National MFL SCITT Partner School and Hub

The National Modern Languages School Centred Initial Teacher Training programme (The NML SCITT) is part of Chorus Education Trust (CET) (formerly known as Silverdale Trust). Silverdale School, an outstanding school with Teaching School and Language College status in South West Sheffield, is at the heart of the Trust and is the Lead School for the programme. Central to the SCITT is its partnership with the independent sector; it is totally committed to bringing the state and independent sectors closer together. The learning community believes in the power of languages to transform lives and to create life opportunities for all our children and all our school staff. The passion for languages and language learning has led to the creation of this programme, which will prepare all trainees to teach languages in the state and independent sectors.

The NML SCITT consists of Silverdale School, which is the central training centre, and four geographical hubs around a cluster of state and independent schools – Abingdon, Bolton, Dulwich and Oundle. The SCITT Director who reports to the SCITT Strategic Board is ultimately responsible and accountable for the SCITT and the successful provision of Qualified Teacher Status (QTS). There is partnership with Sheffield Hallam University for the provision of Post Graduate Certificate in Education which is recognised in Scotland, Wales, Ireland and internationally. The NML SCITT will train graduates from all over the world, many of whom are native speakers of the language they will train to teach. The programme focuses on Key Stage (KS) 3 and 4 with a 16-19 (this phase is often referred to as KS5) enhancement. This means, by the end of the course, you will hold QTS and an academic award called a PGCE including Master’s credits, you will be trained in KS3/4 and have an understanding of KS5.

Aims

In order to comply with Department for Education (DfE) statutory requirements, trainees train to teach in two schools; a named Mentor and ITT Coordinator in both schools support the training. In addition, the Lead Teacher from your hub school and the course leader will provide support and quality assurance of the whole programme. Personal support is supplemented by core training (Day Schools) which takes place in each hub lead school. The Day Schools are run by a highly experienced team of teacher trainers, including the Course Leader.

The key aims of the programme are:

- To create a training plan to meet the individual needs of the trainee.

- To develop teaching competences through a phased induction into good practice in the teaching of Languages under the guidance of a Mentor

- To enable the trainee to engage critically in debate about education.

- To familiarise the trainee with the organisation and management of schools in England.

- To be explicit about the thought processes of effective teachers.

- To rehearse encounters with pupils, their parents or carers and other teachers.

- To support the consideration as to how pupils learn language and how this knowledge can influence planning decisions.

- To teach the trainee how to get pupils talking in a foreign language.

- To teach the trainee how to assess and monitor pupils’ work.

- To help the trainee to become the teacher he or she wants to become

- To help develop your resilience · To prepare the trainee for employment

- To equip the trainee with the tools for a successful and fulfilling career.

Background

The project was set up through Government funding to fulfil the shortage in MFL teachers in the UK. It was set up in 2016.

Resources

Student teachers attending their placement at Bolton School work alongside the staff in the MFL Department and complete professional training at Bolton and Silverdale School. Whilst at Bolton they have the support of the SCITT lead teacher, who coordinates the course with Silverdale School, and a school-based subject mentor who meets with them formally each week and supports them throughout their time in school.

Impact

The trainee attains QTS achieved from Chorus Educational Trust.

A PGCE achieved from Sheffield Hallam University.

The trainee gains employment, ideally in the state sector.

Pupil Involvement

All pupils of secondary school age are involved, coupled with short placements in primary schools.

Frequency

Ongoing, annually.