Island Life Magazine Ltd December 2014/January 2015 | Page 138

Sandown Bay Academy 01983 409157 [email protected] Teacher training on the Isle of Wight T he Isle of Wight Secondary SCITT (school-centred initial teacher training) provides the opportunity for Island-based graduates to secure Qualified Teacher Status and proceed onto a school teaching career. The SCITT is an accredited provider of initial teacher training, meaning that recommendation for QTS can be awarded by the institution. Additionally, participants can secure a postgraduate certificate of Education and credits towards a Masters through the University of Sussex. The training provision has been inspected twice by Ofsted, under the Initial Teacher Education framework, and on both occasions has secured a ‘good’ judgement. The most recent inspection, in May 2013, identified as key strengths ‘the preparation of trainees to meet the needs of schools in challenging circumstances on the Isle of Wight’ and 138 www.visitilife.com ‘the high quality central training offered to secondary trainees’. Their vision for excellence is to secure high-quality teachers for Island schools. Teacher training programmes are available in the following secondary subjects: English, mathematics, science (biology, chemistry and physics), history, geography, drama, health and social care, physical education, modern languages, design and technology, and music. As the only accredited provider based on the Island, SCITT are entirely based on the Island. Trainees relocating to the Island, are assisted in finding accommodation and foster a community of developing teachers. Each teacher is provided with a SCITT tutor who has, in collaboration with the school, responsibility for their overall development. Due to the small size of the provision, this support is highly individualised and responsive to the needs of the trainee. In addition to weekly personal contact with the SCITT tutor, the trainee develops an e-portfolio to which their tutor provides commentary. Contact by phone: [phone] email: [email protected]; or twitter: @iwscitt.