As a Goldmiths Lead Delivery Partner, the Illuminate Minds Trust “Aspiring Teacher Pathways” gives graduates keen to teach access to a course which is designed around real life experiences working alongside professionals in the classroom whilst simultaneously accessing quality training through our partnership with Goldsmiths University .  At the end of the year, successful trainee teachers will achieve Qualified Teacher Status (QTS) and gain a Post-Graduate Certificate in Education (PGCE) with the security of a job in one of our schools for their ECT period.   

This is a unique opportunity for aspiring teachers: a combination of in-school learning on the job and teaching through Goldsmiths University.  You will spend four days each week in school working closely with your mentor and benefit from being immersed in excellent classroom practices every day except when they are attending Goldsmiths during study blocks or daily release.  Additionally, you will be exposed to good and outstanding teaching through being in schools where quality first teaching and inclusive practices are key, benefitting from being part of our school communities and learning from experienced practitioners who themselves bring a wealth of knowledge and expertise from across the educational sector.  Attending Goldsmiths will ensure our trainee teachers have the opportunity to network with aspiring teachers following the same pathway in other schools.

Our trainees follow the Goldsmiths curriculum as well as accessing in-house professional development which covers the following 12 areas:

• Being a professional: statutory responsibilities and professional conduct.
• Pedagogy: how children learn and what effective teaching looks like.
• Assessment and feedback: accelerating progress and helping children learn.
• Adaptive teaching: meeting the needs of all children.
• Classroom routines and high expectations.
• Subject knowledge and the primary curriculum.
• Effective planning.
• Managing behaviour and building positive relationships.
• Supporting pupils with SEND.
• Working with stakeholders: home and family.
• Reporting and recording: measuring progress and informing planning.
• Pupil wellbeing and safeguarding.

Throughout the year, you will receive regular feedback through our daily leadership monitoring (learning walks), observations, weekly mentor meetings and visits from Goldsmiths staff.  Our trust promotes on-going dialogue and sharing of good practice which means you will frequently engage in informal conversations and coaching from colleagues in your school.

At the end of the year you will be assessed on your progress against Teacher Standards. You will have the skills, knowledge and confidence to teach children aged 5-11 and make a real difference to their future lives.  Successful completion of the programme will result in you being awarded a PGCE with a recommendation for the awarding of QTS and in most cases employment as an Early Careers Teacher in one of our schools.

The level of support you will receive during the programme is outstanding!  Your school mentor will support you daily as you share responsibility for a class and they in turn will be managed by a nominated professional tutor from our Trust Central Team.  All trainee teachers will also have a termly visit from their Goldsmiths tutor alongside the in-school support.

This is a professional qualification which provides you with a passport to a career in teaching.  You will be assessed through (a) a group presentation and (b) two written assignments which cover the topics of special educational needs and disabilities (SEND), managing behaviour and assessment, and marking and feedback. Projects are timetabled at different points throughout the year with training sessions to develop your written and research skills and to build on your understanding of these key areas.

Collaboration is a fundamental element of the programme which reflects the way in which we work as a trust and support each other as professionals in continually improving our practice.  Participating in this programme offers aspiring teachers the chance to be part of our “Excellence Every Day” ambition for everyone in our community, both staff and pupils.