*** WE ARE CURRENTLY FULL FOR NON-PRIORITY SUBJECTS AND ONLY PROCESSING APPLICATIONS FOR SECONDARY GTP COURSES IN MATHS, CHEMISTRY, PHYSICS AND MFL ***
Programme Leaders: Janet Steadman and Norma Harding
The Graduate Teacher Programme (GTP) is an employment-based route to qualifying as a secondary school teacher. It is aimed at graduates who already have some experience of teaching, training or working with young people and therefore do not need the same level of support and input from the University that the PGCE route offers.
The GTP programme trains you to Qualified Teacher Status (QTS) while you are employed by a school as an unqualified teacher and earning a salary. You may also gain a PGCE (GTP) at the same time.
Download the GTP Information Booklet: March 2012 [DOCX 74.49KB] for detailed information about the course and how to apply.
Entry requirements
You will need a degree in your specialist subject, as well as Maths and English GCSEs (or equivalen grade) for entry to the GTP.
See further details - including information about subject enhancement courses - in the GTP Information Booklet.
As a GTP trainee you will probably have worked in another sphere before deciding to enter teaching; possibly working in education in a capacity other than teaching. If you are suitable to study on the GTP programme you will be confident, independent, proactive, able to manage your own professional development and meet the following additional entry requirements:
- appropriate experience and maturity
- confidence and the ability to work independently
- previous experience working or observing in a mainstream secondary school
- significant experience with children or young people in a setting other than the home
- never been excluded from working with children
- experience and knowledge of ICT
GTP programme structure
The Sussex GTP is distinctive in that it offers a weekly taught programme whereby trainees study at the University for one day a week for the whole year and work in a school for the other four days a week. This enables the University team to provide not only high quality weekly training, but to take a very hands-on approach to supporting trainess as they train in their schools.
You will follow a rigorous subject-based Curriculum Studies course in your subject specialism, as well as a Professional Studies course to complement the sessions provided by your school. These sessions take the form of lectures, workshops and tutorials led by University tutors, local education advisors/consultants and experienced teachers from schools exemplifying good practice.
A school-based trainer supports you in-school with the aid of an Individual Training Plan developed to address your particular needs and build on your existing knowledge and experience. During the period of training you will take a gradually increased share of the duties of a professional teacher - both inside and outside the classroom - as your competency and confidence grow.
You will also complete written assignments and compile an evidence portfolio to demonstrate that you have met the standards for QTS.
Praise for the GTP
The GTP course was recently rated highly during a very positive OfSTED inspection in May 2010. Key strengths mentioned were the 'high attainment of the very large majority of trainees, and outstanding attainment of those training to teach non-shortage subjects', the 'outstanding level of progress made by trainees', the 'highly stimulating and well integrated teaching, tutoring and mentoring', the 'excellent early recruitment and selection processes' and an 'outstanding capacity to improve further and to sustain high quality outcomes for trainees'.
The full OfSTED report can be seen/downloaded here. See pages 11-16.
