Aldington Primary School
Graduate Teacher Programme - ITT policy
Last reviewed Spring 2011
Aims
We aim to provide training and support for Graduate Teachers, in collaboration with
Canterbury Christ Church University, in order to prepare them to teach subjects across the
whole curriculum. As a whole staff, we strive to encourage a high standard of professional
values and practice reflecting our school Mission Statement.
Timetable of the Programme
Trainees will be investigating their past experience, subject knowledge and understanding
of what the standards in ‘Qualifying to teach’ will mean in practice. The trainee will begin
by carrying out observations of teachers throughout the school, making relevant notes
and developing their Individual Training Plan. After this time they will identify, with the EBT,
a base class for their training. They will initially work with small groups, eventually building
up to whole class lessons (from 20% to a maximum of 30% by the end of Term Two). In
Terms Three and Four the trainee will aim towards teaching the whole class up to a
maximum of 60%. In the Terms Five and Six they will be teaching the whole class for a
maximum of 80%.
The Role of the EBT
At the beginning of the yearly programme the EBT will meet with the Graduate Teacher to
carry out a Needs Analysis to inform the Individual Training Plan. They will attend a Needs
Assessment meeting with the EBT and Christ Church University Tutor to discuss this plan.
A timetable of training for the year will be set up by the EBT in collaboration with the
Headteacher. This will include the provision of release time for the trainee to include
attendance at the Taught Days set out by the University, the time to be spent in the
second key stage and the timing (and selection) of the school for the second school
placement.
During the programme the EBT will meet with the trainee on a weekly basis to read and
discuss ITP entries, to view progress of the evidence file, to identify target areas for the
trainee to focus upon and to maintain the overview of the ITP, adding comments on
progress and evidence; signing each week. They will carry out regular lesson observations,
as specified by the University, and provide feedback referring to strengths and areas
needing focus. This will take the form of a ‘professional dialogue’ and include reflection on
observations carried out by the EBT and other staff. The EBT will work collaboratively with
the base class teacher to identify next steps in training.
At the end of each season, the EBT will set up a meeting to review progress and to
complete the seasonal review forms.
The EBT will arrange experience for the trainee in their alternative Key Stage and Second
School Placement.
The Role of Base Class Teacher
The base class teacher will work alongside the EBT in identifying next steps in training. They
will carry out informal lesson observations and provide support for the trainee. They will
provide the trainee with information about Schemes of Work in order to allow them to plan
and teach appropriate lessons. They will check lesson planning prior to each traineetaught lesson and provide guidance, for example assessment and monitoring
opportunities in the lesson and how policies are implemented. Where appropriate, they
will teach alongside trainees to give guidance on teaching and class management.
The Role of the Graduate Teacher
From the start of their employment by the school, the trainee will be involved in all areas of
school life. They will attend staff meetings, planning meetings and INSET days and
generally conduct themselves in a professional manner as they take greater responsibility
for their professional development as a teacher.
The trainee will be required to meet with the EBT to carry out the Needs Analysis and
establish an Individual Training Plan. In addition, they will attend weekly and seasonal
review meetings with the EBT in which they will make available their teaching and
planning file, portfolio of evidence and the ITP.
They will maintain a Teaching File containing clear medium-term planning and detailed
lesson plans. They will evaluate all lessons taught, using guidance given by the class
teacher/EBT. During the year they will collect evidence for the standards and carry out
tasks and activities designed to provide learning experience and opportunity to gain
evidence for the standards. They will attend all University Taught Days and undertake the
QTS skills tests.
When given teaching responsibility trainees will ensure that lesson plans are presented to
the class teacher on the day prior to the lesson and will be responsible for preparation of
resources. During non-teaching time they will be available to support the class teacher in
the delivery of lessons, apart from during release time and carry out duties as specified by
the Head teacher in accordance with their contract and agreed with the trainee as part
of their training plan.
Agreed by staff and Governors on: _________________________________________
Signed by Headteacher: ________________________________________________ on behalf of
staff and Governors.