Education Services, in partnership with the University of Brighton, is looking for a new cohort of local graduates who would be interested in the opportunity to train to be a teacher on-Island.
The Initial Teacher Training programme offers an employment-based route into teaching with the opportunity to earn while you learn. The year-long study programme will lead to Guernsey Qualified Teacher Status (QTS). Opportunities will be available to train as a primary phase teacher or a secondary teacher. The training programme starts in September 2017.
‘We are delighted to be continuing this teacher training programme which will allow locally-based graduates to train to be a teacher without having to leave the Island,’ said Helen Grand, Deputy Director of Education.
‘We have five students currently on the programme and have places for up to nine more to train next year; six in secondary and three in primary.
‘Education Services is committed to employing locally residentially qualified teachers wherever possible and this programme not only helps us fill the Island shortfall of teachers, it provides the opportunity for more mature students to consider a career in teaching when it is perhaps difficult for them to train off-Island because of family or other commitments,’ said Mrs Grand.
‘We have always had to appoint some teachers from off-Island to teach in our secondary schools but it is sometimes difficult to appoint sufficient locally residentially qualified teachers to work in our primary schools and so we hope this scheme will help us address that.’
The training programme will normally take a year to complete and students will engage full-time in teaching and training in two local schools whilst being paid an unqualified teacher’s salary of just over £25,000. Training costs are covered by Education Services.
‘We are really keen to hear from any local graduates who might be interested in taking up this offer of training to be a teacher in Guernsey,’ said Mrs Grand.
‘We are looking for strong applications from graduates who have a good understanding of the education system today. They will have some knowledge of up to date teaching methods and the curriculum that is being delivered and will have spent time working with young people in school. We would also welcome applications from people interested in teaching pupils with special educational needs.
‘We are delighted that we can offer this opportunity in conjunction with the University of Brighton who are one of the leaders in teacher training,’ said Mrs Grand.
Anyone interested in finding out more should contact Liz Falla, Education Services’ Head of Professional Development on 733000 or email liz.falla@gov.gg
Further information about the Initial Teacher Training Programme, including an interview with one of our current trainees is available at www.gov.gg/ITT