Get a taste of life as a teacher (From Yeovil Express)

Get a taste of life as a teacher

12:29pm Thursday 14th January 2010

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STUDENTS in Somerset are being offered the chance to get a taste of life as a teacher this summer.

Placements are available thanks to the Children and Young People’s Directorate at Somerset County Council.

Up to 100 placements will be on offer in Somerset schools, children’s centres, and within the children and young people’s workforce team – where students would get an insight into the authority’s broader role supporting children – for those in higher education this year.

The three-week placements, which are paid, are aimed at students not already on a course leading to teaching, but who might be interested in a career in teaching or the children’s workforce.

Interviews for placements take place in late March, during the Easter vacation, and the placements themselves will be from June 24 to July 14.

They will follow a three-day intensive induction and training course.

Participants will have a work-based mentor, and will share the life of the school, nursery or children’s centre alongside experienced teachers and other practitioners, getting involved in the real day-to-day work and learning new skills.

Part of the students’ role will be to help raise attainment and aspirations for other young people who may not have considered a university career.

Over 60 students took part in the scheme last year. Feedback was very positive and some have already signed up for teacher training courses.

The project in Somerset is run by the Integrated Workforce Development Team.

As one aim of the scheme is to increase teacher numbers in shortage subjects, priority for secondary school placements is likely to be given to students with maths and science A-levels.

Recruitment to the scheme is well underway – call Ros Moreton on 01823-410100.

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