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FAQs

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What is distinctive about the elearnITT Programme?

This 2-year PGCE programme intends to address shortages of Maths, Physics and Chemistry teachers in England by providing a more accessible path to becoming a fully qualified teacher. It offers subject knowledge enhancement alongside teacher training and can accept people from a far wider range of degree and academic backgrounds than traditional programmes.

It is a national programme delivered locally through a combination of online lectures and tutorials, face-to-face tuition and school placement experiences organised through the programme’s national network of Hub Schools. Trainees will be able to access the online elements of the programme in a flexible manner, thereby enabling them to study to become a qualified secondary teacher whilst maintaining other personal and professional commitments.

What does the elearnITT programme offer me?

E-learning opportunities to improve your maths, chemistry or physics subject knowledge through online tuition and assessment, supported by a dedicated tutor and forum. Three out of four parts of the programme are delivered online allowing you to learn whilst maintaining other personal and professional commitments.

You will have opportunities to learn to teach in a unique national network of high performing, experienced schools (Hub Schools) providing you with 24 weeks contrasting school experiences in different schools plus a 1 week attachment to a primary school.

Online learning is integrated with school experience so that each supports and reinforces the other so you understand the relationship between theory and practice and can learn to teach from a secure understanding.

What qualifications do I need to apply for the elearnITT Programme?

At least a grade C in GCSE examination in English and Mathematics or equivalent. A first degree of a UK university of at least 2:2 class or higher in a relevant related subject or another qualification of equivalent standard. If your school leaving qualifications and/or degree was awarded by an overseas institution, you will need to contact NARIC at www.naric.org.uk to get the suitability your qualifications assessed, prior to application.

You must also have a Criminal Records Bureau (CRB) enhanced disclosure check; be able to communicate clearly and accurately in Standard English and possess the appropriate qualities, attitudes and values expected of a teacher. If English is not your first language then you need to have an English proficiency qualification taken in the last two years.

What are the English language requirements?

Hibernia College will only offer an ITT place to applicants who can demonstrate fully through the application and selection process that they can:

  • Read and comprehend written English effectively.
  • Communicate, both in writing and orally, clearly and accurately in Standard English.

Additionally, in the case of applicants whose first language is not English, they will be asked to provide further evidence of English language proficiency.

When is the closing date for applications?

The deadline for applications for the July 2012 cohort is May 28th.

Where will interviews take place?

Interviews will take place in our Hub Schools.

What will happen if I am selected for interview?

Applicants are required to undertake four specific activities:

  • A reading and comprehension activity.
  • A 30 minute individual interview.
  • A ten minute lesson presentation.
  • An observed class activity.

More details will be provided prior to interview.

Can I hold down full-time employment while completing this course?

This is a part-time course so in theory you can be in full-time employment. However there is a sizeable time commitment including 24 weeks of onsite school experience and one week of primary school observation. The School Experience is a full-time commitment and you will not be able to work during these periods.

How much time is spent in school?

24 weeks.

Will I have to find my own placement?

No, for each of the two School Experiences, you will be placed in a school within 90 minutes travelling distance of your home.

When do the live online tutorials take place?

The live online tutorials generally take place Monday-Thursday between 6 and 9pm.

What age range will I be qualified to teach?

If you successfully complete the programme, you will be qualified to teach ages 11-16.

What will it cost?

Fees for Home/EU trainees are to be confirmed but will be £2,500 per annum X 2 years. For overseas students, the fees payable are £20,210 for the two years.

Will I get a bursary?

Total training bursary payable by monthly instalments over the period of the programme: £15,400.

This amount includes the £9,000 ITT bursary plus £6,400 for 16 units of SKE (subject knowledge enhancement).

Trainees following the shorter SKE programme will receive a reduced bursary of £12,200 for those completing 8 units or £13,800 for those completing 12 units.

How do I find out if I am eligible for further financial support?

Subject to designation, home and EU trainees accepted onto this programme may be eligible to apply for loans and grants towards tuition fees and living costs. Home students in England may also be eligible for a student maintenance loan to help towards accommodation and other living costs. This is available through Student Finance England.

Home students in England may also be eligible for a non-repayable maintenance grant. This grant will be means tested and you can apply through Student Finance England. More details about these grants and loans and the funding arrangements for trainees from the EU can be found at www.direct.gov.uk

How do I know if I am eligible for TDA funding?

The following categories of applicants are not eligible:

  • Applicants from overseas, i.e. trainees who do not meet the definition of home or EU trainees. For more information, go to www.ukcisa.org.uk
  • Applicants who are domiciled in the Isle of Man or the Channel Islands.
  • Applicants who already have qualified teacher status (QTS) or who already hold a teaching qualification which is capable of being registered with the General Teaching Council for England and recognised as equivalent to QTS under regulations or reciprocal recognition arrangements.
What sort of salary can I earn?

As a Newly Qualified Teacher (NQT), the current salary scale starts at £21,588 (£27,000 inner London). Some NQTs may be offered more at the discretion of the headteacher. Subject to successful performance management outcomes you will be on an incremental scale that gives you annual increases till you have reached the top of the scale. You may go onto a higher scale if you are a good teacher or achieve excellent or advanced skills teacher status. The maximum salary for these posts is above £50,000 (£60,000 in Inner London). If you get to be a headteacher in a large secondary school you may be able to earn in excess of £100,000! As a teacher of a shortage subject you may have good promotion prospects.