Union address: Voice
DIPLOMAS DIPLOMAS
So you wanna be a teacher?
The recent
“Of course, your extensive senior management
experience is very attractive to us. You could go
Allison Manning’s
One key challenge for schools preparing to launch
the Diploma is the issue of timetable scheduling.
straight on to the accelerated leadership programme
government
and we’d have you running an academy in no time. school is about to begin
Planning for Additional Specialist Learning (ASL)
and the Extended Project are typical areas that schools
In fact, we could just miss out the qualified teacher will need to consider and think creatively around.
proposals to fast-
status bit if you wanted and you could go straight on
delivery of the Diploma in
Additionally, it will be important for teachers of
to a headship. Functional skills to work closely together to develop
track teachers into the
“No, I’m quite sure that your future colleagues
will welcome you with open arms. They aren’t the
hair and beauty studies.
ways in which we can cross-over the delivery. This
liaison will make it easier to implement the Diploma
kind of people to feel that their own professionalism
profession in six months
is being undermined by this scheme. Any questions
She discusses some of the
effectively.
For the Diploma to be a success, it is important
before we get you started? The pension? Well…” that cross-curricular links are established and Campion
are still reverberating
challenges the preparation
School is keen to ensure that we achieve this.
After hearing the government’s latest back-of-an- Many learning establishments will find this
around our schools. Philip
envelope scheme put together in haste, this was the
for this new qualification
problematic due to the level of communication required
scenario that came to mind. and the amount of time that it will consume.
Parkin offers his view
Fast-tracking people to qualified teacher status
(QTS) in six months is not about quality – it’s
has thrown up
Within our consortium we plan to package the
ASL component of the Diploma, making it dependant
about grabbing headlines about job creation in a upon demand. Learners therefore have the opportunity
“SO, SIR Fred, you’re interested in becoming a recession. It erodes the value of existing training N 2008, the UK education system underwent to choose whether they take a GCSE as their ASL
teacher. and the work of those undertaking and delivering it,
misunderstands the nature of teaching, and devalues
the profession of teaching and current teachers.
Teaching is about far more than having knowledge;
it’s about having the ability to communicate that
, but we don’t need to knowledge and the aptitude to work with children. I
a major shake-up following the launch of the component or something to complement their hair and
“Only 50 – plenty of time for a successful teaching new Diploma qualification. An initial five lines beauty Diploma.
career then, and the prospects are very good. In four- of learning were introduced and an additional Although the Diploma has been subject to scrutiny
and-a-half years’ time you could be running a school. five are set for roll-out in September 2009. within the media, we look forward to incorporating
“Now, let’s talk about your qualifications. No, Lines of learning for the second it into the curriculum and predict that it will be a
you’re not a qualified teacher phase of the Diploma launch valuable, worthwhile and popular qualification, and
worry about that if you’re a suitable applicant. You Such a speeded-up scheme undermines the work include hair and beauty studies, hospitality, particularly well received at Campion School.
can have qualified teacher status in six months if of recent years to raise the status of teaching and to information technology, manufacturing, and Our Diploma is from the not-for-profit awarding
you’re the kind of person we’re looking for. move to a Master’s-level profession. public service, and by 2011 there will be 17 body VTCT and we are in a strong position to offer
“Now we’re doing quite well with filling most Six months is just too short a period of time Diplomas in total. it because we already run a successful VTCT
teaching posts and the numbers of applicants for to acquire the minimum skills and knowledge With the launch of any new Level 2 Certificate in hairdressing, and have
training are going up at the moment. In fact, there are required to be a successful teacher and to be able to qualification, naturally a number of received a great level of interest from learners
some qualified teachers who can’t get jobs. We’re just demonstrate that they have been acquired. issues will arise, particularly in the case enquiring about taking the Diploma next
a bit short of people to teach maths and science. Oh, The current training routes into the profession of secondary schools, where young year.
and we need to fill the odd headteacher post as well. I are well established and perfectly able to meet students will be expected to spend a
don’t suppose you could help us out there could you? the needs of new entrants, allowing a number of certain number of hours in college
Conveying information
“What’s that? You can do maths involving very flexibilities and options. There is no need for this and work-based environments. Another way that schools can facilitate
large numbers. Well, that sounds very promising. new route nor, do I believe, is there any demand for Campion School and Community smooth implementation is through ensuring
You make mistakes with your adding up sometimes? it. Outside certain subjects, there is not a shortage of College, a business, enterprise and that parents are fully informed and updated.
Well, we all make little mistakes, don’t we? That’s just recruits and there are NQTs who are struggling to visual arts college in Leamington Some parents may be apprehensive about the
human nature. No need to worry about that. It sounds find employment. Spa, is looking forward to delivering qualification, due to it being so new.
as if you’re very suitable for an accelerated teaching On the one hand, the government mistakenly the hair and beauty studies Diploma We are attempting to reassure parents
programme. Just the kind of person we need. Well complains that competence issues among teachers later this year. and guardians so that they can be
qualified, plenty of life experience. Excellent. are not being dealt with vigorously, while on the The implementation of the confident of its merit by offering
“Children? Yes, you would have to teach children. other hand it proposes a scheme to give new entrants Diploma creates various the chance to have queries
Are you good with children? Can you empathise QTS after an inadequately short training period. challenges, which, on the answered. We scheduled an
with them? Could you help them to achieve their It is a shame that the government didn’t consult whole, we look forward to. open evening for parents and
potential? the unions and other partners before announcing this. However, these challenges learners this month to fully
“Oh, I see. You were very good at identifying and will need to be considered explain the Diploma and
dealing with employees’ weaknesses and deficiencies • Philip Parkin is general secretary of Voice. Visit in detail to ensure they are how it will work. This
in your previous job. www.voicetheunion.org.uk addressed and managed event included all the
effectively. information required
Make the Grade
AQA GCSE (IGHER
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AQA
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CSE
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GCSE
Anneli McLachlan
Leanda Reeves
Make the Grade!
Make the Grade!
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GCSE
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Media
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14 SecEd • March 26 2009
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