FAQs
Find out more about coming on a Return to Teaching Course, by reading our Frequently Asked Questions:
- What are Returner Courses?
- What is included in a Returner course?
- What support will I receive?
- How much does it cost to attend a Returner Course?
- How do I get on a Returner course?
- What do people who have attended an EM Direct Returner course say?
What are Returner Courses?
Return to Teaching Courses are refresher courses for qualified teachers who have had a career break from the profession (however long or short Ð but you must have been out of the classroom for at least 12 months). There purpose is to update teachers' knowledge and skills to enable them to make a smooth, successful and confident return to the classroom. Whether you are looking to return full time, part time or in a supply teaching capacity these courses will provide you with the essential information you need to ensure you are up to date.
Courses are Part Time over 10 weeks, and include tutored sessions, a school placement and some school based activities which are written into a "Learning and Teaching Portfolio". School placements will be under the guidance of a mentor. You must arrange a school placement and an Information Sheet and Placement Agreement form have been produced to help you in securing a placement. Once you have arranged a school the contact details must be given to EM Direct for us to confirm the arrangements with that school.
EM Direct is the TDA's most experienced provider of Returner Training. Between September 1999 and March 2008, over 1,000 teachers have attended the 70 courses run by EM Direct and the return to classroom rate is in excess of 70%. Our courses are run in partnership with Bishop Grosseteste University College, Lincoln and the LAs in the areas they are located.
What is included in the Returner Course?
Attendance at the course involves:
- TUTORED SESSIONS FOR PRIMARY TEACHERS, 11 days on tutored sessions (2 days in the first week, then typically one or two days per
week for the remainder of the course), during which time we cover:
- Introduction, School Experience, National Curriculum
- Inclusion
- Behaviour and Classroom Management
- Planning and Assessment for Learning
- Primary Framework for Literacy and Mathematics
- Generic principles underpinning the teaching of the Foundation Subjects
- The Early Years Foundation Stage
- General use of ICT in the classroom
- Modern Foreign Languages
- Design and Technology
- Religious Education
- Music
- Work Force Remodelling
- Performance Management and the role of CPD
- Applications, Interviews and Career Pathways
- OfSTED
- TUTORED SESSIONS FOR SECONDARY TEACHERS, 7 days on tutored sessions (2 days in the first week, then 5 other days at various
times within the 10 week programme), during which time we cover:
- Introduction, School Experience, National Curriculum
- Inclusion
- Behaviour and Classroom Management
- Planning and Assessment for Learning
- Secondary National Strategy for School Improvement
- National Qualifications Framework and the new 14 Ð 19 Diplomas
- General use of ICT in the classroom
- Work Force Remodelling
- Performance Management and the role of CPD
- Applications, Interviews and Career Pathways
- A SUPPORTED SCHOOL PLACEMENT
This vital part of the course gives you the opportunity to observe experienced, practicing colleagues and practice your own teaching in a structured environment. The minimum requirement for the course is to undertake 15 days school placement for primary teachers, 19 days school placement for secondary teachers (you negotiate these days with your school, and agree a mutually convenient timetable). The school placement must be undertaken in a Local Authority maintained school. It cannot be undertaken in an independent school. - PERSONAL TUTORIALS
There will be 3 Personal Tutorials with Course Tutors (one at the beginning of the course, one in the middle and one at the end) to discuss your progress and personalise your learning programme on the course to help meet your specific needs; - A WRITTEN "LEARNING AND TEACHING PORTFOLIO"
You will undertake a number of school based activities whilst on your school placement. From these you will complete three tasks of written work reflecting upon what you have seen and learnt. These will be submitted in a ÒLearning and Teaching PortfolioÓ at the end of the course for assessment.
The course is Accredited as part of a Post Graduate Professional Development Programme and successful completion will give you 30 post graduate level credits.
After completing the Returner Course, to further meet individual needs of returning teachers, there is the option of undertaking a "Certificate of Professional Studies in Education" as a Personal Extension of the programme. The CPSE is a post qualification certificate awarded through Bishop Grosseteste University College, and on successful completion the teacher will receive 60 post graduate level credits. Full details of this optional extension will be given on the course.
The programme has been approved by the Training and Development Agency for schools (TDA) as meeting their National Specification for Returner Courses providing the relevant tutored input and school placement time. It is an intensive programme designed to meet the requirements and demands of teaching today.
What support will I receive?
PROFESSIONAL SUPPORT
When you attend an EM Direct Returner Course, you will be supported throughout the course by the highly experienced tutor team. Support will be on a "face to face" basis on tutored days, and Sue Taylor, our Returner Courses Consultant is available by phone and email at other times to answer any questions you may have.
Email support by our colleagues at Bishop Grosseteste University College is also available to assist you with the written work for the course.
In school, a Mentor will support you. They will receive a full guidance handbook on the requirements of the school placement and information on what you need to be doing whilst on placement.
FINANCIAL SUPPORT
As EM Direct courses are funded by the TDA, ALL PARTICIPANTS are eligible to receive a TRAINING BURSARY of £150 per week for the duration of the course (excluding holiday weeks) - total £1,500. Money for CHILD CARE SUPPORT is also be available at the rate of up to £150 per week for every child up to the age of 5 years, and up to £70 per week for every child aged between 5 and 14 years. Copies of birth certificates and child care receipts must be provided to claim this money. Payment of the Training Bursary and Child Care Support money are conditional upon attendance at the course. Any participant dropping out of the course will forfeit any payments.
How much does it cost to attend a Returner Course?
There is no charge for attending any of these courses. A £75 per person deposit is required to book a place, which will be refunded on completion of the course. In the event of non-attendance at the course once a place has been confirmed (for whatever reason), withdrawal from or non-completion of the course the deposit will not be refunded.
Participants will also be required to have a Criminal Record Check prior to commencing the course. An "Enhanced Disclosure" will be obtained through the Criminal Records Bureau, and the cost (£36 - cost correct at 1 January 2009) will be deducted from your course deposit. The balance of your course deposit will be refunded on completion of the course. (If you already hold an Enhanced Disclosure obtained within 3 months of the commencement date of the course, a copy of this should be sent with your course application and this will be accepted. Where a valid Disclosure is accepted, the course deposit will be refunded in full). [Should the cost of an Enhanced Disclosure increase above £36, any additional amount will be deducted from your course deposit].
How do I get on a Returner Course?
You MUST obtain a RTT No from the TDA "Return to Teaching Service": Tel: 0845 6000993. You will not be allowed to commence the course without one. Once you have a number, complete and return our Course Application form stating which course you wish to attend. There are 20 places available on each course (but courses will only take place if a minimum of 15 people are accepted).
The minimum criteria for attending a course will be that applicants
- Hold Qualified Teacher Status (QTS);
- That you have been out of full time teaching in maintained schools in England for at least 12 months
- Provide copies of their Qualification Certificate(s) [degree and/or teacher training] with their application;
- Write a supporting letter saying why they want to undertake a Returner Course and how they expect to benefit from such a programme.
Should a course be over subscribed, a selection procedure will take place. The criteria to be used will include:
- Teachers who can demonstrate that they are committed to returning to teaching within 6 months of course completion;
- The applicant matching one or more of the Priority Areas as designated by the TDA, i.e.
- Secondary Shortage Subjects: Mathematics, Science, Modern Foreign Languages, Design Technology, ICT, Music and RE.
- Groups Under Represented in the profession: Men into Primary, Minority Ethnic, Disabled;
- Known vacancies in the LAs for each phase;
- An applicant's ability to attend all sessions of the course (tutored sessions run 9.30am to 3.30pm);
- The ability of schools to offer placements.
What else do I need to know?
Subject to meeting the course acceptance criteria, places will be confirmed. Intending participants should complete and return the course application form (with the £75 deposit) as quickly as possible. Cheques should be made payable to "EM Direct Ltd".
Do not leave it until the last minute to apply as school placements need to be confirmed before you start a course and CRB clearances must be obtained before the school placement can begin - clearance time can take 6 to 8 weeks.
The TDA ask that all participants attending a Return to Teaching Course are fully committed to the course. Therefore, whilst attending the course, you should not undertake additional work teaching in a school.
As part of the course arrangements with placement schools, there will be a requirement for you to undertake 2 full days voluntary supply teaching at your placement school towards the end of the course or within 3 weeks of its completion (school holidays excluded and by arrangement with the headteacher).
We are confident that this course will prepare you well to return to the classroom providing you with up to date knowledge on the latest initiatives, enhance your skills and help restore any lost confidence. We look forward to receiving your application.
