The course runs for 37 weeks from September – July. During this time, trainees will spend the majority of their time (around 20 weeks) in their Main School. Approximately 10 weeks will be spent at the First School, and a total of 6 weeks will be spent at the Bournemouth Learning Centre in Ensbury Park. The Programme Calendar can be viewed in the documents section, and it is likely that the Calendar for next year will follow a similar pattern.

The BLC weeks are divided between Professional Studies (PS) and Subject Pedagogy (SP). Each of these courses of study is supported with appropriate handbooks and documentation. The PS Programme considers themes which apply across all subjects, such as assessment, SEN and Inclusion, pastoral work, PSHE and behaviour management. The SP programme focuses on specific issues relating to the teaching of the subject in school.

The teaching programme in school is based on 2 placements. In the Autumn Term in the First School, this commences with lesson observations and builds gradually to a maximum of a 50% teaching commitment by Christmas. Trainees spend the Spring and Summer Terms in their second (main) school, which will provide a contrast to their First School. During this phase the teaching commitment will be around 60%. During the final term trainees will teach a maximum of around 70% of a timetable.

Assessment for the award of QTS is based on progress towards the Standards. Formal assessment takes place at 3 points throughout the year and consists of observation of the trainee and scrutiny of the trainee’s personal development portfolio (PDP) which records the trainee’s progress towards reaching the Standards. Grading takes the form of Pass/Fail.

Assessment for the award of PGCE from the University of Bath requires, in addition to the QTS assessment, trainees to complete two assignments of 5,000 words. One of these is subject-based. The other is a more general Educational Study. Assignments are assessed by Lead Subject Tutors and Professional Tutors and are moderated by University of Bath consultants.

Trainees are provided with an assessment calendar at the start of the course, which gives details of all dates and deadlines.

Professional Development And Support

Trainees are supported by their Subject Tutor in their school, and by their Professional Tutor. The Subject Tutor has responsibility for:

• Support of trainees when based at school
• Supervision of the arrangements for obtaining practical experience of all types within the school
• Joint observations with other staff of trainees on teaching practice
• Formative assessment of trainees’ practical work and portfolio
• Participation in the summative assessment of trainees with other SCITT staff
• Holding a weekly mentor meeting with each trainee to discuss progress and set targets through action planning

Each subject also has a Lead Subject Tutor who, in addition to supporting Subject Tutors in their work, is responsible for the delivery of the BLC-based Subject Pedagogy, and for the assessment of trainees including PGCE level assignments.

Within each school there is also a Professional Tutor who is a senior member of staff, often a Deputy or Assistant Head, who is responsible for supporting all trainees within the school. The Professional Tutor is at the heart of the SCITT network. Their responsibilities include:

• Monitoring and Quality Assurance of the SCITT programme in the school
• Assessment, including the Educational Study
• Communication
• Development and delivery of the PS programme in school

Further support is provided by the Programme Manager/Course Leader who is based at the Bournemouth Learning Centre (BLC). Trainees have access to other high-quality subject-specific and more general training opportunities through the input of the Dorset Teacher Education Partnership, and the various subject network meetings which take place at the BLC.

The Trainee Forum is a formal part of the Management structure of the SCITT and provides an opportunity for trainees to raise issues of concern with the Programme Manager and representatives of the LST and PTs.