Post on 28-Mar-2015
Becoming a Professional Teacher
School of Education
Why Teach?
• It’s fun
• It’s exciting
• It’s warm
• It’s varied
• It’s sociable
• It’s everywhere
• It makes a difference
Teaching as a career
• Good conditions of employment
• Well defined career structure
• Positive opportunities for professional development
• Good opportunities for personal development
• Constant challenge and change
Some facts and figures
• Secondary schools• Secondary pupils• Secondary teachers
• Primary schools• Primary pupils• Primary teachers
• 387• 316,368• 24,552
• 2,271• 420,523• 22,289
New blood each year
The number of ‘new’ teachers entering the profession at the beginning of the academic session 2003-4 was approximately 2200.
Secondary teaching subjects
• Biology
• Business education
• Chemistry
• Drama
• Economics
• History
• Home economics
• Modern studies
• Computing
• English
• Gaelic
• Geography
• Mathematics
• Modern languages
• Physics
• Religious education
• Technological education
Annual SalaryFor probationary teachers
2004 £185222005 £190592006 £194402007 £19878
Salary scales
• Currently more than 50% of secondary teachers are in promoted posts and so are earning substantially more than the basic scale.
How to apply
• You must have a University Degree or equivalent• For Secondary teaching you must have the
equivalent of Higher English• In your degree you must have studied the subject
you wish to teach to a certain depth. This is specified in the ‘Memorandum’
• You must apply through GTTR www.gttr.ac.uk• You must satisfy a selection panel
Selection criteria
• Enthusiasm
• Personality and confidence
• Interest in teaching
• Interest in young people
• Ability to articulate ideas clearly and concisely
The Programme Two Components
•Learning and Teaching in Secondary
Schools ( LTSS)
•Teaching ( Subject ) in Secondary Schools
Teaching ( Subject ) in Secondary Schools
This focuses on the subject specialism of each student.
These two components are delivered in School of Education
Learning and Teaching in Secondary Schools ( LTSS)
This addresses professional issues which are common to all students.
(Some choice is offered through a menu of “Specialist Professional Topics”)
School Experience
• 18 of the 36 weeks are spent in schools – this is the same for the Secondary and Primary Programmes
• 2/3 different schools in blocks of approximately 6 weeks each.
• Students are supported through the Teacher Regent Scheme.
Professional Induction
Learning and Teaching in Secondary Schools• child development• curriculum• assessment principles and practice• classroom management• learning theories• Child development• equal opportunities
and…• Guidance
• Personal & social development
• Special educational needs
• Dealing with sensitive issues
• Protection of children from abuse
• Bullying
Professional Induction
Teaching (subject) in Secondary Schools
• What is chemistry?
• Why teach chemistry?
• Why study chemistry?
• Introduction to Standard Grade Chemistry.
• Practical techniques in chemistry.
• A critical approach to practical work.
Teaching And Learning
• Microteaching.• Problem solving in
chemistry.• Teaching for
understanding - concept mapping.
• Language in chemistry
• Resources for chemistry teachers.
• ‘H’ Grade Chemistry• Chemistry in a
multicultural context.
• Constructivism in chemistry.
Professional Practice
• Self-evaluation
• Critical reflection
• Autonomous/independent learning
• Commitment
Probation and Induction
• There is a new Teacher Induction Scheme which is designed to give teachers the best possible start to their career. An offer of a one-year training post in a Scottish school will be made to all students who successfully complete their Initial Teacher Education with a salary of £18,522 for the ten months in post.
The PGDE(P) Programme
• Learning and Teaching in Primary Schools (LTPS) covers the underpinning theory, knowledge and understanding in primary curriculum subjects
• Four blocks of teaching experience, including all stages from nursery to P7
How To Apply – PGDE(P)
• As well as your degree, you must have the equivalent of Higher English and at least Standard Grade Maths at Credit Level
• A broad range of subjects, appropriate to the Primary School curriculum, is also recommended – Science, Social Subjects, Expressive Arts, RME, Technology, Modern Languages
How To Apply – PGDE(P)
• You should apply through GTTR• You require a reference from someone who
knows about your work with children• You should include relevant information in
your personal statement – sell yourself!• You will be interviewed and will be ranked
according to your performance, experience and qualifications
What to do to prepare
• Get some experience of working with children in an educational context
• Read up about educational issues
• Research what is happening in your subject area www.sqa.org
• Apply in plenty of time
PGDE(P)
• There are 108 students on the course this session
• Almost 200 people were interviewed, based on the information contained in their GGTR form
• More than double that number applied