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