'My external tutor was extremely helpful and knowledgeable. He was very supportive and approachable - Really, I owe much of my success already to him.'

'Excellent. Much constructive feedback given.'

'Very supportive during visits with lots of feedback from observed lesson. I was given ways to improve, not just what should be improved.'

 

GTP offers you:

·                  Training on the job

·                  A salary while you train (minimum £15,817)

·                  A professional studies programme

·                  Personal tutor support 

·                  Recognition of your previous experience 

·                  The opportunity to be part of a staff team 

·                  A good understanding of, and preparation for, the teaching profession 

Prerequisites:

·                  A full UK honours degree (or equivalent)

·                  GCSE grade C in English & Maths (or equivalent)

·                  GCSE grade C in Science (or equivalent) primary only

(Please check with us before you undertake any equivalency tests to ensure these meet the TDA requirements.)

                    

Application Process:

Ÿ                Search for a host school that will be able to support you through your training. We work with all Essex LA schools as well as those from surrounding Authorities.

               Once you have found an employing school you can then apply for a place on the GTP.

Ÿ             Your host school will need to provide you with a confirmation letter on headed notepaper verifying that they agree to host your placement.

Ÿ             Applications for the GTP must be made electronically through the TDA website GTP Portal, you will need to upload the confirmation letter from your school.

               We are listed as Essex Schools ITT Partnership.                                                              

Ÿ             Your host school will then need to request an application from us by December. (Packs are issued directly to schools)                    

Ÿ             The closing date for the receipt of applications is the 20th January 2012.                     

Ÿ             The GTP Selection Panel will meet to allocate places at the end of January, outcomes will be notified at the end of February.

·                 There is currently one intake onto the GTP for both primary and secondary trainees in September.

·                 The ITT Centre writes to all schools in September about application deadlines. The closing date for receipt of applications is the 20th January 2012.

·                 Schools are required by the TDA to have conducted either group or individual interviews with all candidates and assessed their spoken and written English before applying for a GTP place.

 

Gives you:

·                An individual training plan which recognises your skills and previous experiences

·                  Regular support from a school based mentor

·                  Two visits a term from your personal external tutor

·                  Induction before you start

·                  A professional studies programme which includes training days on National Curriculum subjects, behaviour management, inclusion, assessment.

·                  Opportunities to meet regularly with other trainees

·                  Access to a lending library of resources

·                  Opportunities to observe and work alongside experienced teachers, gradually taking more responsibility for group and class teaching

·                  An assurance that, as you increase your teaching commitment, you will not teach for more than 80% in any week

·                  Teaching experience in two consecutive key stages

·                  Teaching experience in two schools

·                  A GTP Handbook which details all course requirements (on-line resource)

 

All trainees must demonstrate that they have met the Standards for Qualifying to Teach (QTS) by the end of the programme.

Trainees on the Essex GTP do this by:

·                  Building up a portfolio of evidence.

·                  Demonstrating progress in class teaching during regular mentor and external tutor classroom observations.

·                  Completing three written assignments (2500 words each)

·                  Completing a brief termly self review and short reflective logs

·                  Contributing to a termly assessment report by the school

·                  Passing the TDA skills tests in literacy, numeracy and ICT

                    

                    

All trainees are employed by their host school and paid on the unqualified teacher pay scale which will be at least £15,817.

·                     Schools receive either a salary and training grant or a training grant only for their trainee.

·                     All trainees on a salary and training grant are supernumerary.

·                     Trainees on a training grant only, may have some class responsibility, but must not teach for more than 80% in any week.

Salary and Training grant

·                     The school receives £13,500 salary grant towards employment costs.

·                     The salary grant will not cover all employment costs.

·                     The school receives £840 for the Training Grant. 

·                     Essex GTP retains £3,250 for administration, the initial needs assessment visit and six subsequent external tutor half day visits, the Professional Studies programme and final assessment for QTS.

Training grant only

o                   The school receives £840 for the Training Grant

o                     The training grant must only be used to cover costs directly related to preparing trainees for QTS.

o                     Trainees must be paid in accordance with Teachers' Pay & Conditions.

o                     The employer can choose to pay the qualified or unqualified rate but all trainees must be paid at least on the minimum of the unqualified scale.

o                     The employer is responsible for sick pay, maternity or paternity pay.

o                      If a trainee withdraws any unspent grant must be returned to the TDA.

Self funded

§                       The school pays Essex GTP £4710 for training.

§                       Trainees must be paid in accordance with Teachers' Pay & Conditions.

§                       The employer can choose to pay the qualified or unqualified rate but all trainees must be paid at least on the minimum of the unqualified scale.

§                       The employer is responsible for sick pay, maternity or paternity pay.

§                       If a trainee withdraws any unspent grant will be retained by the provider.

 

The active promotion of equal opportunities and race equality is a central consideration of this training course.  The Essex Graduate, Registered Teachers and Overseas Trained Teacher Programme is committed to promoting race equality and equality of opportunity for all in order to eliminate unlawful discrimination and to value and celebrate the diversity of its staff and trainees.  The staff team and partner schools are fully committed to implementing Essex LA's equal opportunity race equality policy in our recruitment, training and assessment procedures.

The course aims to train teachers who will be committed to the following aims:

§               to recognise all pupils' entitlement to a broad and balanced curriculum

§               to meet the needs of all groups of pupils and have high expectations of what they can achieve

§               to prepare pupils for citizenship in a multicultural, multifaith and multilingual society

§               to prepare pupils to value the abilities of all

§               to promote good relations between people of different racial groups

§               to eliminate unlawful racial discrimination.

In meeting these aims trainees will help to develop a curriculum that:

§                acknowledges, respects and celebrates diversity

§                promotes non-discriminatory behaviour and attitudes and mutual respect between pupils

§                promotes inclusive education

§                challenges racism, sexism, bullying and all forms of prejudice where they occur within the school context

§                creates a safe and positive learning environment for all pupil's that is free from ridicule and fear.

The course will demonstrate its commitment to this policy through:

§                 course publicity

§                 recruitment, selection and training procedures for trainees and staff

§                 trainee support and guidance

§                 the core training programme

§                 staff training to tackle racial discrimination and harassment

§                 consultation with staff and trainees on the impact of the DRB's race equality and equal opportunities policy.

§                 monitoring the success of the policy termly by the DRB Steering Group including the reporting of any incidents.

 

It is the right of all trainees to receive the best training that the DRB can provide.  The DRB will not tolerate any form of racial harassment which includes racist name calling, racist caricature based on prejudice, the stirring of racial hatred and use of racist materials.  Trainees are asked to report incidents where there is suspicion of racisim. 

The course has adopted the definition of a racist incident as recommended in the Stephen Lawrence enquiry ie) "Any incident which is perceived to be racist by the victim or any other person".  Should a racist incident occur the Course Manager will act immediately as follows:

§                  co-ordinate appropriate action

§                  report, log and investigate the incident in line with LA procedures

This course recognises that it has an important part to play in helping to create a fair and just society.  It is the responsibility of every member of staff and every trainee to support this Equality of Opportunity/Race Equality Policy.