FAQ – Applicants
Recruitment / interviews
Qualifications and Expereince
Programme Details
Overseas Trained Teachers
Recruitment / interviews
1. What is the deadline for applying?
The deadlines for applications are February 25th 2011 for the September 2011 cohort and May 20th 2011 for the September 2011 OTTP cohort.
2. When are the start dates?
Primary and secondary GRTP programmmes along with OTTP commence on the 1st September each year. There is an additional start in Janaury for GTP “Accelerated Option.” only.
3. When do interviews take place?
Interviews for GRTP take place in March/April for September starts and November for GTP “Accelerated Option”. Interviews for OTTP take place in June.
4. Would a GTP application preclude me from applying for a full time PGCE primary course via the GTTR?
No – applicants may apply for both GTP and PGCE courses.
Qualifications and Expereince
1. What is the percentage of the degree subject that is needed to teach the subject area in KS3, KS4 and Post 16?
There is no finite percentage requirement in terms of relevant subject content of the degree. Candidates need to demonstrate that their degree is sufficiently relevant to the subject they are to train to teach to enable them to have deep and broad subject knowledge and understanding. Work/life experience is also taken into account in assessing a candidate’s potential to meet the subject knowledge Professional Standards. This experience may offset any difference between a degree qualification and the school curriculum subject applicants wish to teach.
2. What characteristics are you looking for in a good Employment Based Trainee Teacher?
The criteria for entry onto an Employment Based Route to Initial Teacher Training suggests that:
‘The Graduate Teacher Programme suits mature, intelligent, highly motivated, independent and well qualified trainees; who are flexible, adaptable, can think for themselves, reflect and improve on their work and practice, and who also need to earn a living whilst they train.’
By the end of their training the Graduate Trainee will have developed into a reflective practitioner who has met the professional standards contained in the TDA document ‘Qualifying to Teach’ and are able to apply their skills, knowledge and understanding effectively and flexibly in a wide range of school settings. In addition they will have clearly demonstrated their ability to relate theory to practice and to critically evaluate the fundamental aims and values of education, i.e. they will be teachers who are:
- able to debate issues in education and formulate and justify their views;
- effective classroom managers, sensitive and responsive to the needs of pupils and thus able to promote learning
- effective, confident, imaginative and flexible curriculum planners;
- knowledgeable, particularly in relation to the breadth of work in the National Curriculum
- able to use ICT effectively in their teaching
- astute, fair, self-critical assessors and evaluators of pupils’ work and of their own teaching
- well informed professionals in terms of the organisation of schools as institutions and the place of schools in society
- committed professional teachers, able to set themselves and their pupils high standards
- able to recognise the value of continued professional development.
3. What do you consider to be a suitable amount of classroom experience for an applicant?
The competition for places on the GTP is high. A number of applicants have been working in schools for several years. However we do accept candidates with less experience. The bare minimum would be 2 weeks although you are highly unlikely to be short-listed with this amount. It is not just the quantity of experience but the quality of that experience and the ability to reflect upon that experience at interview.
4. What courses can RTPs do to get the additional 120 credits?
RTPs can gain their additional 120 credits by registering for a degree programme at degree level 3 which may last for up to two years with a Higher Education provider. Bradford College offers a Level 3 Bachelor of Education Degree Programme lasting 4 terms which is tailored to the needs of RTP.
5. How do I find out what credit value my qualifications have?
This is indicated to you by your HEI provider as you complete the various components of your degree course. The first year of a degree course is equivalent to 120 CAT credits at Level 1 and the second year of a degree course is equivalent to 120 credits at Level 2.
6. Where can I get new copies of my lost certificates?
To replace lost certificates of qualifications, trainees are advised to contact the exam board or awarding body in the first instance, and seek their advice. Most of these organisations will provide a statement confirming the qualification, and they charge a fee for this service.
7. Do you offer an equivalency test?
B-NETT no longer offers equivalency tests. However advice can be given on where these are available.
Programme Details
1. Is it possible to complete the Programme in less than a year?
For some trainees who already have wide ranging teaching experience, it may be possible to negotiate to complete in less time.
2. Is there course work?
There is no requirement to write essays or assignments for the University. However, there is a considerable amount of written work required by the GT and RT Programmes, including:
- A Personalised Training Plan
- Focus tasks
- Outcomes of training (e.g. research, interviews, notes, minutes) with evaluations
- Collated evidence that all Professional Standards for QTS have been met
- Detailed individual lesson
- Evaluations and reflections upon lessons delivered
- A record of subject knowledge development
3. Can I do the programme on a part-time basis? What will this mean?
All Programmes are designed to be full-time training in school, with part-time attendance at Bradford College. In exceptional circumstances, it may be possible to interrupt training and suspend funding for a period of time.
Overseas Trained Teachers
1. Who is an Overseas Trained Teacher?
Any potential applicant who has a teaching qualification achieved from a country outside the European Economic Community and who has been licensed to teach in their home country.
2. How can I apply for the award of Qualified Teacher Status through the Overseas Trained Teacher Programme?
In the first case, you should visit the TDA website and read about the requirements that you and your school must fullfil before contacting the Administration Desk at B-NETT.
3. The legislation relating to Overseas Trained Teachers has changed recently. How could this affect my position as a teacher in Britain?
There have been a range of changes following the TDA’s Overseas Trained Teacher consultation, which you can read about here.