1. GTP PLACES – “How many GTP training places are available? Do I have a good chance of securing one?”Difficult to answer. The Cambridge Partnership is allocated 60 places by the TDA. Ideally, these numbers are spread equally across the regionThe secondary programme is designed primarily to recruit trainees to the following subjects: Design Technology, Mathematics, Modern Foreign languages, Music, ICT, Religious Studies and Science. There will be some places for highly qualified applicants of other national curriculum subjects.2. "Academically, I completed my A Levels and then went straight to University. I am now about to complete my degree programme. Is the GTP for me?"Acceptance onto the GTP is a competitive process. Experience suggests that there will be a significant number of high quality applications from mature career changers for whom the GTP is primarily designed (see features of the partnership). An important element of the selection procedure is to consider the life and vocational experiences of the applicant and the extent to which they support this intended new and changed career. The Cambridge Partnership will direct many younger applicants who do not have additional responsibilities and commitments to the PGCE programmes within other HE providers.3. GCSE MATHEMATICS/ ENGLISH – “I haven’t got GCSE Maths/English, but I am going to take it in June, can I still apply for GTP?”Yes, but you MUST have secured a GCSE grade C or above (or equivalent) in Maths and English BEFORE your application will be considered and you can be interviewed for a place on the programme. You may have to wait until the next academic year if all places have been allocated. You will need to produce original certificates if you are selected for interview.
You are advised to consult the TDA website to check that you fulfil the requirements to teach in the United Kingdom. Specifically you should check requirements R1.1 - R1.6)
4. GCSE MATHEMATICS/ ENGLISH – “Where can I take GCSE Maths/English? The local FE College will not accept external candidates at this stage of the year.”You can be offered an equivalency test. There is an examination fee payable by the applicant for this service to cover administration costs. Test dates for Mathematics and English will be announced, with the results being published before the closing date for applications (See 3 above). Please note equivalence tests taken with one provider are not always accepted by another. If you have taken an equivalence test already please check with the Partnership if it can be accepted.5. MATHEMATICS DEGREE – “I have a degree in Mathematics, but I haven’t got GCSE Mathematics. Will I need to take GCSE Mathematics?All GTP applicants must have GCSE Mathematics or equivalent. Whilst an A-Level in Mathematics would be acceptable, a degree on its own would not because it is too specialised. 6. DEGREE RESULT– “I will not know the class of my degree until June, can I still apply?You may submit an application at the standard time, but will not be eligible for short-listing for the first round of interviews. You will be added to the reserve list and be notified if a place becomes available.
6.1. DEGREE – “My initial degree is only partially relevant to the subject I wish to teach, e.g. a degree in Business Studies which included Mathematics.” – from a Secondary Mathematics applicant.
For secondary training, the degree must be relevant to the subject choice. A minimum of 50% of the content of the degree needs to be directly related to the subject you wish to teach, there are exceptions one of which is ICT where other qualifications and experience may be taken into account. For all applicants, their other qualifications and experience will help to inform the selection committee. The final decision about the relevance or equivalency of your degree will lie with the Partnership. Consistent criteria will be applied for all post graduate programmes.
6.2 OVERSEAS QUALIFICATIONS– “My initial degree is from an overseas university, am I eligible?”
Possibly, you will need to approach UK NARIC (tel. 0870 9904088) to secure a certificate of confirmation of equivalence. Some public libraries offer access to the NARIC data base at no cost. You will be asked to produce this at interview if it is not attached to your application.
7. SCHOOL EXPERIENCE – “How should I arrange school experience prior to interview?”
All applicants MUST obtain some school experience prior to interview. You should make your own arrangements to visit a maintained school, preferably in your LA. You should arrange with the head teacher to spend some time in classes of the appropriate age range. While you are in school, you should observe teaching and learning within your subject or phase. It would be beneficial to have a discussion with the head of department or key stage coordinator, who should complete the School Experience form which should then be signed by the head teacher. We recommend that all applicants undertake at least five days of school experience, preferably more. The aims of this experience are to confirm your decision to change career, to update your understanding of educational practice (e.g. the literacy and numeracy strategies), to inform the interview and selection process and to support future learning.
Note, whilst experience gained at an Independent school or a state primary school is beneficial and helps to develop an understanding of the process of teaching and learning, it cannot count towards either the pre-selection observation period nor to the programme’s school experience for both of these must be within the maintained secondary sector.
 During the first two terms all trainees will meet once a week, on Fridays, for subject days, conferences or professional studies. All other training is school based.
10. COMMITMENT – “How many hours of study will the training consist of?”
The GTP is a professional training course. It will require the commitment equivalent of a serving full time teacher in terms of the length of school day, plus additional preparatory and academic work. The programme cannot be contained with a particular number of hours per week, you must expect it to consume a large part of your time and you must be prepared to be flexible.
10.1 COMMITMENT – “When am I expected to be in school?”
Firstly, all schools are different! As a trainee following a professional training programme you must expect to be on the school site in much the same way as all teachers and this is typically from about 08.00am until 5.00pm or later. Playing a full part in the work, life and community of the school, you cannot expect to leave with the children! There may be variations during the year, and from school to school, but you will be expected to attend the weekly cycle of meetings within school as part of your commitment.
11. LOCATION OF WORK AND TRAINING - Can I apply to more than one locality in the partnership?"
Applications are processed centrally. If the applicant applies to more than one of the Partnership’s localities, then it is the locality in which they are resident that would normally be considered.
11.1 "Do I have to apply to the LA where I am resident?"
No, all vacancies for training are school funded and managed through the Partnership.
12. PAY – “Will I get paid? How much will it be?”
You will be paid at point one of the unqualified teacher scale pro-rata for a ten month training contract. This will be paid in monthly instalments, subject to tax, NI and pension deductions.
The Cambridge Partnership will secure contrasting school placements as part of your training and in some instances may be able to help in identifying a possible employing school. 14. PREVIOUS WITHDRAWAL FROM INITIAL TEACHER TRAINING – “Is it still possible for me to apply for the GTP?Yes, but you must include within your application a letter, from your previous training body, supporting the reasons for you terminating that programme. This would give you clearance to join a new programme. Please remember that clearance to apply does not guarantee a place.
15. APPLICATIONS TO MORE THAN ONE COURSE - “I am desperate to get a place in teaching and have applied for/will apply for a PGCE place with another HE provider. Can I still apply for the GTP?”
You can apply but any offer of interview will not be made until after the application procedure at the HE provider has been completed.
15.1 "I have been offered/accepted a place on a PGCE course with another HE provider can I still be considered for a place in the Cambridge Partnership?"
The GTP is for applicants for whom PGCE is not suitable/ accessible. If you have accepted a place on a PGCE then you are deemed to consider the PGCE route suitable/accessible.
The Cambridge Partnership will not offer interviews and places to applicants who have already been offered and accepted a place on a PGCE or other GTP course.16. Important information for ALL secondary modern foreign languages applicants:You are expected to have a first and second language at a sufficient level of competence for teaching purposes and to check with the Partnership about the availability of your language combination in schools. |
