We open with the University of Derby, TEF Gold, and OFSTED Outstanding Provider icons, as the first interviewee talks to us:
Gemma Taylor, Programme Leader:
"My name is Gemma Taylor. I'm the Programme Leader of the Postgraduate Teacher Apprenticeship. The Postgraduate Teacher Apprenticeship is for people already working in schools and the schools are their employer.
We have primary, secondary and SEND routes and it is really beneficial for people who want to earn as they learn. And there are no fees for students.
(We see shots of the University of Derby at Kedleston Road, including the external buildings, #derbyuni letters, and main Atrium space.)
To achieve Qualified Teacher Status, individuals work with us for one day a week and are in their schools for the remaining four days a week, where they can apply theory into practice.
(We see Gemma teaching in class using an interactive board, as students sit amongst educational resources. We also see a student attending remotely with their video on a webcam. We see students using reading books, and creating activities using some basic PE equipment in Kirtley Hall.)
It is similar to other courses in that they have a second school placement, where they go to an alternative key stage and environment for seven weeks of the year. The Postgraduate Teacher Apprenticeship is different from other postgraduate teaching courses, because apprentices get the opportunity to earn as they learn. They have Wednesdays as their study day at the university, and they apply that training back in schools on the other four days of the week.
It has three modules, so they start off focusing on their professional accountability and identity, establishing their role and responsibility in the classroom. They then move on to focus on the learners and how to motivate and engage pupils of all different ages. So we have primary, secondary and SEND options. And finally, they look more closely at the curriculum if they have a subject or age phase specialism and the chance to really dive deeply into that."
Emma Concannon, Teacher Apprentice:
"I found that coming in, one day a week, I'm able to pick up skills, and apply those within my setting that I work in throughout the week. Also, I'm able to, with my work life, bringing my experiences in onto the Wednesday and share those with fellow students and linking it to practice as well."
(We see Emma working with Gemma in the seminar room.)
Dawn Sycamore, Teacher Apprentice:
"Well I'd been in education for about 15 years in various capacities and wanted to qualify as a teacher. But because I'm a very mature student, I needed to have a course that financially supported me. The government support as well helps and then, the course has lots of training both on the job and also in the university, which is the combination that I wanted."
(We see Dawn in Kirtley Hall interacting with the sports PE equipment, then in the reading area of the seminar room, communicating with the other Teacher Apprentices.)
Ewelina Dolbinska, Teacher Apprentice:
"I believe that apprenticeship has given me a great opportunity to develop and refine my practice, within the classroom. As well, as allowing me to deepen understanding and my knowledge."
(We see Ewelina discussing using reading books in the seminar room.)
Gemma:
"The Postgraduate Teacher Apprenticeship meets the Department for Education’s requirements. We cover the core content framework and the 2012 teacher standards to ensure that apprentices get Qualified Teacher Status and also achieve their Apprenticeship Standard.
A successful student on the Postgraduate Teacher Apprenticeship is someone who has got a commitment to working hard to developing their teaching practice and being really reflective on that personal level throughout the peaks and troughs of the journey."
Laura Everett-Li, Early Career Teacher:
"During the year, the structure of the course really aligns with the school year. So having that at the beginning, you're looking at behaviour, you're looking at professionalism, how to act around children, how to act around other professionals, and getting into it because I’ve been a TA before and experienced the school life, but not as a teacher.
So that was quite nice to have that introduction on the course: This is how you need to behave and actually putting that into practice, which is really nice."
(We see Laura discussing with Gemma and Teacher Apprentices in the reading corner of the seminar room.)
Ewelina:
"I have to say, I thoroughly enjoy studying at Derby University. I used to call Wednesday my ‘Treat Day.’ So the ability to teach a variety of lessons four days a week with one day attending lectures at Derby University allow me to gain confidence, deepen understanding, problem my knowledge.
I believe that, the lessons, the way they are designed because they are shrunk into such digestible parts. A great foundation for your further research."
Emma:
"Definitely, I would recommend the course to other students. It's just such a fun, exciting way of learning. And again, I can just stay in the same job that I’m at, I can work and still gain the skills."
(We see other students in the seminar environment.)
Dawn:
"I looked at quite a few options of getting into teaching, and this by far has been the most perfect option for me. And I think, again, if you are that more mature and if you have got a family, then it definitely works really well alongside life. So yeah, I really recommend it."
Gemma:
"The Postgraduate Teacher Apprenticeship is appealing for employers because they get the opportunity to invest in a valued colleague at their school.
They can support that colleague through mentoring and allowing them protected time to complete the course, but they will reap the benefits as the pupils will be able to work with someone with Qualified Teacher Status who can bring that theory into practice."
(University of Derby logo)
Discover the Postgraduate Teacher Apprenticeship (with QTS) at Derby video
Back to Level 6 Postgraduate Teacher with QTS Apprenticeship