The Graduate Teacher Programme

Introduction

STTORMM is located in Greater Manchester and is a provider of the Graduate Teacher Programme (GTP). STTORMM is amongst the largest Employment-Based Initial Teacher Trainers (EBITTs) in the country and receives an annual allocation of GTP places from the TDA. All GTP placements with STTORMM begin in September each year.
 

TDA priority categories

Places for GTP are allocated in the following three TDA priority categories:

Demand

Demand for primary and non-priority secondary places is very high. A significant number of high-quality primary and non-priority secondary applications are turned down each year, both at shortlisting and following interviews.

There is less competition for priority secondary places, though STTORMM’s recruitment and selection procedures still demand high quality applications.
 

Availability of GTP places

2009/10

All GTP places for 2009/10 have been allocated.

2010/11

STTORMM has received from TDA the following allocation of GTP places for 2009/10:

The Recruitment and Selection Process

STTORMM’s graduate teacher programme recruitment and selection takes place during the spring and summer terms. GTP applications will be reviewed at shortlisting and interviews of shortlisted applicants will follow. Approval by STTORMM of GTP training plans completed by lead schools is the final stage of selection.

All STTORMM Graduate Teacher Progammes begin in September.

Supported Applications

From September 2009 STTORMM accepts Supported Applications from primary, priority secondary and non-priority secondary applicants. Supported Applications require submission of substantial evidence by applicants, as well as significant evidence around the applicant’s teaching potential from lead schools. Lead schools must also detail their experience of ITT and their capacity to meet the requirements of GTP training. Supported Applications are regarded as joint applications, with joint consideration of applicants and schools taking place at recruitment and selection. A representative of the lead school is required to be present at interview.

Securing the support of a lead school is always the responsibility of the applicant. STTORMM’s Local Authority partners may provide advice on local schools which are likely to provide appropriate support for GTP. An approach to local schools is often the best way of securing a supporting school; potential GTs are advised to write to headteachers with a curriculum vitae enclosed. In almost all cases, schools which express an interest in supporting a GTP application will require evidence of an applicant’s classroom practice in that school.

There is no list of participating schools available to applicants. Any school within STTORMMs Local Authority partnership is eligible to support the GTP, with the exception of schools which have been placed in Special Measures. Applicants should also note that where a lead school is under Notice to Improve, consideration of the school’s most recent Ofsted report will inform the selection process.

STTORMM will also consider on a discretionary basis priority secondary applications only which are supported by schools from outside the partner Local Authorities.

Priority Secondary Applications

Those wishing to teach priority secondary application are invited to register their details with STTORMM by completing the priority secondary registration form. The STTORMM Application Support Group offers additional support and advice to those wishing to apply to STTORMM, with the ultimate objective of securing lead schools in advance of submission of Supported Applications.

Unsupported Applications

Currently STTORMM only receives Supported Applications. The opportunity to submit an Unsupported Application may be available in 2010 only to those wishing to teach priority secondary subjects. Those considering a priority secondary application now are encouraged to register with STTORMM by following the advice above.

Offers of GTP Places

Formal offers of GTP places will be always be made by STTORMM and not by schools. It is the responsibility of schools to make arrangements for the employment of graduate teachers.
 

Application requirements

Applicants for GTP must have the following:

• a UK Bachelor’s degree or equivalent;
• GCSE Grade C or above (or equivalent) in Maths and English; and
• GCSE Grade C or above (or equivalent) in Science (primary applicants only).

The award of ALL of the above qualifications must have been made at the point of application. Applications which do not clearly indicate that the above qualifications are in place will not go forward to shortlisting.
 

Equivalence Tests

STTORMM recognises GCSE Equivalence Tests offered by MMU and by Equivalency Testing. For details of MMU Equivalence Tests email info@sttormm.co.uk in the first instance. Information on GCSE Equivalence Tests offered by Equivalency Testing is available at www.equivalencytesting.com.
 

Pre-Interview Checks

All GTP applicants to STTORMM who are invited to interview are required to present evidence which confirms they meet the above application requirements at a Pre-Interview Check. Any interviewee unable to satisfy STTORMM’s pre-interview check requirements will have their offer of a GTP interview withdrawn.

The Qualification Requirements and Pre-Interview Checks download (PDF, 43Kb) details the pre-interview check requirements. Please note that while we aim to provide you full details of the pre-interview check requirements on this website, circumstances may dictate that further requirements are included in interview letters. Information in interview letters will always supersede information published on this website.

The TDA document GCSE and equivalent qualifications for entry to ITT courses (PDF, 56Kb) provides further detail on the entry requirements for Initial Teacher Training.
 

Applying to STTORMM

The next application deadline is Friday 29 January 2010. All primary and non-priority secondary applications will be filled following this deadline. Priority secondary places will continue to be available later in 2010.

The Application Form for Supported Applications is available at the bottom of this page.

Applicants and lead schools are asked to note the key dates listed below.

Recruitment and Selection Diary: Supported applications

General advice on the GTP and Initial Teacher Training

General information on the Graduate Teacher Programme can be researched at www.tda.gov.uk.

STTORMM, in common with all EBITTs, has flexibility to agree protocols which match local requirements. Protocols detailed on this website may differ from those of other providers.

STTORMM advice on the GTP

Applicants are advised to begin by accessing the STTORMM GTP Overview. Schools must be familiar with the content of the STTORMM GTP Overview before making the commitment to support GTP applications.

The STTORMM GTP Training Manual is circulated in hard copy to all GTs and school-based mentors. The Training Manual provides comprehensive details of STTORMM’s provision for GTP training.

The STTORMM GTP Procedures Manual is available as an online resource. The Procedures Manual provides details GTP policies and procedures for STTORMM GTs and schools.

All three resources can be obtained from the downloads section below.

Subject knowledge support

Applicants may wish to consult the TDA website for information on:

• individually tailored subject knowledge booster courses: short courses designed to help you ‘top-up’ your subject knowledge in certain areas, and

• pre-initial teacher training enhancement and extension courses: intensive programmes for graduates who need to develop a greater depth of subject understanding prior to training for qualified teacher status.

If your nominated teaching subject is PE you should refer to the STTORMM Advice for PE Applicants before completing your application.

Downloads

Applicants for the Graduate Teacher Programme will need to download the relevant documents below. STTORMM is committed to electronic communication. Please complete and return the Application Form to applications@sttormm.co.uk as an email attachment.

STTORMM GTP Overview (PDF, 70Kb)
Information about the Graduate Teacher Programme and STTORMM’s procedures, including details of the recruitment and selection process and criteria. Schools must be familiar with the content of the STTORMM GTP Overview before making the commitment to support GTP applications.

STTORMM GTP Training Manual (PDF, 295Kb)

Qualification Requirements and Pre-Interview Checks (PDF, 43Kb)

GCSE and equivalent qualifications for entry to ITT courses (PDF, 59Kb)

Priority Secondary Registration Form (Word, 204Kb)

STTORMM GTP Open Evening 2009-10 Flyer (PDF, 36Kb)

Application forms

Application Form for Supported Applications (Word, 475Kb)
This form is for supported applications only. Applicants and supporting schools should work together on completion of this form.

Training plans

Following successful interviews, applicants will receive conditional offers of GTP places. Conditions will include the completion of appropriate term one training plans by schools. Schools are required to familiarise themselves with the training plan documentation, and to attend a training session before submitting training plans.

Training Plan Form E Primary 2009/10 (Word, 425Kb)

Training Plan Form E Secondary 2009/10 (Word, 428Kb)

Training Plans for subsequent terms are available below. Schools complete and submit training plans for subsequent terms prior to the commencement of that term. These training plans take account of progress made and targets agreed during programmes.

Term 2 E4 Primary 2008/09 (Word, 245Kb)

Term 2 E4 Secondary 2008/09 (Word, 284Kb)

Term 3 E4 Primary 2008/09 (Word, 271Kb)

Term 3 E4 Secondary 2008/09 (Word, 296Kb)

The Q Standards

The Q Standards and ITT Requirements are available at www.tda.gov.uk/partners/ittstandards.aspx.