can trainee/assistant teachers work in schools full time

shelovestobuystuff

I have just been tolds today by some of the mums in the playground that out children are to have another new trainee teacher next year.Surprised as I didnt even know their current teacher was a trainee teacher.
This is in scotland so if anyone lknows how it works up here please tell me.
I checked the university course details for P.Ed under andpost graduate and none of those allow an unqualified teacher who is their final year at uni to teach a class for this length of time.My dd has had this teacher for the whole of 2nd year and there are actually 2 teachers,the trainee(this is what the other mums call her)has them 2-3 days and the other teacher has them the rest of the time.
They are angry that our children will be guinee pigs again for another year next year.I would see their point if it was accurate but honestly I think they must have their wires crossed somewhere as I really dont see that an unqualified student teacher who is still at uni some of the time would be allowed to teach like this.
So what are the rules in scotland?Is there maybe a probationery period after qualifying?

Nicki

I'm not sure if the rules are different in Scotland, but in England certainly a teacher on the Graduate Training Programme can teach for a full year as she qualifies as a teacher. See here: http://www.tda.gov.uk/partners/recruiting/ebr/gtp/gtpfaq.aspx

Also newly qualified teachers in England are released from the classroom for a day a week for further training and mentoring, in addition to their allocated non contact time, so it is not uncommon with an NQT teacher for the class to have two teachers allocated to share the work.

If concerned though, the best person to ask is the headteacher of your child's school, who should have no reason to be less than open with you.

tamlem

shelovestobuystuff wrote: »

I have just been tolds today by some of the mums in the playground that out children are to have another new trainee teacher next year.Surprised as I didnt even know their current teacher was a trainee teacher.
This is in scotland so if anyone lknows how it works up here please tell me.
I checked the university course details for P.Ed under andpost graduate and none of those allow an unqualified teacher who is their final year at uni to teach a class for this length of time.My dd has had this teacher for the whole of 2nd year and there are actually 2 teachers,the trainee(this is what the other mums call her)has them 2-3 days and the other teacher has them the rest of the time.
They are angry that our children will be guinee pigs again for another year next year.I would see their point if it was accurate but honestly I think they must have their wires crossed somewhere as I really dont see that an unqualified student teacher who is still at uni some of the time would be allowed to teach like this.
So what are the rules in scotland?Is there maybe a probationery period after qualifying?

Do they actually mean "trainee" or do they mean, probationer ie. they are fully trained academically, so to speak, but in their first, probationary year of teaching ?

I understand the concerns some parents have with these issues but have to say, from a parental and professional viewpoint, that I have no issue with my children being taught by probationers.

They are fresh from training, so up to date with the latest research and they also have a great deal of enthusiasm for the job. My youngest (of 4) is nearing the end of a fantastic year with a probationer who has been fabulous academically and in terms of her care and dedication to the children in her class.

The vast majority of teachers who I have had concerns with over the years (and there haven't been too many) have been those who are nearing retiremement, using out of date practices and not enjoying what they do anymore. I am fully aware that the majority of teachers nearing retirement do an excellent job and have a wealth of experience as well as keeping up to date with new practice.

I would say, give all teachers a fair chance to prove themselves without judging them on the basis of how long they have been trained. They are trained professionals and will get extra guidance and monitoring in their probationary year.

tamlem

Also, you can look at www.probationerteacherscotland.org.uk for more info.
Good luck

natmour

If anything, these "trainee" teachers would do a lot more lesson planning then teachers who have been teaching for years making sure that the children are achieving everything they should be. As a trainee teacher myself, I know that a hell of a lot of planning goes into every lesson and also lesson evaluations are done so that the trainee teachers can see what went well, what didn't go well and how the children progressed so they can change the next lesson to suit the needs of the children. Also after studying education at university the trainee teachers have just learnt about new and relevant theories about teaching which can be put into place. So don't see children as being guinea pigs.

shelovestobuystuff

I think this teacher is fantastic by the way,its just that I didnt know she was a trainee/probationer or whatever she is.I totally agree that the enthusiasm a fresh person has is good for the kids.Apparantly some of the mums appear to be aware that she is in her 4th and final year at uni.
Bit late in the school year now with 3 weeks left until the end of term for me to find out and wonder if it matters but I will definately find out what the situation is with the next new teacher.Not that it is detremental,probably the opposite,its just that I would like to know these things.

VeganClaire

There may also be other advantages to having a newly qualified/training teacher.
Graduate teacher programme and PGCE courses are very competative so this person will be very highly motivated and committed to teaching. As well as having learn't the latest research as other people have said this person will proberly have more energy and enthusiasm as they won't have experienced years of stress and other teachers have had. Newly qualified teachers and not (usually) required to be a subject coordinator - giving them a little more time and energy to devote to their class. Teachers go through a lot of course training and placements before they are allowed to work with a class on their own it won't be this person's first experience. Hope this gives you some reassurance.

Opps seem to have covered lots of other things people have already said.

mhagster

I would imagine that the teacher is a probationary teacher, who has qualified after 4 years at university.As far as I'm aware, currently in Scotland, graduates are guaranteed 1 years experience in a school. My dd2 has had a probationary teacher p1,p2 and p3. She is nearly finishing P4 with an experienced teacher.

Her probationary teachers have all been enthusiastic and keen to prove their worth, they after all want a job at the end of the year. In my area Primary teaching jobs are very scarce ,so lots of people going after 1 job. these teachers will also have a mentor, a more senior teacher working with them and the class.

I know other parents were concerned at 'inexperience' of teachers but they have to learn , are full of new and current trends , are keen to prove themselves and should be well supervised. I wouldn't worry too much!