessions or for advice on planning your next steps after graduation, email: careers@cumbria.ac.uk

Source: Joanne Watson