What is changing?
In 2024-25 we will be operating a two stage Professional Practice model
Placement 1 : Introductory Phase
- Will run for 10 weeks in the Autumn term.
- Will encompass the introductory phase.
- Will be 5 days per week.
- Will include one ITaP which focuses on a specific pivotal aspect of practice, to be supported by university and school.
Placement 2 : Developmental / Consolidation phases
- Will run from w/b 6th January 2025 and finish w/b 16th June (17 weeks).
- Will encompass the developmental and consolidation phase.
- Will encompass two ITaPs which focus on pivotal aspects of teaching (e.g. Questioning).
- Will include two weeks during which trainees will return to campus (w/b 10th and 13th March 2025).
Why are we changing?
- Feedback from mentors and trainees has shown a preference for a 2 stage approach to professional practice.
- We need to ensure that mentors and colleagues have time to engage with the mentoring requirements set by the DfE. Making the placements longer means that there is more time for mentors to engage in their training and for colleagues to support them.
- To support the workload of trainees, mentors, and colleagues.
- Trainees will have increased opportunity to make sustained progress, to teach over a sustained period of time, and to incrementally build up to teaching the required 80% for at least 6 weeks which is set by the DfE.
- Intensive Training and Practice (ITaPs) will be statutory and consist of 20 days over the PGCE course. The two stage professional practice model will support the development of trainees in the ITaP focus areas.
- It will enable trainees to see what life is like in a school over a longer period of time and thus better prepare them for their future teaching roles and support retention.
Next Steps
- Placement requests have been sent to all professional mentors within schools.
- We are running briefings on the changes for mentoring in 2024-25, to provide information for schools.
- Information has been sent to all ITE leads about their mentor allocations for next year. If you are mentor, please liaise with the ITE lead in your setting if you feel you can support a trainee next year.
- If you have any queries about placement arrangements for next year you can contact:
EHU Partnership Development Team: [email protected]