School of Education and Continuing Studies (SECS)
Return to teaching Course
The course will run from 25th February until 5th April 2011. Teaching at the University takes place from 9.30am – 4.00pm. In addition, you will spend at least 10 days in a school.
Who is the course for?
You must be a qualified secondary teacher in the UK who has not taught regularly in the last 12 months. It is the ideal course for people who have taken a career break from teaching but now wish to return to the classroom again. Visit the Training Development Agency (TDA) website to answer any further questions that you may have.
How will the course help me?
The course will enable you to familiarise yourself with recent developments in education; update subject knowledge; discuss current good practice in teaching and provide you with an opportunity to teach in the classroom again, with the support of an experienced school-based mentor. The course will give you the confidence to re-enter the teaching profession and will provide advice and guidance on the application and interview procedure.
Who runs the course?
The University of Portsmouth in association with the TDA. You will also work in partnership with a local school.
What will the course involve?
There are 20 taught/tutored days at the university. These will focus on issues such as the National Strategy, planning for learning, classroom and behaviour management, Every Child Matters, working with children with EAL, inclusion and SEN and assessment for learning. These sessions will be run by university tutors, a range of LEA advisors and teachers currently in the profession. You will also spend at least 10 days in a school working in your specialist subject area, supported by a mentor. This will include classroom teaching and observations, which will lead to the completion of a reflective journal.
How long is each tutored day?
You will be required to attend the tutored days, which will generally be held between 9.30am and 4pm.
What hours will I work on the school placement days?
You will be required to attend at least 10 complete school days; actual times will be given when the school is determined. This will however, usually be between 8.00am and 4.30pm approximately. There is some flexibility about when these days can take place. This can be discussed with the Course Leader.
What will I learn?
The course will be taught in an interactive way with discussion groups, individual tutorials and some individual curriculum study culminating in a presentation to the rest of the cohort. Taught sessions include (in addition to those already mentioned) Workforce Agreement, Working with Gifted and Talented pupils, High Impact Teaching, PSHE and Citizenship and the context of Education in the 21st Century. These sessions are designed to prepare you to confidently return to the classroom when the course has finished.
What will I receive at the end of the course?
The University will provide you with proof of completion of the course, which you can show to a future employer.
Are any phases of education or subjects given priority?
This is a SECONDARY TEACHING returners course only.
What must I do now?
You MUST obtain a Reference Number from the Training and Development Agency for Schools (TDA – formerly TTA) 'Teaching Information Line': Tel 08456 000 993 – you will not be allowed to commence the course without one.
How much does it cost?You do not pay to attend the course, however a refundable deposit of £50 per person is payable to register for the place. Cheques are to be made payable to The University of Portsmouth. This deposit is only returned on full completion of the course. A 'no refund' policy, to cover administrative costs, operates once the deposit has been paid - except if the course has to be cancelled by the University of Portsmouth due to unforeseen circumstances.
Will I be paid to attend the course?
Yes. You will receive a Training Bursary of £150 per week (no tax deducted).
You need to complete an application form and return it to us with your £50 deposit. Forms are available below or by contacting us directly (please see contact details at the bottom of this page).
How many places are there on the course?
There are a maximum of 22 places available. This course is very popular so early application is advised. In the event of over subscription a selection process will take place and those qualified to teach in the shortage subject areas will be given priority.
We are confident this course will provide you with all the relevant information you need to help you to re-enter the teaching profession.
As you already know, there is no other profession quite like teaching for offering you such diversity, the opportunities to use so many different skills, an excellent career structure with increasing pay, solid support and all the other rewards of helping children learn. We look forward to receiving your application.
The University of Portsmouth School of Education and Continuing Studies St George's Building 141 High Street Portsmouth PO1 2HY E-mail: secs.enquiries@port.ac.uk Tel: 023 9284 5204 Fax: 023 9284 5365