As a trainee what are the rules around having a class?

[fluffyslipper1]

Am I correct in thinking as a trainee we must always have our lessons supervised? As in we can't teach a class without supervision? I'm just wondering what the rule about this is as no one really ever says that's a clear rule but i assume it is right?

Nah... they're paying £9k for the certificate.

There is definitely that attitude in there MrsHamlet.

We had a girl a couple of years ago who wasn't doing well. She was given loads of support from us and the provider, but she wasn't listening to advice and was doing things that were downright dangerous. However, in the meeting where we told the provider that we'd have no choice but to fail her for this placement, they decided to pull her out, stick her somewhere else and pass her.

There are people teaching in classrooms across the country that are only there because the Government could improve recruitment whilst maintaining the same standards. It's genuinely shocking and shouldn't be happening.

Iamnotthe1
I'm aware of other situations, but instead of dangerous just really incompetent.

Apparently if they've had some not-disasterous sections of lessons then it can't be a 4, so that starter they delivered that was lifted straight from the scheme of work PowerPoint and delivered with you in the room after you've got the class in and settled? That's proof they can plan engaging content and can maintain a good classroom culture.

I can't help but wonder if situations like that are why there's regularly posts in Facebook groups subject specialists asking people to share interview lessons, or asking people to heavily suggest material for interview, or asking for answers to interview questions.

An ITT provider in my area, that we've been involved with, was directly instructed by the DfE to change their application criteria. It seems that they couldn't require applicants to have had any experience in a school whatsoever, not even a visit. This was at both a primary and secondary level. It's no wonder candidates are needing more support in the classroom when, for some, it's the first time they've even been in one since their own education.

Training providers are graded - in part - on filling their places and having everyone pass. There is no incentive to ensure quality over quantity.

I agree MrsHamlet. The thing that annoys me though is that it's costing some people close to £10,000 to train in a course that they are poorly suited for, that they leave barely (not) meeting the pass standard, and then many will struggle to get jobs unless there is a huge shortage in an area.
If they do get a job, then the department has to support them, which adds workload to strong teachers by mentoring, coaching, informal support, and picking up the aftermath of poor teaching.

At the heart of it are students who deserve decent teaching, but are let down.

I used to run a SCITT. We rejected a lot of applicants for those very reasons.

I know of some people who have never done work experience in a school prior to covid which may be understandable if the school's were not allowing volunteers. Though some of these people are finishing their PGCE or NQT year and have said they will not go into teaching as they did not realise what was involved in the job. This is a waste of time for the trainee and the school if the person is not going into teaching afterwards.

The people who are benefitting are possible the school as they have someone teaching on a low wage saving their budgets and definitely the university as they have secure £9250 in fees.

I enquired about a PGCE and the course was glorified by various providers but whenever I job hunt to see what potential jobs are there, throughout the year there are about 6 jobs within a 50 mile radius as the subject is in decline. I won't fall for uni's lying about career prospects when there are no jobs at the end of it.

Unless they're salaried, which most aren't in my area, the school isn't saving money by having a trainee.

I think people need to be realistic when they apply for training and look at the jobs out there. There's always a shortage of (good) English, Maths, and MFL teachers, but near some of my friends English isn't a shortage. I don't think some people haven't realised that they can train anywhere in the country and not everyone remains teaching where they trained.
Once a trainee seemed to think they'd definitely get a job in a local school because there was only 3 of them in their subject. I had to point out that their ITT provider was one of over half a dozen routes in the region and it's common for people who trained at Local Big City Very Respected University to apply for jobs across the region, not just stay in Big City.

Though some of these people are finishing their PGCE or NQT year and have said they will not go into teaching as they did not realise what was involved in the job. This is a waste of time for the trainee and the school if the person is not going into teaching afterwards.

Seen this before too! I've also seen people go into it for the bursary, train and complete the minimum time and then leave. My sister's friend did that because she could get the max amount in her degree subject.

I've not had a maths trainee in the last 5 years who applied for a job afterwards. Bursary chasing is a thing.

I did the wrong subject. What would I have to do to get a maths bursary now?

But you'd be a maths teacher. I'll keep my marking, and Shakespeare :)

Bursary funding is a massive problem in science. Currently physics trainees get £26k plus, tax free during their training year. No requirement at all to continue teaching beyond that.
We have had a number of trainees over recent years where it has become clear they never had any intention of teaching and see it as a year of good money, obviously their attendance and commitment tend to dwindle as the year progresses. Obviously if they do stay on to teCh they have a massive salary drop when working much harder in their NQT year(s)

MrsHamlet
Please tell me you still get a small feeling of jealousy when mock exam time arrives though? The green eyes monster gets the better of me when I'm half way through Language Paper 2 and the maths department are finished.

Small????
At least they do marking, unlike our Lycra clad colleagues...
🤣