For further information please contact: Mrs S Turnbull sturnbull@gillingham-dorset.co.uk
Gillingham School is committed to the provision of first class Initial Teacher Training for all our trainees. We believe that excellent teaching will promote excellent learning and are delighted to be involved in the training of the next cohort of teachers.
- Gillingham School is currently in Partnership with the Mid Somerset Consortium (MSC) and the North Dorset Teaching School Alliance.
- We also provide placements for those seeking ITT who need to be able to demonstrate that they have spent some time in school prior to starting an ITT course.
- We offer training to our cover supervisors and TAs, and support their application for further ITT training where appropriate.
School Direct
Gillingham School is committed to transforming the lives of young people through a persistent focus on successful learning and outstanding teaching. Our distinctive ethos enables our students to flourish and become independent and resilient young people. To find out more about us, please explore the website and view our prospectus.
We are looking for exceptional candidates to join us as part of the School Direct Programme. To join us at Gillingham, you will need a passion for your subject grounded in academic achievement, as well as being dedicated to working with young people in order to transform their lives through education.
Gillingham School is part of the North Dorset Partnership comprised of The Gryphon School, Gillingham School, Shaftesbury School and Sturminster Newton High School. The Partnership works in conjunction with the Mid-Somerset Consortium (MSC) to train suitable candidates for the Postgraduate Certificate in Education (PGCE). The MSC ITT programme is classed as ‘Outstanding’ by Ofsted.
Most of our placements use the ‘fee paying’ route. Trainees pay tuition fees of £9,000, although some trainees may be entitled to a bursary (dependent on subject and degree class). In exceptional circumstances, there may be the opportunity for trainees to follow the salaries option and any trainee who wishes to discuss this is asked to contact the individual school directly.
What is School Direct?
School Direct is a school based route into teaching offered by Gillingham School leading to a Postgraduate Certificate in Education (PGCE). At Gillingham School, in partnership with the Mid-Somerset Consortium (MSC), we recruit and select our own trainees in identified subjects.
Trainees will work alongside our experienced staff and spend a greater proportion of their time in the classroom and in school. Gillingham School has previously worked with a number of providers, including Bath Spa University, and the MSC and has considerable expertise in training teachers. All candidates will follow the full PGCE course offered by the Mid-Somerset Consortium.
The Selection Criteria
- You must have a first or second class UK University degree
- You must have at least a grade C in GCSE English and Mathematics
- You must have passed all the appropriate skills tests
- You will be able to demonstrate a desire to work with secondary aged students
- You will have a commitment to the highest quality of education for all
The Selection Process
Potential trainees will be advised to:
- Spend time at their chosen school prior to interview
- Complete a school specific application form in addition to the School Direct form
Potential trainees who are selected for interview will be informed in writing and given a date for interview. The interview process will include:
- Peer teaching – potential trainees are asked to teach something of their choice to the other trainees and the Selection Panel. “Lesson” to be 10 minutes long
- A meeting with the department – a subject specific group exercise where the potential trainees meet the HoD, the mentor and 1 or 2 other members of the department to assess suitability to work with the department via a subject based discussion
- Leading a discussion with a small group of students – potential trainees are asked to lead a subject related discussion with a group of Y12/Y13 students on a subject related topic/issue. The topic will be provided in advance to the candidates
- Student panel – potential trainees will be interviewed by a panel of students
- Generic lesson observation (1/2 lesson)
- An observation of a lesson (outside of the applicant’s specialism) in conjunction with a member of the Selection Panel. A discussion of the lesson will be part of the final interview
- Formal interview – panel interview with members of the Selection Panel (and if available a member of the appropriate HEI)
