Bennett Memorial Diocesan School

1. Bennett Memorial Diocesan School Considering a career change? Thinking of teaching?

2. What are the rewards? • From day one you are in a position of leadership. • Making a difference to young people, inspiring interest, enthusiasm, ‘lighting a fire’ (rather than ‘filling a bucket’!), leaving a legacy • Belonging to a community – support, interaction, relationships, co-building an ethos, chance to support student learning and development outside the classroom • Being appreciated – students, parents, colleagues • Doing a professional job, gaining satisfaction • Feeling stretched, always learning, getting better • http://www.youtube.com/getintoteaching

3. Qualities and qualifications • A lively interest in a subject • Shortage subjects are Mathematics, Sciences, English, Modern Languages, Computing Science • Other important subjects include History, Geography, Design Technology, Biology, Music • A ‘good’ degree – ideally a 2.1 or above • Strong interest in or experience of young people and their learning • A positive outlook and a belief that education can be transformational to individuals and for society

4. Training routes • PGCE – Post Graduate Certificate in Education – run by a university education department • Theoretical input in university setting as well as two extended school placements (typically 10-12 weeks each) • ‘Schools Direct’ – a ‘school based’ route • Single main placement and a much shorter second placement; shorter university input

5. So, what are Bennett offering? • Schools Direct places leading to a PGCE – internationally recognised teacher training qualification. • In partnership with the University of London Institute of Education.

6. Why train with us? • Church of England co-educational school with independent academy status • Judged to be outstanding in every area by Ofsted in 2012 • Outstanding GCSE and A level results • Excellent reputation; oversubscribed • 1500 students on roll including 350 in the Sixth form

7. The subjects on offer at Bennett (subject to confirmation from ‘Schools Direct’) • Modern Foreign language (Fr, Ge, Sp) • Mathematics • Chemistry • Physics • Geography • History • English

8. Costs and options at Bennett (1) • These depend on the subject, the kind of degree you have, and the route you choose. • At Bennett all options lead to a PGCE. • If you take the Schools Direct salaried route you are employed as an unqualified teacher by the school (c£16000). • You pay no tuition fees • You must have at least three years work experience post graduation. • Following subjects: Chemistry, Physics, Mathematics, Modern foreign languages. • You attend the Institute of education for 15 days in the year and have a second school placement of up to 4 weeks.

9. Costs and options at Bennett (2) • If you take the Schools Direct training route you are effectively a postgraduate student at the IoE in London with your school placement at Bennett. A short placement is also undertaken at another school. • You pay tuition fees (2013/14: £9000). These are eligible for student loans. • You are a graduate who meets all the current criteria for teacher training (e.g. degree, GCSE or equivalent grade C or above in English and Maths). • Many who opt for this route will be recent graduates but there is nothing to stop graduates who graduated more than three years ago to apply for this route. • You can apply for bursaries and/or scholarships.

10. Bursaries available (tax free) Full details of funding for the training route here: http://www.education.gov.uk/get-into-teaching/funding/postgraduate-funding.aspx

11. Subjects available for training route (subject to confirmation) • Modern Foreign Languages • Chemistry • Physics • Mathematics • Geography • History • English

12. What do teachers get paid? • Teaching salaries are becoming more flexible and may vary from school to school • A typical starting salary for a graduate is £23k • After about 5 years and assuming no additional responsibility this rises to £32k • A head of a small department with up to about 10 years’ experience might earn £41k • A head of a large department might earn £50k • A deputy head in a large school might earn in the region of £70k

13. What are career opportunities? • The teaching workforce is much more dynamic than ever before – opportunities to promote and develop teachers with potential are increasing • Shortage subjects have more opportunities than others • Outstanding teachers get access to better opportunities • Other experience can help speed up promotion • Typical promotion times: 3-5 years for small/medium subject leaders; 5-8 years for larger subjects; 7-10 years for leadership team

14. How is education in England changing? • Focus on subject learning • School autonomy • Greater freedoms for professionals • Balanced with accountability

15. Further questions and key dates • Useful email: • Anna Taylor: taylora@bennett.kent.sch.uk • From 31st October Bennett will receive confirmation subjects we are able to offer. These will be on our website from 4th November. • From 21st November you will be able to apply through the UCAS website. • http://www.ucas.com/how-it-all-works/teacher-training • Useful further information on the Department for education website: http://www.education.gov.uk/get-into-teaching/faqs.aspx • Institute of Education website: www.ioe.ac.uk