Park Community Academy has a long history of supporting initial teacher training. Historically we have supported local Universities by offering placements on undergraduate and post graduate courses both within our primary and secondary departments. Since 2016 we have been heavily involved in a School Based ITT course which has recently become Blackpool Sea View Trust ITT and is run in partnership with Embrace SCITT. Park Community Academy has been involved with the creation of the ITT programme and curriculum, delivery on centre based training and offering placements. Although we are heavily involved in a school based course we do still offer placements to other ITT providers. We are also very proud to have supported staff who have trained to teach through teaching apprenticeships.
Trainees are placed with experienced teachers who have the necessary attributes, skills and knowledge to mentor our trainees, additionally, they have all undergone mentor training through Embrace SCITT or the relevant provider. Trainees are encouraged to experience all aspects of school life within, and out of, the classroom. Historically trainees have taken part in assemblies, lead school trips, accompanied school residentials, taken part in school fairs and other events in the wider community. It is an expectation that trainees will attend staff training, meetings, and events that involve teachers communicating with parents.
In addition to teaching placements, we also accommodate many University and College students who want to experience working with children who have additional needs, this may be to conduct research towards an assignment or simply be to widen their understanding. As a school we welcome anyone who wants to learn more about specialist provision, Special Educational needs and inclusion.
We first became involved in School Based ITT courses because we were keen to train and grow our own excellent teachers, and that’s exactly what we have done. We have employed a significant number of the trainees who have trained at Park Community Academy. Our commitment to initial teacher training goes beyond the initial training year(s), staff at Park Community Academy deliver on the Embrace Teaching Hub ECF programme meaning we have a very good understanding of the curriculum, requirements and expected standard of new teachers and can prepare our trainees for their next steps.
If you would like to find out more about the Blackpool Sea View Trust ITT courses that are delivered in partnership with Embrace SCITT please visit:
https://embracetsh.co.uk/embrace-scitt/about-us or https://www.seaviewitt.co.uk/
You can also follow us on twitter:
@BlackpoolSV_ITT
@EmbraceSCITT
