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Introduction The course in Science introduces Associate Teachers to the theory and practice of science teaching over the 11-16 age range in a variety of secondary schools and offers opportunities to enhance experience with some post-16 teaching. All Science trainees must specialise in at least one of Biology, Chemistry and Physics. Our training is designed to enable you to teach the three subjects to KS 3, at least 2 subjects to KS 4 with opportunity to teach your specialism at Post 16. We encourage you to work towards teaching all three subjects to GCSE level. Funded enhancement courses in Chemistry or Physics are available for early applicants
Aims of the Course
The aims of the course are: - to help you become an efficient, effective, competent and professionally aware teacher of Science;
- to help you acquire practical classroom skills, using a range of media including ICT;
- to help you understand pupils' achievements and difficulties and to respond sympathetically to their individual needs;
- to help you in the selection, production and use of a wide variety of teaching materials;
- to help you develop a successful teaching style capitalising on your own personal qualities and talents;
- to maintain and extend your competence in the science(s) you teach.
To these ends you will be presented with and encouraged to adopt a range of strategies drawing upon current science teaching techniques, research, inspection findings and applications of new technology.
Throughout the course, theory and practice are closely inter-linked, and you are encouraged to develop such links through your own research, reading and practice.
We offer a highly collaborative, supportive ethos where ICT is used to enhance the programme and improve communication. Resources for teaching and learning are created and shared.
What is special about this course? As a participant in a School Centred Initial Teacher Training (SCITT) course, much of your training will take place within a school environment where you will be able to benefit from the experience of practising teachers. Several of our past trainees are employed in consortium schools.. Working within our schools, you will be able to gain experience from these and other colleagues within the department and have the opportunities to develop new skills.
You will also receive: - regular diagnostic science tests to enable you to identify your areas of scientific weakness. On the basis of these we will help you to draw up action plans so you can plan and track your programme of subject knowledge improvement
- opportunities in at least one of your placement schools to teach your specialist subject to post 16 students, either A level or Advanced GNVQ
- full access to the library, ICT and reprographic resources of both your school and the KMT centre
- opportunities to participate in and help organise school trips and extra-curricular activities.
Entry Requirements
Requirements are as follows; - Normally, a 2.2 degree, or higher, with at least 50% of the degree content related to your main subject. Subject knowledge to GCSE level in all three subjects will be assessed at interview.
- Advanced level (or equivalent) in at least your specialist subject
This course will close when we have allocated all of our spaces. We recommend that you submit your application early. Course outline The Subject Studies programme at Kent and Medway Training is designed to develop your confidence to teach Science at secondary school level. The Science programme presents a thorough and structured series of seminars, each one concentrating on a different aspect of the delivery of Science in the laboratory. Building on your existing knowledge as established by the initial subject audit, the sessions develop your teaching competence rapidly and provide you with the skills to become an effective classroom teacher from early in your first teaching placement. For this reason the subject studies programme is "front-loaded", with the majority of sessions taking place in the first term and the number reducing as your confidence builds.
Each session combines an introduction to theory with more practical activities to enable new skills to be practised.. You are encouraged to begin your programme of general reading and subject knowledge enhancement before the course begins. You will be advised at interview of specific pre-course tasks which will help prepare you for a good start in September. You will also be sent a short reading list and task list once you have accepted a place. The more specific reading required for subject studies begins as soon as you are provided with the Subject Handbook in the Induction Week. All texts are held in the Kent and Medway Library at Leigh Technology Academy.
The programme fully dovetails with other aspects of the course. In particular, school-based mentors will discuss with you the issues of forthcoming or recently attended subject studies sessions and will help you to complete successfully subject-based assignments. In addition, aspects of professional studies will be discussed in subject studies sessions, as will the requirements of forthcoming assignments.
One of the key strengths of the KMT programme is that it draws upon the experience of practising teachers. Accordingly all subject sessions are led by successful Science teachers from consortium schools (several of whom are officially recognised Advanced Skills Teachers) and are generally held in the schools of the teachers concerned. The majority of the sessions start at 4.00 p.m., although exceptionally some take place at 1.30 p.m. All sessions are 1½ -2 hours in length. Previous trainees have remarked on how they benefited from the opportunities to meet regularly and share their experiences. |
