Trainees
St Mary’s University and its Partnership Schools can expect trainees to:
- Accept the placement provided by the university
- Make initial contact with the school and the LT
- Adopt a professional attitude to all aspects of the School Experience
- Familiarise and adhere to procedures
- Ensure regular and punctual attendance
- Conform to appropriate dress code
- Seek to play an active role in the wider aspects of school life
- Engage constructively in discussions with mentors regarding progress and feedback on their performance
- Attend Best Practice day (if applicable)
- Plan, prepare and teach identified groups of pupils as agreed
- Evaluate teaching, and with support make recommendations for future practice
- Evaluate pupil progress, and with support recognise impact for future planning and teaching
- Observe other teachers and reflect on their methodology
- Be proactive in seeking resources, using Moodle, school resources and other relevant materials and documentation
- With the aid of recommended reading, relate practice in the classroom to theories of teaching and learning
- Ensure Abyasa Profile is kept up to date
- Read ahead in the Training Plan and plan/organise in advance
- Be formally observed once a week (one observation must be in phonics)
- Reflect and complete the Weekly Training Record with your CBM/PCM/LT
- Self-evaluate and highlight the Progress Grid.
- Ensure T&L file is up to date
- Keep detailed records on Profile Children.
It is expected the Trainee will:
- Understand that the class teacher has a primary responsibility for his or her class
- Take the lead and not waiting to be told or directed is an important part of developing professionalism
- Seek support or help when/if required
- Behave in a professional manner at all times and ensure all parties are aware if an absence from school is required.
Class-Based Mentor (CBM)
The CBM has several important roles in fostering the development of the trainee The CBM has several important roles in fostering the development of the trainee and their wellbeing. Comprehensive training to support Mentors can be found on the Partnership Portal – ‘Primary Mentor Zone’.
Specific responsibilities include:
- Ensuring full knowledge of the Core Curriculum Framework for ITT students, and the University curriculum, and supporting the student to learn how to apply their learning in school.
- Modelling effective teaching and learning strategies and the discussion of these with the trainee (eg beginnings of lessons, managing transitions, plenaries, setting up of resources, taking the register)
- Using the online assessment system Abyasa to record and monitor progress
- Supporting the trainee in the completion of the training plan and teaching requirements
- Attend the Initial Training Meeting led by the Link Tutor
- Using the online assessment system Abyasa to record and monitor progress (this information will be detailed by the Link Tutor at the Initial Training Meeting, including accessibility)
- Attending weekly meetings with the trainee to discuss progress and planning
- Participate in writing comments in the Assessment/Progress Record
- Joint lesson observations with the LT during the practice
- Joint lesson observations with other school staff where appropriate
- Observing the trainee weekly (writing qualifying statements and setting targets)
- Being available when the trainee is taking the class in order to fulfil health and safety requirements
- Discussing targets for future success and development
- Feedback to trainee re lesson observation
- Supporting the impact of trainee on pupil progress
- Completing an evaluation of the School Experience for quality assurance purposes
- CBMs should be aware of the range of experience that adult learners bring to the classroom and acknowledge previous skills/expertise on the part of the trainee
- Providing opportunities for trainee to participate in whole school activities, e.g. attend meetings/parents evenings/INSETs/analysing data for pupil progress/assemblies.
Link Tutor (LT)
The primary role of a Link Tutor is to monitor and quality assure the support a trainee receives on School Experience. The LT is at all times available in a consultative and supportive role, and is the first point of reference for school personnel and trainees in the resolution of problems.
LT roles include:
- Act as an advisor, tutor and professional support for the Professional Coordinating Mentor (PCM), CBM and trainee
- Use the online assessment system Abyasa to record and monitor progress
- Run the Initial Training Meeting at the beginning of each placement
- Make two M&QA visits to ensure that the trainee has the necessary support to reach the required level for QTS
- Review the CBM’s observation of and feedback to the trainee, review progress and support target setting
- Support the trainee in developing his/her practice
- Liaise with school partners to ensure successful progress and resolve issues where apparent
- Participate in writing comments in the Assessment/Progress Record
- Support St Mary’s quality assurance programme through regular evaluation of partnership schools
- LTs are required to attend regular training sessions at the University
- Establish effective lines of communication between all partners and maintain regular contact with the school and trainee
- Engage in discussion with the CBM/PCM as often as possible regarding the trainee’s progress
- Complete at last one joint observation with another Link Tutor each year to inform practice and support quality assurance across the programme.
Professional Coordinating Mentor (PCM)
The PCM works closely with the CBM and LT. Specific responsibilities include:
- Ensuring that the trainee receives an appropriate induction programme
- Using the online assessment system Abyasa to record and monitor progress
- Co-ordinating access for the trainee to professional activities outside the classroom
- Collaborating with the LT in overseeing the monitoring and assessment of the trainee's target setting and training
- Supporting the CBM in their evaluations of the trainee and making a number of joint lesson observations with the LT/CBM
- Participate in writing comments in the Assessment/Progress Record
- Completing, in consultation with the trainee, and in collaboration with the LT and the CBM, the Assessment Profile (on Abyasa)
- Completing, in consultation with the CBM, an evaluation of the School experience
- Attending the Initial Training Meeting, if possible, led by the Link Tutor.