The scheme enables students to gain experience of teaching and learning with children before deciding if they would like to embark on a career in teaching and any professional education. The scheme combines three taught sessions, with a paid 15 day school placement (£40 a day).
The Training and Development Agency (TDA) fund the Student Associate Scheme. This scheme enables students to gain understanding and insight of teaching and learning with children together with practical classroom experience. This is an exciting opportunity for students that have or have not chosen teaching as a career option.
The Student Associate Scheme is designed to support participants to:
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Support the teaching of shortage subjects in both the secondary and primary phases by drawing upon their own subject knowledge expertise.
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Act as a role model in schools to encourage pupils to view higher education in a positive light.
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Provide an opportunity for participants to experience aspects of teaching and learning to inform a possible future career choice.
It is hoped that participants will promote higher education and provide a role model of a university student, since widening participation in higher education is a key aim of the scheme.
The programme consists of:
1. Three full days of taught sessions. Participants must fully attend the taught programme to be eligible for the school placement.
2. 15 days of school experience in a placement scheduled between May and July to suit individual commitments. This gives participants the opportunity to observe lessons, assist the teacher and take part in some group teaching tasks.
3. Completion of a portfolio aligned to 14 core goals in a training entry profile. Participants will be able to record their experience and development.
Participants will have been selected for either a Secondary or Primary focus.