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University to train outstanding teachers of the future

Teach First

Press release issued: 10 July 2013

Nearly 40 new trainee teachers will be placed in the South West to become outstanding teachers of the future, thanks to Bath Spa University, the University of Bristol and education charity Teach First.

Nearly 40 new trainee teachers will be placed in the South West to become outstanding teachers of the future, thanks to Bath Spa University, the University of Bristol and education charity Teach First.

The new recruits will teach in low-income areas in Bristol, Gloucester and Swindon, helping to break the link between poverty and low academic attainment. University of Bristol will lead on educating secondary teachers and Bath Spa on primary teachers.

The prospective teachers have just begun their two-year journey to becoming outstanding teachers and are currently at the regional summer institute, an intensive six-week residential where they will work and live with their fellow Teach First participants. They will develop their knowledge gained in their degree so that they can transfer this into teaching, and learn how to prepare and implement lesson plans in their chosen subject. In September, the recruits will then be placed in schools across the South West region where they will begin their employment-based training.

At the end of their first year’s training, the trainees will gain their PGCE qualification. Following a summer project to further develop their leadership skills and experience, they will begin their second year as a Newly Qualified Teacher (NQT) whilst simultaneously studying towards a Masters qualification. This is specifically designed to develop their ability to be an effective leader in school and demonstrate their skills and knowledge as outstanding teachers.

Teach First is a charity that works to ensure that all children, regardless of their family income, receive a first class education. The charity partners with some of the country’s leading universities to train inspirational primary and secondary school teachers, including Bath Spa University and the University of Bristol. They recruit, train and support graduates as teachers to work in schools in low income communities.

Professor Robert Barratt, Director of Education in the School of Education at Bath Spa University, commented: “Bath Spa University is delighted to be working with Teach First and the University of Bristol Graduate School on this prestigious route into teaching.

“We offer one of the most sought after teacher training courses in the country and are looking forward to helping train these new participants to become outstanding teachers of the future, who will be doing such important work in areas of poverty and poor achievement.”

Professor Tim Bond, Head of the Graduate School of Education at the University of Bristol, added: “This programme brings together three outstanding providers of initial teacher education, to create a programme with global relevance, and a strong impact locally.”

Reuben Moore, Teach First Acting Director of Leadership, said: “All our providers share Teach First’s passion and purpose to address educational disadvantage. This partnership will deepen our relationship with schools; serve the needs of our pupils and allow schools to contribute to and inform our training.

“We believe that by having an increased accountability for the training of our teachers we can make an even greater impact for the pupils and schools we work with. We will be continuing to work in close collaboration with education professionals who are already delivering great work in schools to end educational disadvantage.”

More information about Teach First can be found at the Teach First website.

 

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