Information about Schools Direct

Brookfields School is involved with 2 Teaching Schools and offers placements for Schools Direct through both consortium's. Please see below for more information about Palmerston and The Heath.
Brookfields School is a strategic partner to the Heath Teaching School in Runcorn and we are involved in the Schools Direct Programme. The Heath School is Lead School for Teacher Education Across Merseyside (TEAM) consortium and we work in partnership with Liverpool John Moores University (LJMU).  Brookfields School has a strong commitment to providing outstanding Initial Teacher Training.
 
During the academic year 2015-16 we had our first 2 trainees completing their programme with us. Since then we have trained at least 2 trainee teachers each year.
 
School Direct is a relatively new route into teaching where trainee teachers work in a home school for the majority of their training. There are two routes to go down:
  • School Direct trainee programme
  • School Direct salaried programme

Accreditation for the Post Graduate Certificate of Education (with Qualified Teacher Status) is awarded by John Moores University. The intention of School Direct is to create a deeper partnership between schools and universities. A lead school works in partnership with the university and other schools, as a group which is referred to as a consortium. Although there are no guarantees, every effort is made to employ School Direct trainees within their consortium, upon successfully gaining QTS.

What does our programme look like?


For the School Direct training route you would complete a one week induction in August at Liverpool John Moores University (our partner university), following induction you will start in September in Brookfields school and be part of the staff team from day one. There will be a second placement of six+ weeks in a contrasting school within the consortium, to help you gain a breadth of experience to prepare you for your NQT year. As we have a vast range of schools within the current consortium we are also able to arrange days at Primary, Secondary and other Special schools to support you to develop in areas specific to your needs.

You will start off by observing lessons and noting what makes a good teacher and strategies used and gradually you will begin to teach. You can expect regular feedback from experienced and high performing teachers.  You will be supported by a mentor who will meet with you weekly to guide your progress, share their expertise and help you set targets.  You will also be placed in a class and work alongside an experienced teacher in order to gain the full range of experience required. If areas of further development are identified you will be offered opportunities for experience in different age groups in order for you to meet your needs.

Comments from previous Schools Direct Trainees who were based at the Heath School:

“At the Heath School I didn’t feel like a trainee, I felt like a valued member of the team. Staff at the school are extremely supportive and passionate about education; there is always someone to talk to or ask for advice. At the end of my training year I was offered a job at The Heath School and am now an NQT. School Direct has allowed me to grow with the school and to become a part of the Heath family” - Sam Brady (Teacher of Food&Textiles)

“School Direct offers a hands on approach to teaching training which made me feel very much involved in the day to day life of the school. I was able to observe and teach lessons with support and guidance from experienced members of staff, as well as the provision of the university. I feel that being based in the school helped me to gain the knowledge and understanding of what it is like to be a teacher and how the school runs. After completing my training at The Heath, I was offered a job! I definitely would recommend TEAM for School Direct if you’re thinking about training to become a teacher”- Jo Brennan (Teacher of Drama)

“I feel that the training received from TEAM has been highly influential on the progress I made this year during my PGCE course.

From the start of my year at The Heath I have thoroughly enjoyed the overall experience. From day one I was made to feel welcome by all the staff I met and worked with, being able to approach them for help or advice in any aspect”- James Arthur (School Direct Biology trainee)

 

For more details about the programme and initial queries related to School Direct and TEAM consortium please contact School Direct Assistant based at The Heath on telephone 01928 576664.