Information about Schools Direct
Beechwood Primary School is a partner to the Heath Teaching School in Runcorn and we are involved in the Schools Direct Programme. The Heath School is Lead School for Teacher Education Across Merseyside (TEAM) consortium and we work in partnership with Liverpool John Moores University (LJMU). Beechwood Primary School has a strong commitment to providing outstanding Initial Teacher Training.
For the academic year 2015-16 we will once again have a trainee completing their programme with us. They will be following the trainee route.
For the academic year 2016-2017 we are hoping to have two trainees completing their programme with us. They will both be following the trainee route.
School Direct is a relatively new route into teaching where trainee teachers work in a home school for the majority of their training. There are two routes to go down:
- School Direct trainee programme
- School Direct salaried programme
Accreditation for the Post Graduate Certificate of Education (with Qualified Teacher Status) is awarded by John Moores University. The intention of School Direct is to create a deeper partnership between schools and universities. A lead school works in partnership with the university and other schools, as a group which is referred to as a consortium. Although there are no guarantees, every effort is made to employ School Direct trainees within their consortium, upon successfully gaining QTS.
Beechwood Primary School is a 'good' school, with an excellent reputation within the borough of Halton. We have a very enthusiastic, hard-working and friendly staff team who are used to offering support to students and colleagues alike. Beechwood Primary School is an Advanced Thinking School, we are passionate about developing life long independent thinkers and learners. We have a lovely outdoor environment that is used to the full to bring the children's learning to life. We are fully committed to developing the whole child and we are proud to have achieved the School Games GOLD, Artsmark GOLD and Green Tree School GOLD awards. Our children are enthusiastic learners and visitors always comment on how polite and helpful our children are.
For the School Direct training route you would complete a one week induction in August at Liverpool John Moores University (our partner university), following induction you will start in September in Beechwood Primary School and be part of the staff team from day one. You will attend university for some days throughout the year but the vast majority of the time you will be in school. There will be a second placement of six+ weeks in a contrasting school within the consortium, to help you gain a breadth of experience to prepare you for your NQT year. As we have a vast range of schools within the current consortium we are also able to arrange days at Primary, Secondary and other Special schools to support you to develop in areas specific to your needs.
You will start off by observing lessons and noting what makes a good teacher and strategies used and gradually you will begin to teach. You can expect regular feedback from experienced and high performing teachers. You will be supported by a mentor who will meet with you weekly to guide your progress, share their expertise and help you set targets. You will also be placed in a class and work alongside an experienced teacher in order to gain the full range of experience required. If areas of further development are identified you will be offered opportunities for experience in different age groups in order for you to meet your needs.
‘My training at Beechwood has provided me with invaluable skills to take forward into my teaching. The opportunity to immerse myself in their outdoor learning approach and become trained in advanced thinking skills has allowed me to develop a unique and exciting approach to teaching that I will continue to use throughout my career. I would recommend training at this school to anyone who wishes to observe and build a revolutionary approach to teaching, encouraging children to become lifelong and independent learners.’ James Marnell 2014-2015