Gateshead Primary SCITT

What Current Trainees Say About Us...

"I feel the course had been brilliant value for money so far, I am more than happy with outings, lectures, resources etc. I also think the staff are very helpful and supportive and have spoken to other trainees who say the same."
"Excellent organisation and structure. I felt that I was on the best course with high calibre lecturers and support staff."
"We were made to feel extremely welcome and clear about what the course entailed and what was expected of us. Every session was very clear and the information given was always very informative and useful. All members of staff have been extremely helpful and reassuring."

"Very good structure - enthusiastic/inspiring lecturers. Training co-ordinators very supportive/encouraging."
"Very good at helping you settle in. Good resources."
"Everyone has been very welcoming & all lecturers are enthusiastic about modules/course. Fantastic resources."
"Excellent organisation and layout of the course future tasks."

Successful applicants are invited to a selection day. During the selection day, candidates are requested to present a short presentation, work with a small group of children, complete written assessments for English and Mathematics and answer questions at interview.
Selection is carried out by Headteachers and Professional Tutors from the Gateshead 3-7 SCITT and Consortium Schools.

Trainees are assessed in a number of ways throughout the course:
Teaching is assessed during school experience placements. During these periods trainees are expected to take charge of the whole class for the majority of the period, with support from an experienced teacher.
Subject knowledge and understanding are developed through both compulsory and optional Curriculum Studies modules. This element of the course consists of study activities, school-based tasks, discussions, reading, teaching activities and structured observations.
Train to Teach in Gateshead

Professional Studies modules aim to develop secure professional knowledge and understanding related to planning, teaching and class management, monitoring, assessment and record keeping.
Trainees must successfully complete Curriculum and Professional Studies assignments linked to the standards for Qualified Teacher Status (QTS).
A record of Professional Development allows trainees to focus their learning in relation to the standards for QTS and their ability to meet the standards.

Gateshead 3-7 SCITT recognises that it has a moral and legal responsibility to promote equal opportunities and that it is essential to pursue equality of opportunity as an essential dimension of productive and professional activity.

We are, therefore, committed to providing equal opportunities in training and are concerned that we do not unfairly discriminate against any applicant or trainee for any reason.

Gateshead 3-7 SCITT welcomes applications from all sections of the community and considers applicants for training on the basis of qualifications, skills, abilities and experience.

Gateshead 3-7 SCITT welcomes applications from under-represented groups, in particular, people with disabilities and minority ethnic groups and male applicants.

Selection decisions for training places are based solely on people's merit and ability to become successful teachers.

Gateshead 3-7 SCITT consists of a consortium of Gateshead schools and Newcastle Nursery Schools that are committed to high quality Initial teacher Training. These schools include a Training School. The schools are able to provide experienced teachers who are trained in supporting trainee teachers.
The Lead School: Lobley Hill Primary School
Lobley Hill Primary School is the Lead School for the Gateshead 3-7 SCITT. Over recent years a close relationship between Lobley Hill Primary School, Newcastle University and Northumbria University has developed.

As a result of Lobley Hill's involvement in initial teacher training the school gained Training School status. The partnership extends in relation to both teacher training and Continuing Professional Development with Gateshead LEA and the universities. Gateshead 3-7 SCITT is in a unique position to draw upon existing expertise and skills to provide quality teacher training

Gateshead 3-7 SCITT Partnership Schools

Lobley Hill Primary School
Rothbury Gardens
Lobley Hill,Gateshead
NE11 0AT

Carr Hill Community Primary School
Carr Hill Road, Gateshead
NE9 5NB

Dunston Hill Community Primary School
Dunston Bank, Dunston Gateshead
NE11 9PY

South Street Community Primary School
Cramer Street, Gateshead
NE8 4BB

The Drive Community Primary School
The Drive, Felling, Gateshead
NE10 0PY

Windy Nook Primary School
Albion Street, Gateshead
NE10 9BD

Fell Dyke Community Primary
Springwell Road, Gateshead
NE9 7AA

Falla Park Community Primary School
Fall Park Road
Felling
Gateshead
NE10 9HP

Gateshead 3-7 SCITT Associate Schools
Ashfield Nursery School
Elswick Road, Newcastle upon Tyne
NE4 6JR

Atkinson Road Nursery School
Atkinson Road, Newcastle upon Tyne
NE4 8XT

Bensham Grove County Nursery
Sidney Grove, Gateshead
NE8 2XD

Bridgewater Early Years Centre
Axwell Park View
Newcastle upon Tyne
NE15 6NR

Cruddas Park Early Years Centre
Brunel Terrace, Newcastle upon Tyne
NE4 7NL

Fellside Community Primary School
Fellside Road, Whickham
NE16 4AD

High Spen Primary School
High Spen, Gateshead
NE39 2BQ

Monkchester Road Nursery School
Monkchester Road, Newcastle upon Tyne
NE6 2LJ

Newburn Manor Nursery School
Townfield Gardens, Newcastle upon Tyne
NE15 8PY

Oakfield Infant School
Chowdene Bank
Gateshead
NE9 6JH

Parkhead Community Primary
Park Lane
Winlaton
NE21 6LT

Portobello Primary School
Tamerton Drive
Birtley
Chester-le-Street
DH3 3LY

Rowlands Gill Infant and Nursery School
Sherburn Park Estate
Rowlands Gill
NE39 1QT

Ryton Community Infants School
Ryton, Gateshead
NE40 3AF

South Tyneside Early Excellence Centre
Campbell Park Road
Hebburn
NE31 1QY

St Mary's and St Thomas Aquinas Catholic Primary School
Stella Lane,
Blaydon,
Gateshead
NE21 4NE

Walkergate Early Years Centre
Shields Road
Newcastle upon Tyne
NE4 4XW

Wardley Community Primary
Kier Hardy Ave, Gateshead
NE10 4RB

Whickham Parochial CoE Primary School
Broadway
Whickham
NE16 5QW

Trainees have the use of the Gateshead 3-7 SCITT study resources, including full access to Northumbria University's library and resource facilities, ICT facilities including Internet access, and study facilities at the SCITT.

More Information about Northumbria University's Learning Resources

The Graduate Teacher Training Registry is an admissions service operated by the Universities and Colleges Admissions Service (UCAS) which acts on behalf of Initial Teacher Training (ITT) providers in England and Wales, and all Scottish Teaching Education Institutions (TEIs), except the University of Paisley which handles its own applications, to process applications for entry to their pre-service Postgraduate or Professional Graduate Certificate in Education (PGCE) courses.

Apply Online with GTTR

Lobley Hill Primary School received Training School Status in September 2001. We provide a programme of activities to promote and demonstrate high quality initial teacher training including support and advice to other schools in the locality, training and development for trainee teachers and staff.
Visit Lobley Hill Primary School weblog

On 30th October 2004 the Teacher Training Agency awarded accreditation to the Gateshead 3-7 SCITT as a provider of initial teacher training. A group of schools led by Lobley Hill Primary School now work as a consortium in partnership with Northumbria University and Gateshead L.E.A. to provide school based teacher training in the Gateshead area.
Graduates wanting to become teachers can apply for this teacher training course through the Graduate Teacher Training Registry (GTTR). Qualified Teacher Status and a Professional Graduate Certificate in Education can be achieved through this course which is delivered by Gateshead schools, Gateshead LEA and Curriculum Consultants. The SCITT offers a flexible route into teaching based on individual training needs and utilises the vast expertise that exists with the consortium schools.

Lobley Hill Primary School has developed a high profile within teacher training as a DfES designated Training School. Alan Tricoglus, the headteacher, was seconded to the post of Primary PGCE course director at Newcastle University for two years prior to the accreditation of the Gateshead 3-7 SCITT. Many teachers from the consortium schools undertake lecturing and tutoring roles within the local universities. There is a wealth of expertise available to trainee teachers through the Gateshead 3-7 SCITT.

WHY TRAIN TO TEACH WITH THE GATESHEAD SCITT?
The schools involved with this Initial Teacher Training Course have a strong commitment to delivering high quality teacher training. The lead school, Lobley Hill Primary, has extensive experience in Initial Teacher Training and has designated Training School Status from the Department for Education and Skills.
In partnership with other Gateshead schools, University of Northumbria at Newcastle and Gateshead Council, the Gateshead 3-7 SCITT provides excellent facilities and resources. Gateshead is one of the best performing Local Education Authorities and Northumbria University has a reputation for quality teacher education.
In a report published in 2006, Ofsted recognised the outstanding quality of training, outstanding management and quality assurance and very good standards achieved by the trainees - ranking the Gateshead 3-7 SCITT among the country's top ten percent of teacher training provision.
Gateshead 3-7 SCITT can offer you:
• High quality Initial Teacher Training

• The opportunity to train within excellent schools

• A one year or two year training course

• Qualified teacher status for the 3-7 age range

• A flexible training route matched to your individual requirements

• High quality school based experiences within the Gateshead area

• The professional certificate in education (PGCE) validated through Northumbria University

• The benefits associated with being a Northumbria University student

The flexibility of training
There are a number of special features of the programme related to the flexible nature of the training. Compulsory and flexible modules are identified and the course uses a variety of models of training and modes of learning to ensure that the training is flexible. This flexible course is distinctive in the following ways:
- Enabling trainees to complete the PGCE and be recommended for QTS over either 3 or 6 terms depending on their circumstances;
- Recognising that trainees may have significant prior experience and achievement it maybe possible for trainees to gain exemption from some modules. Trainees will be expected to present evidence of prior experience and achievement in order to gain exemption from aspects of the programme;
- An individual's training programme will be developed in recognition of his/her prior experiences and achievements. The process of audit of prior experiences and achievement will be carried out and will be continued on an ongoing basis in a review and action planning process responding to individual progress and achievement.

However, it is also important to note that there are limits to the flexibility of the programme as trainees:
- Will only be offered a 3 term or 6 term training programme;
- Must carry out 5 compulsory modules;
- Must complete all assessed placements in Gateshead 3-7 SCITT schools;
- Must complete all School Based Tasks in Gateshead 3-7 SCITT schools.
Learning Opportunities
A wide range of opportunities for learning have been built into the design of the programme including the following:
- Lectures and workshops delivered at Lobley Hill Primary School to consider the theoretical and research base related to all curriculum and professional studies and develop trainees' subject knowledge and pedagogical knowledge in each area;
- School Based Tasks linked to each curriculum and professional studies module to help the trainee make connections between theoretical understanding and applications in the classroom in relation to all aspects of teaching and learning;
- Experience of Early Years practice and the opportunity to consider in depth a range of Early Years issues, for example, international perspectives on Early Childhood Education, the roles and responsibilities of the range of agencies involved in the care of young children and the learning and development of very young children;
- Participation in the High Scope Implementation Course;
- Opportunities for trainees to observe and work alongside good teachers in their chosen age range.

Working with teachers
The programme includes a range of opportunities for trainees to work alongside teachers with expertise in the Foundation Stage and Key Stage 1.
This is achieved through:
- The wide range of quality schools and other settings participating in the partnership. Trainees will be involved with upto 4 schools during the year;
- The linking of 4 trainees to a host school;
- The timing of opportunities for observation and teaching to ensure that quality practice can be observed and shared;
- The taught elements of the programme will be delivered through face to face training, observing Practitioners and participating in training offered in schools and self supported study.