Online Subject Knowledge Enhancement (SKE) for pre-itt trainee teachers. SKE Prospectus. 2014/2015 prospectus Vol. 4. HCUKonline.com. Live. Learn.

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1 Online Subject Knowledge Enhancement (SKE) for pre-itt trainee teachers SKE Prospectus 2014/2015 prospectus Vol. 4 HCUKonline.com

2 TESTIMONIALS CONTENTS INTRODUCTION What is SKE? 4 4 Who should apply? 5 The aim of the programme 5 Programme outcome and career progression 5 Delivery 6 The level of support offered to me throughout the SKE programme has been second to none. I was assigned my own subject specialist pathway tutor at the start of the programme and they have gone above and beyond to help me. Jennifer - SKE Maths trainee It has been hard work but has certainly been worthwhile, and I feel ready to tackle almost anything! My best wishes to the SKE team for the future and my thanks for your support through the course. Simon - Former SKE trainee Well done on an excellent course [the trainee] thoroughly enjoyed it, she told me it was very well structured and the support was excellent and I will certainly inform candidates who would benefit from the course. Gill - Bromley Schools Collegiate The course is most impressive! Very different to anything I ve seen before Robert - Former SKE trainee HCUK Who are we? What is online learning? HCUK s SKE courses Why choose HCUK? COURSE DETAILS Introduction Programme structure Expectations Assessment strategy COURSE CONTENT Mathematics Physics Chemistry Computing Modern Languages FUNDING AND FEES Fees Bursaries APPLICATION PROCESS CONTACT DETAILS

3 INTRODUCTION Hibernia College UK (HCUK) is pleased to offer National College for Teaching and Leadership (NCTL) funded subject knowledge enhancement (SKE) courses for pre-itt trainees who are due to start postgraduate Initial Teacher Training (ITT) - whether School Direct, SCITT or HEI in Maths, Physics, Chemistry, Computing or Modern Languages (ML) including French, Spanish or German. WHAT IS SKE? Our SKE programmes are aimed at postgraduates who are due to start a Maths, Physics, Chemistry, Computing, French, German or Spanish ITT programme. They are designed to prepare pre-itt trainees for ITT by helping them gain the depth of subject knowledge and skills they need to be able to teach their chosen subject. We recommend that all Maths, Physics, Chemistry, Computing and ML trainee teachers, even those with good subject knowledge, undertake an SKE course prior to, or during, their ITT programme.the Department for Education and Ofsted have also advised that excellent subject knowledge is critical in producing outstanding teachers. Eligible SKE trainees can access funding of up to 7,340 (depending on the course length) from the NCTL to cover the full cost of a HCUK SKE course. As well as funding to cover the cost of the course, eligible trainees may be able to access a training bursary of up to 7,200 (depending on the course length) from the NCTL. There is currently a shortage of specialist teachers for these secondary subjects. Schools are finding it difficult to recruit teachers for Maths, Physics, Chemistry, Computing and ML and this has led to many qualified teachers teaching these subjects without specific subject training. SKE programmes are intended to combat this issue by encouraging trainee teachers to gain a firm understanding of the subject knowledge and skills needed to teach Maths, Physics, Chemistry, Computing or ML prior to, or during, their ITT. This year SKE courses can overlap with the start of ITT and trainees can continue completing their SKE while undertaking ITT. Trainees who choose to overlap their SKE course with ITT must complete the SKE before the award of QTS. These trainees will only receive one training bursary once their ITT course has started. It is also possible for a trainee to defer their ITT programme to allow for SKE if the length of the programme required means that it cannot be completed before, or delivered alongside, an ITT programme. In this circumstance the ITT provider/school Direct lead school can offer a conditional deferred place on an ITT programme, however this does not guarantee future ITT allocations for the provider. Should the ITT provider/school Direct lead school not receive an allocation for the following academic year, you would need to re-apply for another ITT programme. WHO SHOULD APPLY? To be eligible for a NCTL funded place on a HCUK SKE programme, trainees must have: Accepted a conditional offer of a place on a postgraduate or School Direct initial teacher training (ITT) programme prior to the commission of any SKE course Been awarded an undergraduate degree of 2:2 classification (or equivalent) by the time they start the SKE course* Their ITT provider s agreement to request SKE funding from the NCTL or to nominate HCUK to request funding to cover the cost of the course *Trainee teachers in maths and physics with a relevant degree and at least a B at A level in maths, further maths or physics may be eligible for a bursary. Please refer to the ITT training bursary manual for further eligibility criteria information. THE AIM OF THE PROGRAMME Our SKE courses focus on improving and developing each trainee s: Deep understanding of the subject Ability to identify key concepts Skills to design, present and evaluate pupil-centred lessons Critical analysis and evaluation skills Ability to think like a mathematician, scientist or linguist PROGRAMME OUTCOME AND CAREER PROGRESSION Our SKE courses will help trainees gain: Comprehensive knowledge and understanding of their chosen subject Well-developed critical reflection skills Sound preparation for ITT Some of the tools to become an outstanding teacher The skills and knowledge to help their career progression Ideas and activities that they can use in the classroom All trainees receive a detailed feedback report at the end of the course outlining their progress, their strengths and areas for further developments. A copy of this report is also sent to the trainees ITT provider. Trainees who successfully complete the course will be awarded a HCUK SKE certificate. The course will prepare trainees for ITT, help them to become outstanding teachers and boost their CVs. 4 5

4 DELIVERY All our SKE courses are delivered 100% online and on-demand via Moodle, which is an innovative and interactive e-learning platform. This platform means that trainees can learn in their spare time and fit the course in and around existing personal and professional commitments. Trainees will be issued with login details for Moodle at the start of their course. They can then access course materials, lessons and tutorials from any Internet-enabled device, anywhere in the world, at any time, making learning extremely flexible. All enrolled trainees will also receive a free* tablet as a gift from HCUK. Trainees will be encouraged to attend live tutorial sessions where they can discuss topics in more detail, ask questions and communicate with other trainees. Tutorial sessions take place in the early evening and last approximately one hour. All tutorial sessions are recorded and uploaded to Moodle so that trainees can view them again at their leisure. Every participant on the course is appointed a personal pathway tutor, who will mentor the trainee and work with them to draw up and adhere to an agreed learning plan and calendar, as well as coaching their subject knowledge and skill development. The plan will contain clear time-bound learning objectives and targets. Our courses suit individuals who enjoy being independent learners and who value the flexibility and accessibility to manage their own learning at a pace that suits them. *Terms and conditions apply, visit for details. HCUK WHO ARE WE? Hibernia College UK (HCUK) is a leading provider of high-quality, online and in-school teacher training and development programmes and England s largest provider of SKE courses. The programmes that we deliver are of the highest academic quality and are accredited by a range of accreditation agencies. We have recently been praised by Ofsted for the quality of our training across the partnership. HCUK, inspected under the new June 2014 two stage framework, received an overall grade of Good for its work securing consistently high quality outcomes for its trainees. HCUK has a wealth of experience in the education sector, with our ITT and SKE programmes being recognised by The National College for Teaching and Leadership (NCTL). Our SKE programmes have won a number of accolades, including an award for best online learning programme at the e-learning awards WHAT IS ONLINE LEARNING? Online learning (or e-learning) is the use of technology to enable people to learn anytime and anywhere. E-learning incorporates online training, the delivery of live information and lessons and guidance from experts, which is delivered via the Internet. Our SKE courses are delivered 100% online through an innovative virtual learning platform. This unique offering means that trainees have access to lessons, course material and tutorials 24/7, enabling them to fit learning in and around existing commitments such as work and family. Even though our SKE courses are delivered purely online, they are still very interactive and trainees can communicate and collaborate with other trainees as well as their pathway tutor at any time by , the e-learning platform, discussion boards and live tutorials. HCUK S SKE COURSES HCUK currently offers seven NCTL funded online SKE courses: Mathematics Physics French Chemistry German Spanish Computing Programmes are not designed to teach trainees the subject from scratch but to improve their existing knowledge and skills. Our SKE programmes are aimed at trainees who need to boost their subject knowledge within the context of teaching the relevant subject to pupils. 6 7

5 WHY CHOOSE HCUK? Eligible trainees can access NCTL funding to cover the cost of the course through their ITT provider, who can nominate HCUK to administer all funding and bursary payments Eligible trainees may be able to access an NCTL bursary of up to 7,200 (depending on the course length) All our programmes are delivered 100% online so that trainees can study anywhere across the country Our programmes fit in easily around existing personal and professional commitments Course materials, lessons and tutorials are available online 24/7 All materials can be downloaded to use at a later date Programmes can be tailored to each trainee s specific subject knowledge needs depending on the length of the programme Flexible course lengths based on the trainee s needs Multiple start dates throughout the year All enrolled trainees receive a free* tablet from HCUK *Terms and conditions apply; visit for details. COURSE DETAILS INTRODUCTION Our SKE courses are intended to improve the subject knowledge, skills and understanding of trainee teachers who are due to start an ITT programme in one of the following subjects: Mathematics French PROGRAMME STRUCTURE Chemistry German Physics Spanish Computing Our SKE programmes are structured around 8, 12, 16, 20, 24*, 28 and 32-week courses (other lengths may be available on request). The number of weeks a trainee should study depends on the level of their existing subject knowledge and this will be determined by the individual with the help of their ITT provider. See below examples of a short, medium and long SKE programme. 8-week courses This short course is aimed at trainees who are relatively proficient in their subject area but need to boost or refresh their subject knowledge. The course takes roughly eight weeks to complete, and trainees are expected to cover one on-demand lecture per week along with associated tasks, research and reflection - equivalent to approximately 25 hours of learning per week. 16-week courses This medium-length course takes roughly 16 weeks to complete and focuses on the trainee s specialist subject and aspects of subject pedagogy. It assumes secure Key Stage 3-level knowledge and trainees are expected to cover one on-demand lecture per week along with associated tasks, research and reflection - equivalent to approximately 25 hours of learning per week. 24-week courses This longer SKE programme consists of roughly 24 weeks of online lectures with an induction week and an assessment week at the end of the course. The content is split between interactive subjectspecific SKE lectures, lectures focused on the philosophy of education and subject-specific pedagogy lectures. Trainees are expected to cover one on-demand lecture per week along with associated tasks, research and reflection - equivalent to approximately 25 hours of learning per week. 8 9 Throughout the course there are compulsory assessment points to ensure that trainees are engaging with the course and making the progress expected of them. Pathway tutors also provide regular formative feedback to assist in the development of subject knowledge and critical reflection skills. The trainee s ITT provider will receive a full report on how the trainee has progressed throughout the course as well as areas for improvement on completion of the SKE programme. This year SKE courses can overlap with the start of ITT and trainees can continue completing their SKE while undertaking ITT. The SKE must be completed before the award of QTS. It is also possible for a trainee to defer their ITT programme to allow for SKE if the length of SKE programme required means that it cannot be completed before, or delivered alongside, an ITT programme. *The longest SKE course we can currently offer ML trainees is 24 weeks.

6 EXPECTATIONS The on-demand course materials will consist of a range of tasks, including the following: Pre-recorded interactive lectures Reading-related articles Self-assessment exercises Subject-focused activities for discussion on class forums Learning Diary reflections Trainees will be encouraged to attend live synchronous online tutorials of approximately one hour s duration. These online tutorials are designed to support the online content and offer trainees opportunities to discuss the themes in more depth and ask questions. Attendance at these tutorials is strongly advised. Trainees can also revisit tutorials, lectures and materials at any time throughout the course to reinforce their understanding. They are expected to schedule additional study time where necessary within their learning pathway and the trainees personal pathway tutors will support them in planning a personalised learning pathway. ASSESSMENT STRATEGY HCUK s assessment strategy is based on a formative assessment strategy. Trainees are continually assessed with a final summative assessment based on a portfolio of tasks undertaken over the duration of the course. This portfolio includes end-of-session tasks and reflections, together with evaluation of the impact of the course on their own learning and the implications for their pupils learning. COURSE CONTENT MATHEMATICS Mathematics courses can be tailored to the individual s subject knowledge needs (depending on the course length). Trainees must complete the minimum requirements as outlined for their chosen course length (i.e. 8 weeks, 12 weeks, 16 weeks, etc.). Below is a list of example units for the Mathematics SKE programme. From Numbers to Algebra Square Numbers and Circular Measures Circles Statistics From Counting to Computers Mental Mathematical Machinations Solid Air Reflective Practice Algebraic Manipulation Massive and Miniscule From Paper Folding to Angles Volumes and Surface Areas of Selected Solids Functions Transformations Trigonometry Sequences and Series Numbers From Dotty Grids to Polygons Probability Solving Equations Trainees will also be continuously assessed by their assigned pathway tutor, who will review their work online and answer subject knowledge queries, as well as monitoring Learning Diary entries and other contributions. The pathway tutor, in conjunction with the programme director, will be responsible for monitoring, assessing and reporting on each student s progress and performance periodically throughout the duration of the SKE course and more formally at the end of the course

7 PHYSICS Physics courses can be tailored to the individual s subject knowledge needs (depending on the course length). Trainees must complete the minimum requirements as outlined for their chosen course length (i.e. 8 weeks, 12 weeks, 16 weeks, etc.). Below is a list of example units for the Physics SKE programme. What Is Physics? Let s Experiment Who Needs Equations? Common Misconceptions CHEMISTRY Chemistry courses can be tailored to the individual s subject knowledge needs (depending on the course length). Trainees must complete the minimum requirements as outlined for their chosen course length (i.e. 8 weeks, 12 weeks, 16 weeks, etc.). Below is a list of example units for the Chemistry SKE programme. Air and Water Pollution Global Warming Forensics Atomic Structure Energetics Organic Chemistry Functional Groups Physical Chemistry Earth and Space Electricity Geometrical Optics Radioactivity Materials Bonding Kinetics Inorganic Chemistry Space Stocks and Flows: Equilibrium Stocks and Flows: Decay, Growth, Wholes and Parts Solids, Liquids and Gases Applications of Fundamental Physics Fields Waves in Media Waves in a Vacuum/ Wave Field 12 13

8 COMPUTING Computing courses can be tailored to the individual s subject knowledge needs (depending on the course length). Trainees must complete the minimum requirements as outlined for their chosen course length (i.e. 8 weeks, 12 weeks, 16 weeks, etc.). The new Computing SKE will be rolled out gradually from February The Computing course will include core subject areas such as: Inside the digital device Information science Innovation, research and development Building software solutions Cyber security Technology in business and society Designed in collaboration with the Tech Partnership MODERN LANGUAGES Modern Languages (ML) courses can be tailored to the individual s subject knowledge needs (depending on the course length). Trainees must complete the minimum requirements as outlined for their chosen course length (i.e. 8 weeks, 12 weeks, 16 weeks, etc.). Below is a list of example units for the Modern Languages SKE programme. These units are supported by access to subject-specific (French, German or Spanish) content and language learning materials via Rosetta Stone SA. How We Learn Languages Developing Speaking Skills Problems with Teaching Grammar Developing Writing Skills Planning and Preparing ML Lessons Personalising Learning in ML The ML Curriculum Research Module Patterns and Creativity in Languages Using ICT in ML Assessment in ML Authenticity and Interest Through ICT and ML 14 15

9 FUNDING AND FEES FEES The National College for Teaching and Leadership (NCTL) is offering eligible trainees funding of up to 7,340 (depending on the course length) to cover the cost of an SKE course. To access NCTL SKE funding* the trainee must meet all the entry criteria and their ITT or School Direct provider must agree to: Support the trainee s SKE application Nominate HCUK to receive the SKE course and bursary funding directly from the NCTL. HCUK will then administer the funding and pay the trainee s bursary as required by the NCTL; or Directly request SKE funding from the NCTL to cover the full cost of the SKE course, administer the bursary on behalf of the trainee and pay HCUK s invoice for the cost of the course The trainee s ITT provider (whether School Direct, HEI or SCITT) will be asked to provide written confirmation of the above as part of the HCUK SKE application process. With NCTL funding, HCUK s SKE programmes are completely free of charge for trainees and ITT providers. BURSARIES Trainees who meet the National College for Teaching and Leadership (NCTL) SKE funding criteria may also be able to access a tax-free training bursary of up to 7,200 (depending on the course length). The trainee s ITT provider (whether School Direct, SCITT or HEI) can request bursary funding from NCTL on their behalf. Alternatively, the trainee s ITT provider can nominate HCUK to request the SKE course and bursary funding directly from the NCTL. HCUK will then administer the training bursary in-line with the NCTL guidelines. Bursary payments are generally issued in equal monthly instalments for the duration of the SKE programme. Course length 8 weeks 12 weeks 16 weeks 20 weeks 24 weeks 28 weeks 32 weeks 36 weeks NCTL training bursary 1,600 2,400 3,200 4,000 4,800 5,600 6,400 7,200 Course length 8 weeks 12 weeks 16 weeks 20 weeks 24 weeks 28 weeks 32 weeks 36 weeks HCUK SKE course fee (funding available through the NCTL) 1,910 2,810 3,705 4,605 5,500 6,115 6,725 7,340 This year SKE courses can overlap with the start of ITT and trainees can continue completing their SKE while undertaking ITT. Trainees who choose to overlap their SKE course with ITT must complete the SKE before the award of QTS. These trainees will only receive one training bursary once their ITT course has started. We strongly advise that applicants talk to their ITT provider about their eligibility and how they can access a SKE training bursary. If you do not meet the National College for Teaching and Leadership eligibility criteria for a funded SKE place, please contact us on or us at info@hcukonline.com to discuss self-funded options. *Please note that all NCTL funding and bursaries are subject to conditions and are not guaranteed. For details, visit

10 APPLICATION PROCESS To apply for a NCTL funded place on our Maths, Physics, Chemistry, Computing, French, Spanish or German SKE course, please info@hcukonline.com and request an application form. As part of the application process for a NCTL funded place: 1. Trainees will be asked to supply HCUK with the contact name and details of the ITT provider (whether School Direct, SCITT or HEI) that they are planning to undertake their ITT programme with 2. HCUK will contact the ITT provider to: a) confirm they support the trainee s application b) clarify whether they wish to nominate HCUK to access and administer the NCTL SKE course and bursary funding on the trainee s behalf 3. HCUK receives the ITT provider s confirmation and the trainee is accepted onto the programme If you do not meet the National College for Teaching and Leadership eligibility criteria for a funded SKE place, please contact us on or us at info@hcukonline.com to discuss selffunded options. CONTACT DETAILS If you would like further information, please call the SKE team on freefone , info@hcukonline.com or go to Hibernia College UK (HCUK) 10 Greycoat Place London SW1P 1SB Freefone: Telephone: +44 (0) info@hcukonline.com Small Print All mentions of initial teacher training providers or ITT providers throughout this document refer to School Direct Schools, School Centred Initial Teacher Training (SCITT) or Higher Education Institutions (HEI) who are providing initial teacher training. Please note that we have endeavoured to ensure the accuracy of the information provided in this prospectus at the time of publication. However, this information is issued as a guideline to potential applicants and interested parties. While we aim to implement what is outlined in the prospectus, we cannot undertake any obligation to provide the programme and facilities as stated and we reserve the right to amend course information, cancel, suspend or modify the course or change the entry requirements at any time. Correct at time of printing: 22 January

11 High quality SKE is critical to achieve outstanding teaching. WHO WE ARE: HCUK is a leading provider of online courses and programmes. We are the largest provider of SKE courses in England and our initial teacher training programme is accredited by the NCTL. SUBJECT KNOWLEDGE ENHANCEMENT COURSES FOR TRAINEE TEACHERS AVAILABLE IN: Mathematics Physics Chemistry Computing German French Spanish START DATES: We have several start dates throughout the year. Please contact us for details. Now Enrolling Limited places available. info@hcukonline.com to reserve your place today What Next? If you would like further information, please call the SKE Team on freefone , info@hcukonline.com or go to: 20