Train to Teach

Train to teach at Theale Green School

At Theale Green, we are proud to offer a number of routes to train to teach, and of our Early Careers Teacher support programmes.  Read more below for our two postgraduate options, our assessment-only option for experienced unqualified teachers, and our ECT programme.

If you are interested in visiting us to get experience before embarking on a teacher training course, please book here for our in person experience days which are on Thursday 18th January and Thursday 25th April.  Read more about these days here.

     

    Postgraduate training options

    There are two ways to add a teaching qualification to your degree to become an Early Career Teacher.

    The first way is by studying for a Post Graduate Certificate of Education (PGCE).  This is a one year course in which you learn how to teach your preferred key stage (children’s education is broken into five key stages from infant to sixth form) and complete placements in schools.  We are part of the Two Counties Partnership, where PGCE students gain their qualification from the University of Reading, and are guaranteed a placement at Theale Green, and at one other school in the partnership.  For more information, please scroll down.

    The second is by completing a Learning and Skills Teacher apprenticeship.  This is a part time two year course where you work in school for four days per week, and study on the fifth day.  We work in partnership with Reading College on this course.  For more information, please visit their website here.

    PGCE with the Two Counties Teacher Training Partnership

    Welcome to the our Partnership, which comprises of Little Heath SchoolProspect SchoolThe Hurst Community CollegeTheale GreenThe WrenDenefield School  and The Willink.  2 Counties works alongside the University of Reading in providing teacher training; this is a very well established alliance that is strong and successful.

    As a Partnership we pride ourselves on our teaching and the strength of our Initial Teacher Training (ITT) programme.  We have many years of experience in mentoring trainee teachers with our dedicated coordinators and mentors who are supported by strong Leadership teams.  Successful School Direct trainees will be largely based in one school (most often the one of their choice) with the added benefit of regularly meeting other trainees across the Partnership.  Trainees also have a shorter placement in our variety of different educational settings in order to broaden their teaching experience yet further.

    All of our schools are within a relatively small geographical area to the west and south-west of Reading; if you are keen to have some control over where you are based for your school experience then the School Direct route through us is ideal for you.

    Many successful 2 Counties trainees continue as members of staff at our schools after their ITT year has been completed; quality support continues through their first two years as Early Career Teachers and beyond as their careers progress.  Please do be aware that due to the nature of staffing in schools, we cannot guarantee a post will be available with 2 Counties schools on completion of your training.

    Our trainees will spend the majority of the school year based in one main school with a 5/6 week 2nd school placement at the beginning of the Spring term.  Training will be led by experienced staff in each school and will involve meetings, workshops and other activities.  Being based in a school, our trainees will quickly come to appreciate the nature of teaching and learning in the workplace and will see how to put theory into practice every day. The University based training days support the school-led programme and give trainees the opportunity to learn from the experience and enquiry of others in the Reading Partnership.  The ITT programme is designed to build confidence and subject knowledge and equip a trainee teacher with the skills necessary to becoming an effective classroom practitioner. Throughout the training, support will be provided by a well-trained mentor in school as well as the University.

    Learning and Skills Teacher apprenticeship

    This is a part time two year course where you work in school for four days per week, and study on the fifth day.  We work in partnership with Reading College on this course.  Read more about this on their website here.

    Assessment only route for experienced unqualified teachers

    If you have been working as an unqualified teacher for two years or more, you can choose to be assessed by our partners at the University of Reading to gain your Qualified Teacher Status.  At the beginning of this programme, you will be assessed by a University of Reading assessor, who will complete an Assessment Only (AO) plan with you which will detail your personalised journey to QTS.  If you are interested in finding out more, please read the University of Reading’s brochure here.

    Early Career Teacher support

    No matter through which route you become a teacher, you will be an Early Career Teacher for your first two years after qualifying.  During this time, additional support is given to help you build the knowledge and skills to feel confident in your classroom.  Read more about the ECT framework here.

    At Theale Green, we work with the Teaching School Hub in Berkshire to support teachers during this period, which includes a trained mentor and the UCL Extend Monitoring programme.  Read more about the TSH programme on their website here.

     

    For further information about our SD programme and the opportunity to gain some school-based experience please contact:

    Theale Green School

    Mr Matt Bowler
    MBowler@thealegreen.w-berks.sch.uk

    Prospect School

    Ms S Pittman                                                 spittman@prospect.reading.sch.uk

    The Hurst Community College

    Mrs L Billingham
    laura.billingham@hurst.hants.sch.uk

    Denefield School

    Mr L Simpson                                                          lsn@denefield.org.uk

    Little Heath School

    Miss K Elsdon
    kelsdon@littleheath.org.uk

    The Willink School

    Mrs H Jonas                                                  traintoteach@willink.w-berks.sch.uk

    The Wren School

    Ms Bessie O’Brien
    Bobrien@wrenschool.org

    Upcoming Virtual Train to Teach information sessions

    • 12th January
    • 20th April

    Any questions?

    For more information please contact us at: MBowler@thealegreen.w-berks.sch.uk

    Or 0118 930 2741 and ask for Matt Bowler.

     

    School Direct is a one-year programme that enables aspiring teachers to train full-time in schools.  To find out more please go to the following websites:

    Theale Green GSC Days

    Get Into Teaching: Ways to train (education.gov.uk)

    Secondary School Direct – University of Reading

    Two Counties Teacher Training Information Pack 2022/23