Routes into teaching

Supporting teacher training and development

Are you interested in training to become a qualified secondary school teacher with PGCE status?

Are you a university graduate?

Are you in the final year of your degree?

Are you thinking of a career change into teaching?

The Bitterne Park Teacher Training Alliance is a growing partnership comprising a diverse range of secondary schools across Hampshire and Wiltshire which present dynamic and exciting training possibilities for those wishing to pursue a career in teaching.

Our training programme is delivered in partnership with the University of Winchester and combines the best elements of a traditional university-led PGCE training model with the benefits of a school-centred approach. Whether you are a recent graduate or are considering a career change, our teacher training programme will equip you with the skills to teach your subject confidently and successfully. As a trainee teacher on our programme, you will have the opportunity to fully immerse yourself in school life and will be treated like any other member of the teaching staff. This approach will allow you to experience all aspects of the role of a teacher, both inside and outside the classroom. The practical nature of our course, combined with the opportunity to work alongside and learn from experienced, outstanding practitioners, constantly reinforces the link between theory and practice.

Our partner university has a long-established record of excellent initial teacher training, and successful completion of the course will lead to a Postgraduate Certificate in Education (PGCE) with Qualified Teacher Status (QTS). The programme also contributes towards a Master’s level qualification.

For more information on training to teach with us or to gain some classroom experience, please contact Victoria Holland, BPTTA Administrator, on 02380 294133 or email alliance.office@bitterneparkschool.org.uk.

The Initial Teacher Education department at the University of Southampton is a dynamic and thriving community of professional educators and researchers. Southampton Education School is in the top 100 global Universities with 92% of the University’s research ranked world leading.

The course leaders work in close partnership with Southampton schools and colleges (as well as schools/colleges in our wider partnership area) to develop trainees’ subject and pedagogical knowledge through a variety of engaging approaches, including interactive teaching, group discussions, micro-teaching and independent and collaborative exploration. This close working relationship with Southampton schools and colleges ensures that our trainees are trained in the City, by mentors and tutors who work in the City, so trainees are fully prepared for their ECT year.

Our courses will equip trainees with the necessary skills and knowledge to teach the appropriate phase and/or curriculum area. The courses are designed to create teachers who have a clear and well-founded philosophy towards their area of expertise and who know how to teach successfully. We aim for reflective and dynamic practitioners who are willing to use a variety of teaching strategies to inspire all students. Trainees gain a clear understanding of the problems students encounter and are prepared to find ways to overcome these difficulties and help them to make progress. We utilise the wide range of teaching resources currently available to create fully reflective practitioners who really impact on student learning.

Why come to the University of Southampton for our Initial Teacher Education

1. Our tutors: In every forum the dedication and commitment of our tutors is praised. Trainees rate them extremely highly; External Examiners praise the time and effort that tutors devote to Ttrainees and Ofsted recognises the ‘high quality mentoring and support’ offered
2. Our quality of teaching and our diverse partnerships and placements: Our tutors are all teachers. We thrive through continuous professional development – and very much enjoy implementing new research or theories in partnership with trainee teachers and the schools with whom we work. Our partner schools and colleges are key to our success, and the mentors working with us are experienced, dedicated and enthusiastic
3. Our commitment to health and wellbeing: The health and wellbeing of our trainee teachers and the students they teach is central to producing outstanding teachers and happy students, who can make progress and succeed
4. Our scope to personalise and individualise trainee learning on programme: Every trainee teacher is unique, and we want each and every trainee to be the very best teacher that they can be. We achieve this by personalising our programmes to suit trainee needs
5. Our commitment to ‘Trainee Voice’: We actively encourage trainees to work with us to make our courses even better
6. Employability: Almost 100% of our Trainee Teachers get jobs

For more information about opportunities to train to teach with us at The University of Southampton email us at ITTAdmissions@soton.ac.uk or telephone us on 023 8059 3473.

Alternatively, visit the Southampton University website.