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  • Training to teach

Training to teach

As a trainee teacher on any of our initial teacher training courses you will have multiple opportunities to put your teaching theory into practice.

Our staff will ensure that you are well prepared for each phase of school-based training, and that you have all the support and guidance you need to make the most of these opportunities.

During school-based training you will be supported by mentors and more experienced colleagues. They will help you to develop the skills and insights necessary to become both a competent and a confident teacher.

Each year we organise 2,500 school-based training opportunities which take place in over 600 schools in the south east. Ofsted has identified our approach as a key strength of our courses, which provide our trainees with an excellent balance between university tuition and school-based training.

On this page you will find information about:

  • DBS and occupational health checks
  • trainee travel claims
  • organising your school-based training
  • trainee handbooks.

We have a page of resources for trainee teachers to help develop your expertise in key areas. You will also find school-based training and mentor-related documents on the School-Based Training blog.

Partnership Office

Room A308 Checkland Building
Falmer, Brighton BN1 9PH

General enquiries

  • educationplacements@brighton.ac.uk
  • +44 (0)1273 643411
  • +44 (0)1273 642932

Partnership coordinator, deputy head of school (partnership and engagement) Sarah Fitzjohn-Scott

  • s.fitzjohn-scott@brighton.ac.uk

DBS and occupational health checks

Occupational health 

Occupational Health Questionnaire - Fitness to Teach

Teacher training courses involve practice placements that you need to complete successfully to achieve your chosen qualification. We are required to ensure that you meet the professional standards of being physically and mentally fit to practice before you start your placements. We assess you through an Occupational Health Questionnaire which will be sent to you.

Completing your questionnaire
It is important that you explain about any health conditions and treatment you are receiving so where possible, we can make reasonable adjustments to support you through your course.

Prior to you starting the course, you will be contacted by our chosen Occupational Health Provider. The university will let you know when you can expect this.

It is vital that you complete the paperwork in good time as this is a requirement for going in to school.

How long does it take?
Occupational Health checks can take at least six weeks so please allow plenty of time for any follow up questions and reply as soon as possible. You will not be able to start any placements without your Occupational Health clearance in place.

Please email clearancechecks@brighton.ac.uk if you think there may be any delay in sending your form in. If there are any health related issues, please contact Occupational Health directly by email at the address provided above.

DBS - postgraduate students

Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) Enhanced Disclosure
Teacher training courses require a DBS Enhanced Disclosure.

When you are offered a place on a postgraduate teacher training course you should ensure you apply for your DBS as soon as possible, and no later than two months prior to the start of the course.

You will not be permitted to start your course and cannot undertake any placements if you fail to obtain a satisfactory DBS.

Documentation
Only certain forms of identification are acceptable for DBS Enhanced Disclosure. Download a list of DBS forms of acceptable identification (pdf doc).

How to get your DBS Enhanced Disclosure
Our DBS instructions provides advice and details about the current application process.

DBS - undergraduate students

Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) Enhanced Disclosure
Teacher training courses require a DBS Enhanced Disclosure.

When you are offered a place on an undergraduate teacher training course you should ensure you apply for your DBS as soon as possible, and no later than two months prior to the start of the course.

You will not be permitted to start your course and cannot undertake any placements if you fail to obtain a satisfactory DBS.

Documentation
Only certain forms of identification are acceptable for DBS Enhanced Disclosure. Download a list of DBS forms of acceptable identification (pdf doc).

How to get your DBS Enhanced Disclosure
Our DBS instructions provides advice and details about the current application process.


Trainee travel claims

Claims

The School of Education is not funded to pay trainees' travel expenses but will, while funding allows, make a contribution to additional travel costs incurred while on school-based training.

Both the university and the trainee make a contribution to expenses incurred. Trainees must pay the first £3.00 per day (or more, depending on the distance between your term-time address and the university).

You will need to fill in and return the following claim forms:

  • Advance Claim Form
  • Placement Experience / Final Claims Form

Queries

If you have a query about your travel claim, please email it to EducationTravelClaims@brighton.ac.uk so that we can consult our files and explain our calculations to you in writing.

You may also find this PowerPoint presentation useful.

School Experience Advance

To help with the advance purchase of season tickets or high car/motorcycle mileage (minimum £60):

  • This must be submitted no later than three weeks after the start of your school-based training. Otherwise, you can only make a retrospective claim.
  • 75% of your claim will be paid on submission of this advance; the remaining 25% is paid on submission of a School Experience Claim at the end of your school-based training, with verification of attendance and tickets where public transport is used.
  • If you do not submit a Placement Experience Claim at the end of your school-based training you will be required to repay the advance.

School Experience Claim

One claim at the end of your school-based training. All claims must be submitted by 1 July.

Please allow enough time for your school to confirm the number of days you attended your school-based training.

If you travelled by public transport, you must submit all tickets (or receipts) with your claim, as journeys without receipts cannot be reimbursed. Please group journeys on the form itself and associated tickets into daily/weekly/monthly for speedier processing.

You must obtain the cheapest ticket(s) for your journey. Monthly/ weekly tickets are often cheaper even if you are only in school for three days a week. Please check before you travel. There is a special Unizone ticket for trainee rail travel among stations between East Worthing and Eastbourne.

Those driving to their school-based training can claim 16p per mile. Those who are able to offer a lift to another trainee can claim 20p per mile for the first passenger, 22p per mile can be claimed for 2 passengers, or 24p per mile for 3 passengers. Ensure that you note the name and address of your passenger on the form. Only the driver may claim for travel expenses.

We do not cover vehicle fuel and maintenance costs and cannot accept petrol receipts, odometer readings or repair bills.

We cannot cover taxi expenses.

Frequently asked questions

How do I project my costs as a driver?

Using the AA Route Planner, calculate the actual mileage from your term time address to the school. As this is a one-way journey, you will need to double it for your daily mileage. Depending on whether or not you have passenger/s, you multiply the mileage by the mileage rate to get a daily rate. Then multiply the daily rate by the number of days on school-based training.

It doesn't cost me anything to get to the university so why must I deduct this from my claim?

The university is subject to strict regulations regarding the use of public funding. Both the university and the trainee make a contribution to expenses incurred. Trainees must pay the first £3.00 (or more depending on the distance between your term-time address and the university.)

How and when will I receive my money?

Your money will be transferred directly to your account by our finance department. You will receive written confirmation of this by email. You should allow 4-6 weeks for this, especially in the busy period following the end of your school-based training.

Can I claim for any other visits to school other than my ‘main’ school experience?

No, we are unfortunately unable to cover these costs.

Further information

Trainees using their own vehicles to transport themselves and fellow trainees on university business, must ensure that the vehicle is appropriately insured, taxed and has a valid MOT certificate.

The Partnership Office reserves the right to withhold payment to any trainee who claims travel by car if they did not disclose they had a car on their School Experience Placement Request forms.

Organising your school-based training

How it works

We work hard to ensure that school-based training opportunities give you valuable and varied experiences with the age group you are qualifying to teach.

You will be asked to complete a placement information form when you start your course. We will use this information to match you to a suitable school setting. We will consider your previous experience, travelling distance, the age phases you need to teach, and your current needs.

Once you have been matched, the team in the Partnership Office will confirm the school-based training as quickly as possible with the school or setting. They will then contact you with the details. Almost all of our school-based training will be with partner schools in south-east England. 

Can I find my own school-based training?

No, all school-based training needs to be organised by the Partnership Office. However, if you have personal contacts that you believe will help to secure a training opportunity, then please contact the Partnership Office.

Provide us with the school’s details, a contact name, and details of your connection with the school. We will then contact the school on your behalf. Please don’t approach the school directly, as this may cause confusion.

Is teaching for me?

If you are interested in studying to become a teacher, the School Experience Programme (SEP) enables you to gain classroom experience in primary or secondary schools. Several of our partnership schools are involved in the SEP programme.

If you want to find out more, please visit the School Experience Programme website.

I have really loved all four of my teaching placements, which have been incredibly varied, from a small village school with mixed year groups to a large urban primary school with a diverse intake.

Jennifer Lamb
Primary Education with QTS (3–7 years) BA(Hons)

Trainee handbooks

EYITT

EYITT Trainee Handbook

If you have a query please contact Programme Assistant, Helen Carter at: eyitt@brighton.ac.uk.

 Primary

Trainee handbooks

PGCE Primary (3–7) and PGCE Primary (5–11) Trainee Handbook (pdf)
This handbook provides details of the practical and academic requirements for trainees studying our Primary Education PGCE and Primary Education (3-7 years) PGCE.

Postgraduate Teacher Apprenticeship Handbook (pdf)
This handbook provides details of the practical and academic requirements of the Postgraduate Teacher Apprenticeship route to QTS. The handbook covers primary and secondary.

Primary Education with QTS BA(Hons) Handbooks

These handbooks are designed to support trainees on all age phases of our 3 year Primary Education with QTS BA(Hons) programmes. There are specific handbooks (pdf) for each year of study.

  • BA Primary Year 1 Handbook

  • BA Primary Year 2 Handbook

  • BA Primary Year 3 Handbook

Secondary

Postgraduate Secondary Handbooks

We are currently revising materials for Semester 2 of the 2020/21 academic year.

Subject route leaders will contact students with their programme for the semester.

 

Apprenticeships

Postgraduate Teacher Apprenticeship Handbook
 (pdf) 

This handbook provides details of the practical and academic requirements of the Postgraduate Teacher Apprenticeship route to QTS. The handbook covers primary and secondary. 

Further Education and Training

Full-time PGCE trainees

  • Introductory handbook (pdf)

  • Trainee Handbook (pdf)

  • Assignment Handbook (pdf)

Part-time PGCE and Cert Ed trainees

  • Trainee Handbook (pdf)

  • Assignment Handbook Year 1 (pdf)

  • Assignment Handbook Year 2 (pdf)

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