This policy (which is subject to annual review) relates to all Initial Teacher Education (ITE) programmes offered by the Institute of Education. This policy applies to assessed placements leading to QTS qualifications but does not apply to students studying on a ‘School Direct’ or ‘SCITT’ programme.
Updated Covid 19 Information for Education Primary QTS Finalist Students –26th March 2020
Dear Students of the Institute of Education,
The attachment included with this communication is the DfE policy statement regarding Initial Teacher Training and Covid-19.
We recognise that this may raise a number of questions for you, as it does for providers of programmes leading to QTS. We are working with the Universities’ Council for the Education of Teachers and the DfE to seek further clarification.
Following the announcement from the Prime Minister on 23rd March of a national restriction (lockdown), we would like to reiterate that you should not be going into schools that remain open. If you are supporting pupils’ online learning, please continue to do so. In addition, there will be a set of professional development activities available from 30th March, which you should access during the time you would normally be on school placement. Please ensure you take your Easter break as usual. Supporting pupils with online learning and engaging with the aforementioned professional development activities will develop valuable experience and expertise in online learning and enable you to continue to evidence your development against the Teachers’ Standards. If this raises any concerns for you, please contact your Partnership Tutor and copy in your Personal Tutor (London students – please contact your Personal Tutor). If you are a School Direct student, please contact your Partner Programme Leader (PPL) and copy in your University Programme Leader (UPL).
We recognise this is an anxious time for you but please be rest assured that the university will look to consider individual student circumstances in a positive light and work to find positive outcomes wherever possible. Please continue to keep yourself and others safe by following the Public Health England guidance at all times; wash your hands for 20 seconds and use a tissue for coughing then wash your hands. More importantly if you feel unwell at any time, please follow the PHE guidance.
Warmest wishes
Ruth Harrison-Palmer
Director Institute of Education
Updated Covid 19 Information for PGCE with QTS (Secondary) Students – 26th March 2020
Dear Students of the Institute of Education,
The attachment included with this communication is the DfE policy statement regarding Initial Teacher Training and Covid-19.
We recognise that this may raise a number of questions for you, as it does for providers of QTS programmes. We are working with the Universities’ Council for the Education of Teachers and the DfE to seek further clarification.
Following the announcement from the Prime Minister on 23rd March of a national restriction (lockdown), we would like to reiterate that you should not be going into schools that remain open. If you are supporting pupils’ online learning, please continue to do so. In addition, your course team are preparing a set of professional development activities which you should access during the time you would normally be on school placement. Your programme team will provide further clarity on engaging with these activities by the end of the Easter break. Please ensure you take your Easter break as usual. Supporting pupils with online learning and engaging with the aforementioned professional development activities will develop valuable experience and expertise in online learning and enable you to continue to evidence your development against the Teachers’ Standards. If this raises any concerns for you, please contact your Personal Tutor (Core students) or Programme Partnership Lead (PPL) and or University Partnership Lead (UPL - School direct students).
We recognise this is an anxious time for you but please be rest assured that the university will look to consider individual student circumstances in a positive light and work to find positive outcomes wherever possible. Please continue to keep yourself and others safe by following the Public Health England guidance at all times; wash your hands for 20 seconds and use a tissue for coughing then wash your hands. More importantly if you feel unwell at any time, please follow the PHE guidance.
Warmest wishes
Ruth Harrison-Palmer
Director Institute of Education
