One-year teacher training endorsed by GTCS

Teacher prepares classroom - Bart Everson

A course which fast-tracks teachers of science, technology, engineering and maths (STEM) into the school system has been accredited by the General Teaching Council of Scotland (GTCS).

The course, tested at Dundee University, integrates a PGCE with an induction programme, allowing candidates to graduate after one year, six months earlier than usual.

This means primary and secondary STEM teachers will spend more time in the classroom while training, combining post-graduate education with the probation year in teaching

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The new programme will run from January 2018.

Unions have criticised the concept, but the move will be seen as a victory for Education Secretary John Swinney, who has been looking for ways to attract more teachers in STEM.

GTCS Director of Education and Professional Learning, Ellen Doherty, said: “This innovative and exciting model of Initial Teacher Education has been skilfully designed to maximise students’ learning and teaching experience over a one-year period.”

 “We have carefully considered that the correct balance of theoretical understanding and practical application is in place, whilst also ensuring that the programme enables students to develop the competence and confidence required to enter the classroom.”

Scotland’s largest teaching union the EIS warned the new system will put speed over quality.

EIS assistant secretary Andrea Bradley told The Times: “Teachers in schools will be expected to support students as they grapple with the challenge of learning about educational theory simultaneously to applying it as they work with children in the classroom,” she said.

“As it is, the postgraduate and the probationary years demand much from students within relatively short time-spans. Compressing the learning for both into one year is likely to be a bridge too far and may demoralise rather than inspire the next generation of teachers. Dilution of standards within the teaching profession is not the answer.”

Swinney has also invited external bids to develop new routes into teaching.