Part of your application process will ask you to provide details of your experience working in schools or with young people. Many of the schools in our network offer this through the DfE’s School Experience Programme. This programme will provide you with the necessary experience in a school environment prior to, or subsequent to, applying for your chosen route into teaching. During your at school, you will be given the opportunity to observe lessons in the subject you’re interested in and to attend a number of sessions linked to teacher training. Approach your chosen provider directly to see if they offer this opportunity.
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Sound like you?
Available dates are published on the DfE’s School Experience registration platform or on schools individual websites. If you would like to book directly with the DfE, then please obtain your unique reference number by calling the Teaching Line number Freephone 0800 389 2500.
How to get the most out of your experience.
Before you apply for School Direct, or indeed any route into teaching, it would be a good idea to have a minimum of at least two week’s experience in a mainstream state school under your belt. Whether you are looking at primary or secondary schools will determine your choice of settings. Here are some great tips as to how you can get the most out of your time in one of our schools
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Before you Arrive:
Have some ideas as to what you are most interested in finding out, and share this with your school. This helps them to organise the day around what it is you want to know and to
arrange opportunities to make your visit as useful as possible.
Be sure to make a note of any observations you make and please discuss these with the teachers in your school. This will help you understand expectations in the classroom.
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When you Leave:
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Self-Reflection is a valuable skill you will learn throughout your teacher training. Start using it here by considering what you have learned from your visit.
Will what you have observed impact on your own approach to learning.
Has your view of the teacher’s role in the classroom changed?
Have your skills, knowledge and attitudes changed as a result of this visit?
Have you considered what skills you will need to develop?
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Tips for how to get the most from your experience:
Look at the National Curriculum for KS3 and KS4 in your subject and the National Strategy
What exams are on offer in your subject? Look at the syllabus covered.
How is teaching and learning organised? What strategies are used for behaviour management, differentiation, working with teaching assistants, using technology?
What provision is there for children with Special Needs and Disabilities (SEND)
Make notes on a lesson observation form. The time and research you spend here, can stand you in good stead for excelling during the interview process, as it will very quickly become clear to your interviewer that you have considered your chosen profession at some depth prior to the start of the process.
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Your Day
All experiences will differ slightly, but a typical day could include a tour of the school with students. This is a perfect opportunity to ask our young people what they really think about their teachers, their lessons, and to get a real feel for the school environment. You may receive a timetable of lessons to observe and structured guidance on how to achieve the most out of your experience. You will certainly benefit from full immersion in the subject and department of your choice. And finally, the experience will give you the opportunity to reflect on your experience and to network with existing trainees, former trainees and mentors over lunch.
