NEWSLETTER EDITION5 APRIL 2014
TEACHER EDUCATION AT LOUGHBOROUGH
PGCE Maths at Update on Teacher Education Loughborough at Loughborough During 2013, the University undertook a major review of its teacher education provision. As a result of this review, the decision was taken to formally cease PGCE provision in Design and Technology and the Sciences (Biology, Chemistry, Physics and Physics with Maths) from September 2014. However, the PGCE in Physical Education continues and there are plans to grow this provision including via the School Direct route. We are also pleased to confirm that the PGCE in Mathematics is being launched for 2014 entry. These decisions reflect a combination of strategic changes within the University, uncertainties over government policy, and operational matters.
Now that we have received formal confirmation of the launch of the PGCE secondary Maths course, we are busy recruiting new University staff to manage and deliver this new programme. A PGCE Maths Programme Director has been appointed to lead the subject and a one day a week teacher secondment post will be recruited to support the Programme Director. We have also set up a PGCE Maths Advisory Group to help steer the design and delivery of the new programme. The first meeting of this group took place on 27th February 2014 and a second meeting is planned for Tuesday 13th May 2014 (from 2-4pm). Any experienced Maths teachers who are interested in joining the advisory group are welcome to contact me for further information (
[email protected]).
Loughborough School Direct Event As an ‘outstanding’ provider of ITT and one that offers a proven high quality PGCE programme (which represents half a full masters qualification i.e. 90 masters level credits), we consider that we are well positioned to partner schools on the School Direct route into teaching. We are keen to expand our School Direct provision for 2015-16 in Physical Education and Maths and have planned a Loughborough School Direct Event on Tuesday 3rd June 2014 from 4.30-6.30pm at Burleigh Court (which is located at one end of the University campus). Formal invitations will be sent out to schools about this after Easter but please put the date and time in your diaries as we are hoping for a good turnout.
Dr Jo Harris Director of Teacher Education
[email protected] 01509 223250
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IN THIS ISSUE Loughborough Design School D&T Association Summer School 2014 at Loughborough Design School
Physical Education NC advice, ICT and a G&T invitation
Science Science partnership with RLC-lab, Teacher Education and Science
Worldwide teaching experience
NEWSLETTER EDITION5 APRIL 2014
DESIGN AND TECHNOLOGY Moving on …... In the last newsletter, I wrote ‘it will be hard to justify future sustainability with cohorts of less than 10’. In view of events since then, what I should have written is, ‘that as Loughborough Design School repositions its strategy to maintain high quality degree programmes in a changing higher education, the future sustainability with PGCE cohorts of less than 10 is not justifiable.’ By Christmas, it was evident that time would be better directed to my remits as learning and teaching adviser to support Design School staff, and as theme leader for design education research, which is one of 8 themes spanning our 7 research groups. Each of these two roles, during 2013, had expanded as D&T Initial Teacher Training contracted. So, after 20 years as Programme Leader, time to move on to accommodate new challenges. To manage a declining programme would be in no-one’s interest and only lead to loss of reputation. In other words, ‘know when to stop’. We will continue to support those who have taken leave of absence and those who have opted to complete their Master’s Degree studies.
…….. and Beyond What is important is that it is business as usual at Loughborough Design School
for undergraduate and postgraduate degree programmes. Our undergraduate programmes are Industrial Design and Technology BA, Product Design and Technology BSc, Ergonomics (Human Factors Design) BSc, and Design Ergonomics BSc. The ‘and technology’ is unique in our Design and Technology BA and BSc programmes and it enhances graduate employment prospects. This is significant to D&T curriculum practice in schools because findings consistently report (D&T Association, DfE, Ofsted) that technology has become the weaker of the two fields; design not technology. The new National Curriculum Programme of Study for D&T increases the emphasis on technological knowledge, biomimicry, user-centred-design and design as an iterative process. As a consequence there is a job to be done in supporting D&T teachers to address the skills gap in these areas. This term we have been mindful of these gaps through our continuation of the ‘laser-clocks’ project, which has become broadened to include health and safety training in the use of laser cutters in schools and their use for innovative STEM project. For further information please visit our website http://www.lboro.ac.uk/ departments/mechman/clocks/
D&T Association Summer School 2014 at Loughborough Design School As implied above, delivery of the new D&T PoS creates challenges if the subject is to show a step change to survive the future. In the Design School we are aware of this because of potential impact down the line on undergraduate recruitment. The Design and Technology Association are certainly aware of this. So, combining forces, I have met with Andy Mitchel, Assistant Chief Executive to start the planning for the Association’s first annual Summer School for teachers. This will be a two day event held in Loughborough Design School on Friday/ Saturday 11/12 July. See https://www. data.org.uk/for-education/training-andevents/dt-summer-school-2014/
End of Year D&T and Science Mentor Social Instead of our June mentor training day for Science and D&T Mentors, past and present, we are planning a social get together. This will be held as a twilight event in July, with a buffet and drinks, which the University has agreed to fund as a thank you from us. Further details will follow after Easter when we have finalised dates.
Nigel Zanker PGCE/MSc Design and Technology Programme Director, Design Education and Research
[email protected] 01509 222661
TEACHER EDUCATION AT LOUGHBOROUGH
PHYSICAL EDUCATION The New National Curriculum Following on from our discussions at Mentor Training in February – afPE have now launched an ‘Advice on the New 2014 National Curriculum’ web page (http:// www.afpe.org.uk/advice-on-new-nationalcurriculum). The site contains an overview of sections and highlights its intent to develop over time as a venue to share materials aimed at anyone who has a responsibility to train teachers, subject leaders and class teachers to support the delivery of the new National Curriculum for physical education. In conjunction with this and as part of your planning for the New 2014 National Curriculum, we would like to draw your attention to an accompanying webpage from afPE which offers direct links to the programmes of study KS1-4 for PE, as
well as an ‘Analysis of Progression Across the Key Stages’ (http://www.afpe.org. uk/advice-on-new-national-curriculum/ new-national-curriculum). It details the requirements of the National Curriculum as well as the progression in learning across the Key Stages under key headings identified within the new curriculum.
for the RFU and Nick Bromell (PGCE PE, SSEHS). Anyone interested in attending should contact Nick Bromell (n.r.bromell@ lboro.ac.uk) to reserve a place indicating a preference for morning or afternoon. Places will be offered on a first come first served basis and all applications must be received by Friday 2nd May.
ICT Development Group
PE Trainees’ Ugandan experience
As you know from mentor training the purpose of this group is to identify, promote and develop the best use of ICT to enhance learning in PE in our partnership schools. As part of this we would like to ask you to identify any aspects of your school’s work using ICT in PE which you would like to share with colleagues. Also if you have any questions about the use of ICT or suggested aspects of ICT that you want to develop in your school then please let us know. You can contact myself, Kerry Wilson, Teacher of PE at Lutterworth College via email (
[email protected]) or Twitter (@misskjwilson), or Ross Wickens, Teacher of PE at Toot Hill School via email (
[email protected]) or Twitter (@MrWickensPE) if you have any questions or want to discuss the use of ICT in your school.
PE Trainees travelled to Uganda recently to share British teaching practice at schools in the country. For the past three years, Teacher Education at Loughborough has been involved with a Ugandan project to create a new school – the Shalom International School for Lifelong Learning – in the Teso region of the country. The school provides educational opportunities for people of all ages and aims to be a model of best practice for other schools in Uganda. Please visit the following site to see comments from the PE trainees on their experiences. (www.lboro.ac.uk/internal/news/2014/ march/teaching-students-once-in-alifetime-ugandan-experience.html)
Gifted and Talented Day
Dr Mike Waring PGCE/MSc Physical Education Programme Director
[email protected] 01509 223212
Physical Education staff have organised another of the Gifted and Talented Days for PGCE PE trainees, and we would like to invite your school. As in previous years partnership schools are invited to bring along EIGHT Year 8 students (regardless of ability) to either the morning (9am – 12pm) or afternoon (1pm – 4pm) session on Thursday 5th June. The session will be practical for pupils, and staff will have an opportunity to observe them work and also participate in a separate seminar/ workshop. The session will be delivered by Dan Fraser who is Education Manager
Finally, we continue to welcome any suggestions you may have regarding the content of this newsletter. That includes particular things you would like to know more about, as well as to share with other NQTs which you think would support their professional development needs.
TEACHER EDUCATION
NEWSLETTER EDITION5 APRIL 2014
AT LOUGHBOROUGH
SCIENCE
Science PGCE launch partnership with RLC-lab The Science PGCE launched a partnership with RLC-lab on 19th February which is intended to make Science trainees aware of its services and hopefully to encourage them into initiating an inquiry based project in their Phase 2 practice. RLC-lab offer a free chemical analysis service to all schools in the UK which is mainly aimed at A-level chemistry and BTEC Science students. The Director of RLC-lab introduced the service to the trainees and invited them to register online where they could look at results of previous tests. They were each given a vial, coded to them which they could take away and complete an analysis of their own. The trainees were questioned on their experience of chemical testing and whether they thought the service had potential for improving their teaching and learning in this subject. There will be a follow up questionnaire on their return so that the trial can be evaluated for impact in schools. For more information on RLC-lab visit www.rlclab.com and for an insight into the service from start to finish visit http://www.rlc-lab. com/images/stories/overview3b.pdf.
Teacher Education and Science As you are all no doubt aware the PGCE in Science along with that in Physics with Maths is coming to an end. John Twidle, the programme director for these courses, has retired and I have been asked to take over his role until July. Although we will not have a new intake of trainees next September we will still have a presence within Teacher Education as we will continue to support those who may have taken a leave of absence along with those that have opted to complete their Master’s Degree studies.
Can I take this opportunity to thank everyone who has been involved in PGCE Science and PGCE Physics with Maths, whether this has been as a Mentor, ITT Coordinator or Trainee. We wish you all the best and hope that you will continue to support us as we hope to continue to support the development of Science pedagogy in the future.
Mike Walsh PEC/PGCE/MSc Secondary Science Programme Director
[email protected] 01509 222784
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