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TEACHER TRAINING

Train to Teach with Pilton Bluecoat Academy Teacher Training!

Recruiting now for 2022 - 2023

Pilton Bluecoat Academy in collaboration with the University Of Exeter offer a School Direct (fee-funded) programme. 

Please see below for further information and do not hesitate to contact us with any questions.

About the training provider

TEAM Multi-Academy Trust is a collection of North Devon schools, led by research and inspired by children. We collaborate with schools beyond our Trust to provide trainees with a range of school placements and experiences to best equip them for working in a variety of settings.

Our belief is that prospective teachers need the best possible start to their career, and this can only be achieved through world-class training. We employ specialists who are not only experts in their field, but also demonstrate how academic principles apply to the reality of the classroom on a daily basis. The vast majority of our training comes from active teachers or those with very recent experience, which we see as fundamental to learning how theory shapes effective practice.

The schools we work with range from tiny, 40-child village schools, to town schools with more than 400 children on roll. We work closely with all schools to ensure mentoring is both practical and inspiring. We love teaching and we want you to love it, too.

About the course

Trainees are based entirely in schools for the academic year. A programme of phase/subject specific training is designed and delivered by the lead school, and is linked to a Masters level programme provided by the university. This is comprised of two 30 credit modules delivered through the university’s electronic learning platform, and supported by seminars and/or tutorials. These modules are designed to develop understanding of core issues in education, and to support ability to engage with relevant research and link theory to practice. One day a week (or equivalent) is assigned to this distance study.

During the year, all trainees spend time in two schools, usually having one main ‘home’ school and a second ‘contrasting’ school. Lead schools decide the placement pattern, but the contrasting school experience will always last for a minimum of 6 weeks. One day a week (or equivalent) is assigned to distance study for the online Masters programme. Trainees follow the Exeter Model of initial teacher education.

Trainees are registered with the university and are eligible for training bursaries and student loans.

School placements

We partner with 10 primary schools in a variety of contexts, from 40-child village schools to 400-strong town schools. You will be placed in two schools with one main placement and a contrasting school experience with punctuates your training for a minimum 6 week period.

You will be assigned a Lead Mentor and a Reflective Mentor. These will be teachers within the school who will help guide your practice and support your assignments. They are skilled and experienced teachers who are able to navigate your formative days of teaching and help develop you into a confident practitioner.

Your teaching practice will be a combination of observation, co-teaching, small group work and whole class teaching. Over time and as you develop your skillset, you will increase your teaching time to gain more experience, while being supported by your mentoring team. If you experience difficulty, a Lead Mentor who works as part of TEAM is available to share any concerns or to gain an external perspective. A tutor from the University of Exeter will support your school practice through visits, and there will be online support for the Master’s level assignments.

Each week has one ‘M day’ which is off site and for Master’s study. There is an additional afternoon each week out of school for CPD, delivered at High Bickington Community Centre by current teachers and specialists.

Entry requirements

Qualifications needed

An undergraduate degree, or equivalent.

Grade 4 (C) or above in English, maths and science, or equivalent qualification.

We’ll consider candidates with pending GCSEs.

We’ll consider candidates who need to take a GCSE equivalency test in English, maths or science.

Fees and financial support

Advice from Get Into TeachingFinancial support from the government

You may be eligible for a loan while you study – note that you’ll have to apply for undergraduate student finance.

Find out about financial support if you’re from outside the UK.

The course fees for UK students in 2022 to 2023 are £9,250.

Financial support from the training provider

The University of Exeter is offering a £520 bursary to all UK students studying for a PGCE with us in 2022/23, whose household income is £25,000 or less. There is no separate application procedure for this bursary. Instead, the University of Exeter makes an assessment using the household income information provided by the student’s funding body (e.g. Student Finance England). Students must make sure that they and their sponsor(s) have given consent for details of their application to be shared with the University of Exeter. This consent to share is requested during the application for financial support, but can be given at any time throughout the year by contacting their student funding body.

Students who have not applied for financial support, or who have applied but chosen not to be means tested, are unable to be considered for this bursary until they do.

International students

We cannot sponsor visas. You’ll need to get the right visa or status to study in the UK.

You do not need a visa if you already have settled or pre-settled status under the EU Settlement Scheme, or if you’re an Irish citizen.

Candidates with qualifications from non-UK institutions may need to provide evidence of comparability by applying for a UK ENIC statement.

Training with disabilities and other needs

We are fully committed to working with all prospective teachers. Children and schools need diversity and we care deeply about supporting all trainees to realise an ambition of working in schools.

We have an excellent track record of supporting teachers with a range of disabilities, and welcome all conversations about how we can support you with bespoke plans to access any of our settings.

Contact this training provider

Email

dpolak@piltonbluecoat.devon.sch.uk

Telephone

+441271345952

Website

https://www.teamacademytrust.com/

Address

Pilton Bluecoat Academy
Abbey Road
Barnstaple
Devon
EX31 1JU

Support and advice

For support and advice, you can speak to a Get Into Teaching adviser for free. They’re all experienced teachers who can help you to prepare your application, book school experience, and access exclusive teaching events.

You can also call Get Into Teaching free of charge on 0800 389 2500, or speak to an adviser using their online chat service Monday to Friday, 8.30am to 5pm (except public holidays).

Find out about the different ways to train if you do not have a degree, or are already an experienced teacher.

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