Teacher Training & Professional Development

At The Avon Valley School and Performing Arts College, we take great pride in developing our staff and nurturing those new to the teaching profession. As part of this process, we work with and develop individuals from a wide range of institutions and organisations by offering a high quality training experience.

School Experiences

Each year, we receive many requests from individuals seeking school experience, either prior to, or, as part of, an Initial Teacher Training application. Whilst we do accept a number of these requests, it is not possible to accommodate every application. However, each request is considered by the relevant faculty.

If you would like to request a school experience, please contact us by letter or email. To ensure that your request can be processed correctly, please state the purpose and focus of your experience, along with the required duration and preferred date(s).

Initial Teacher Training (ITT)

Each year, we work with a number of Initial Teacher Training institutions to support the training and development of colleagues entering the teaching profession. We are very proud to be recognised as a University of Warwick Enhanced Partnership School through which we collaboratively deliver the school based Professional Studies Programme to a cohort of PGCE trainees.

From September 2012, we are delighted to be working in partnership with Lawrence Sheriff School on the Schools Direct programme as part of the Griffin Alliance.

Previously we have worked with trainees from the following institutions:

  • The Cambridge Partnership

  • Newman University, Birmingham

  • University of Gloucestershire

  • University of Warwick

  • Birmingham City University

  • University of Derby

  • Nottingham Trent University

  • Edge Hill University

  • University of Northampton

  • The Titan Partnership

  • The Robert Owen Group

  • Teach First

  • Loughborough University

All trainees are warmly welcomed to the school and the faculty in which they will work and, during their time with us, will benefit from the support of both a Subject Based Mentor and Professional Tutor. An individual timetable is collaboratively constructed and tailored to suit the individual’s training needs, whilst creating an appropriate level of challenge. In addition, all trainees have access to the knowledge and expertise of experienced colleagues through the school based Professional Development Programme.

If you are interested in becoming a teacher and would like to visit and discuss the prospect as well as observe teaching, this can also be arranged even before application has been submitted to UCAS for a teaching provider.

Newly Qualified Teachers (NQT)

The aim of the induction period is to provide a bridge from Initial Teacher Training to effective professional practice. All Newly Qualified Teachers who undertake their induction at Avon Valley receive support to ease this transition.

The support offered by the school includes:

  • A 10% reduction to the teaching timetable

  • Regular review meetings and lesson observations with an experienced mentor

  • Joint target setting throughout the induction process

  • Access to the knowledge and expertise of experienced colleagues through the school based Professional Development Programme.

  • Support from the school’s Professional Tutor

  • Individual laptop

Continued Professional Development

At The Avon Valley School, we place high importance upon ensuring that our colleagues are able to continue to develop professionally. All teaching colleagues are involved in Teaching and Learning groups that facilitate collaboration and allow staff to share and develop ideas that will lead into good classroom practice.

A number of colleagues have recently completed, or are currently engaged in, educational research and are working towards a Masters qualification in Educational Leadership and Management through The University of Warwick. In addition to this, we also have a number on staff enrolled of the National College Middle Leader Development Programme. Curriculum staff also attend a variety of training courses through the year to enhance their knowledge and delivery within their subject area.

 

Professional Development Contact

Mrs  K Collins
Assistant Headteacher
kcollins@avonvalleyschool.uk