What will the school placement be like?
Your school placement will be a key part of your teacher training, giving you the chance to gain hands-on experience and develop your teaching skills over three years. As you will be in school significantly more than through a traditional university route it is vital that we provide you with supportive placements. Here’s a summary of what it will be like:
Location and Travel
- You will be placed in a high-quality school relatively close to where you live.
- Many students travel around 30-40 minutes to their placement, though it could be longer depending on the best schools available to you or if you’re using public transport. Travel time can be up to an hour but we try to avoid this.
- Even if you live a significant distance away from Haybridge, we will find you a high quality placement near your home.
Structure of the Placement
- You will spend two days a week in school during the academic year. This will allow you to gradually build your skills and understanding of the school environment.
- In addition to the weekly placements, you’ll also have an extended block placement where you attend school every day for a set period. This will give you the chance to immerse yourself more fully in the daily routines and teaching responsibilities of the school.
Variety of Placements
- Over the course of the three years, you’ll be placed in a variety of schools, from small village schools to larger urban schools. This will provide a broad view of different teaching environments, helping you decide what type of school you’d prefer to work in once you’re qualified.
Teaching Experience
- Initially, you will observe and support teachers, but as you become more confident, you’ll begin working with small groups of students.
- Gradually, you’ll take on whole-class teaching responsibilities. This progression will be personalised, meaning that while some students might start teaching early on, others may take more time to build up to it.
Support and Mentorship
- Throughout your placement, you’ll be supported by a school mentor who will guide you, offer advice, and provide constructive feedback.
- Your mentor will also conduct lesson observations and write reports on your progress. This is part of the process to ensure you meet the Teachers’ Standards by the end of the three years.
Assessment and Qualification
- As part of your teacher training, your progress will be assessed against our focus areas such as professionalism through observations and reports.
- At the end of the three years, a final summative judgment will be made regarding your readiness for Qualified Teacher Status (QTS).
- If you’re struggling to meet the requirements, additional support will be available to help you get back on track.
Overall, your school placements will be a balanced mix of gradual responsibility, varied experiences, and ongoing support, all designed to help you become a confident and capable teacher.
