Become a Graduate
Teaching Assistant
Thursday 8th May
Friday 9th May
Introduction to the team
• Alex Hopkins, Associate Dean, OVC
• Julie Hughes, Head of Dept. PCE, FEHW
• Rob Smith, Partnership Director PCE & Research
Fellow, CRADLE, FEHW
• Matt O’Leary, Partnership Director PCE &
Research Fellow, CRADLE, FEHW
Overview of this session
•
•
•
•
University of Opportunity strategy
Traditional role of GTAs in HE
Role of UoW GTAs
Overview of GTA programme years 1 & 2 inc.
qualification and further professional learning
• Application process – personal statement *
• Selection and interview process
• Questions
University of Opportunity I
• Our vision is to promote social mobility and
improve individual life chances within the
communities we operate.
• We aim to raise the aspirations, attainment, the
quality of schools and the level of progression
to higher education and graduate employment.
Right across the region.
University of Opportunity II
• Ours is a University that can find the talent and
ability within any individual. One that will
transform that talent into opportunity.
• The University proposes to launch a new
academic role, its own Graduate Teaching
Assistant scheme, to support its strategy.
Brief intro to GTA role in the HE sector
Whilst not a new phenomenon, Graduate
Teaching Assistants are more commonly
associated with HE in the United States.
They have become part of faculty establishments
in several HEIs in the UK, usually the research
intensive universities, but lately becoming
apparent in the post-1992 group.
GTAs at UoW – workforce
development
HE workforce future sustainability principles
include flexibility, adaptability, agility, equality
and diversity HEFCE (2010).
The GTA role could result in developing a more
diverse and flexible workforce, where the post
holders could be deployed to the areas of
greatest need.
What will GTAs do?
Assist academic staff and students with learning
and teaching activities, performing defined tasks
under the supervision of mentors. Examples of
defined tasks could include:
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
Facilitating seminars and drop in sessions;
Contributing to small and large group teaching;
Tutorial support;
Demonstrations during practical sessions*;
Technical support during project work*;
Field trips where appropriate;
Providing assignment guidance, including maths and
English.
GTA programme – Year 1
• Sept 1st 2014, University and Faulty Induction
• Sept 15th PGCE (M) Induction (3 days per week
for 3 weeks
• Monday 6th Oct – WELCOME WEEK – 3 days in
Faculty and 2 days PGCE (M)
• Block placement mid Jan-Feb 2015
• Feb – April - 3 days in Faculty and 2 days PGCE
(M)
• May – Sept – Faculty and cross-University roles
GTA programme – PGCE (M)
• Recognised teaching qualification for postcompulsory sector;
• 60 credits at level 6 and 60 credits at level 7;
• 150 hours teaching and 8 assessed lesson obs;
• Academic assignments;
• Lots of group work in small mixed groups;
• Lots of support from personal tutors, teaching
and subject mentors.
GTA programme – Year 2
• Faculty-based focussed on faculty identified
issues;
• Acting as a mentor to incoming GTA cohort
2015-6;
• Undertake a placement in a partner school,
academy or college;
• Have the opportunity to undertake further
academic study.
Attributes and skills we are looking for
• proven and effective presentation and
communication skills, both written and verbal;
• a good understanding of the UK higher
education system;
• committed to and have the ability to acquire
knowledge and understanding about teaching,
learning and assessing quality standards and
procedures, including the requirements of the
QAA and relevant PSRBs;
Attributes and skills
• The ability to take responsibility for their own
work;
• effective organisational skills, good time
management, ability to prioritise tasks and
attention to detail.
• An understanding and awareness of the issues
involved in working with a diverse range of
staff and students with varying needs is
essential.
• The post holder should have the ability to work
with a virtual learning environment, including
the use of e-learning technology.
• The ability to work as part of a team is also
essential.
How to apply – by 23rd May
• Via the University website – work here (top
right homepage) and search job vacancies;
• Register and apply online, you can log in
multiple times and view in PDF format at any
time;
• Think about your personal statement linked to
the job description and essential and desirable
criteria;
• Think about why you want to teach and why
here?
Convince us to select you for interview
• Highly competitive;
• Short listing and selection will take place with
HR/Faculty and programme team in early June;
• Interviews will take place in mid-June with a
Faculty and programme panel;
• You will be expected to deliver a micro-teach
activity and written task.
Questions?