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School Direct

 

1. Why Train at St. Paul’s Academy?

1. Why Train at St. Paul’s Academy?

 

In May 2013, Section 48 Inspection described St. Paul’s as an outstanding Catholic School. In January 2013 Ofsted judged the school to be ‘Good’ in all categories, apart from Behaviour and safety of pupils which was judged to be Outstanding. In June 2017, Ofsted judged the school to be ‘Good’ in all categories and emphasised that ‘The inclusive approach and attention to pupils' welfare run through all aspects of the school.’

At St. Paul’s you will receive outstanding training and support in your Salaried School Direct Programme, [Biology, English, Geography and Spanish] and beyond into your NQT year. St. Paul’s has a long and highly successful track record in Initial Teacher Training.

In order to increase the number of Catholic and community places available to local children, St. Paul’s Academy moved to its new campus with outstanding facilities in Abbey Wood, SE2 9PX, in January 2010. St. Paul’s was an already successful school and has continued on that successful path through the opportunities offered by the development of the Academy.

This is the first year the Reformed GCSE specifications for Mathematics and English have been assessed. All schools across the UK have experienced the implementation of teaching the more rigorous and challenging content of these Reformed GCSEs which have a higher threshold of achievement. We are delighted to announce that 76.1% of students achieved a 4 or above in Mathematics, 71.7% in English Literature and 70% in English Language. This means that we can report that 68% of our students achieved the expected 4 and above in English and Mathematics. These results have provided us with the confidence to successfully embed the other Reformed GCSE courses from September 2017 and will enable us to build on the proven success of accurately tracking pupil progress.

60% of the students receiving Pupil Premium funding achieved a grade 4+ in both English and Mathematics this year compared to 73% of those who don’t. Our Pupil Premium students achieve above the national average. As a school we will continue to strive to close the gap even further.

The Archdiocese of Southwark, sponsors the Academy, and we give priority to children from practicing Catholic backgrounds while also reserving a number of community places for children of other and no faiths.

St. Paul’s Academy has specialisms of Sport and Enterprise which is reflected in the excellent sporting and learning facilities. Since the Academy opened in 2005, in excess of £175,000 has been raised to support local, national and international charities.

We have a strong emphasis on developing and implementing new approaches to teaching and learning so that students of all abilities will be continually motivated and challenged to achieve their full potential

2. Training Programme

The Salaried School Direct Programmes in Biology, English, Geography and Spanish will be based at St. Paul’s Academy, with the close partnership of Canterbury Christ Church University, an outstanding ITT provider. The programme provided leads to Qualified Teacher Status [QTS] as well as the possibility of a school funded PGCE for suitable candidates.

The package will include:

  • An incremental teaching timetable [Term 1 10%, Term 2 30%, Term 3 50%, Term 4 60%, Term 5 70 % and Term 6 80%]
  • School experience placements, including secondary [20 days] and primary [5 days]
  • Professional Studies based at Canterbury Christ Church University
  • Subject Support
  • Weekly mentoring support from Subject Mentor
  • Professional Development Programme at Saint. Paul’s Academy
  • Support from school Professional Mentor and CCCU Tutors
  • PGCE qualification for suitable candidates [School will pay the tuition fees]
  • Support to secure a teaching position on successful completion of the course

3. Qualifications you will need

  • A good honours degree [at least 2:2]
  • GCSEs in Mathematics and English, grade C or above
  • NARIC equivalency certificates for any degree or school qualification gained outside the UK
  • If your degree subject does not link closely to the subject you intend to teach, you may improve your ability to gain a place by following a Subject Knowledge Enhancement Course
  • Professional Skills Tests [Ideally before interview, but there will be a set period of time post interview]
  • While the School Direct Programme is primarily aimed at career changers, with three of more years’ work experience, we will consider exceptional candidates who do not meet this criteria.

 

What our present School Direct colleagues have to say.

“I feel that St. Paul’s has been the perfect place for my training, as it is an excellent school, with an amazing support system.”

“St. Paul’s teaching community support each other really well and everyone is willing to help you in your development and answer the multitude of questions that you have.”

“The school is managed incredibly well, setting the bar high as a new teacher entering the profession.”

“It is a rigorous introduction to the teaching profession, and provides a great opportunity to develop a wide range of skills both professionally and personally.”

“Building relationships with students and other professionals is hugely enjoyable and rewarding and it is remarkable to consider what can be achieved over the course of the training year.”

Departments and Learning Zones

English – 1 Salaried School Direct Programme

St. Paul’s Academy English Department is a vibrant and enthusiastic team, which thrives on its collaborative forward thinking ethos.  Judged ‘Outstanding’ by Ofsted in 2010, the department was part of a series of films which appeared as a model of good practice on the Ofsted website. The English Department also featured as one of six secondary schools in the 2012 HMI publication ‘Excellence in English’. 

Our strengths reside in our commitment to providing the very best curriculum and lessons for the students; we are passionate about building confidence and independent critical thinking skills both in and beyond the classroom. This spreads into our growing extracurricular activities including an established ‘Debate Mate’ club and several books groups.

We have several teachers in the department who have trained through School Direct and its predecessor Graduate Teacher Programme and who have since become leaders in the team.

Geography – 1 Salaried School Direct Programme

The Geography Department has three full time members of staff who have excellent knowledge in a variety of geographical subjects. In addition to this, members of staff have previous experience mentoring trainee teachers and NQTs.

Geography is a very popular subject at both Key Stage 3 and 4 with an increasing number of students opting for the subject at GCSE. At Key Stage 3 students study a wide range of topics from Mapping to Plate Tectonics, Earthquakes and Volcanoes

At present, GCSE students follow the OCR specification B syllabus for the new GCSE. This comprises of two themes over the course; ‘Unit 1: Our Natural World’ and ‘Unit 2: People and Society’. The GCSE specification in ‘Unit 3: Geographical Exploration’ requires the students to participate in two fieldwork opportunities over the course of their study; one human and one physical enquiry. Fieldwork is an integral study of Geography at GCSE level and field visits are arranged to support the delivery of Unit 3 on two occasions for students to collect data.

The Geography Department also offers a number of opportunities for students to enrich their studies through school trips and visits whilst also running a well-established volunteering scheme. Students have participated in environmental related tasks, which have included wetland and heathland ecosystem work at Stave Hill Ecological Park, bracken clearance and hedge laying at Woodlands Farm and marshland/river regeneration at Foots Cray Meadows (River Cray)

Science (Biology) – 1 Salaried School Direct Programme

The Science Department at Saint Paul’s Academy has many attributes that would benefit a School Direct trainee during their Initial Teacher Training. The department consists of past trainees who now take an active role in training as well as a variety of subject specialists in all areas of science. They are committed to collaborating as a team and supporting each other in the progress of the department, and its individuals, by sharing innovative teaching techniques and offering the opportunity to attend a variety of training activities.

The department has access to up to date teaching and learning resources as well as excellent facilities in the form of 8 newly furbished laboratories and a computer suite. It also provides a selection of pathways to ensure all students can engage with science in a variety of different ways. This allows teachers the opportunity to teach across the three subject areas; Biology, Chemistry and Physics.  This is a young, enthusiastic department who take great pride in working together to provide the best support for both its students and its members during their time at Saint Paul’s Academy.

At Key Stage 3 students follow a 7½ term scheme of work that emphasises the central role of scientific models through modules based on the key themes of Cells, Energy, Forces and Particles in line with the AQA KS3 syllabus.  The course provides students with regular formative, diagnostic and summative assessments of their progress with the students themselves taking an active part in assessing their own progress.

Students then follow a 7½ term Key Stage 4 programme of study. The Pure & Applied Science Learning Zone follows the AQA Combined Science Syllabus which contains Biology, Chemistry and Physic topics. This double award programme is assessed with terminal examinations during the Summer Term of Year 11.

MFL (Spanish)- 1 Salaried School Direct Programme

The MFL Department at St Paul’s is committed to helping students learn a new language.  Students study Spanish and French, following an exciting, innovative curriculum at both key stages. The curriculum is tailored to suit the needs of all learners so that they achieve their full potential and make excellent progress. The department also consists of past trainees and NQTs as well as a selection of experienced mentors.

Across both key stages in Spanish and French, students have the opportunity to improve their linguistic competence and develop their skills in four areas: Listening, Speaking, Reading and Writing. They also develop their understanding of key language structures so that they can adapt and manipulate them for their own use in everyday situations. It is our aim as a department to help students grow in confidence, becoming independent and creative language learners. At KS3 we have a project based scheme of work so that learning is meaningful. Some examples of Year 7 project work include: story books for primary school children,   secret agent character profiles and adverts for their own school in paradise! At KS4 students prepare for their GCSE by studying current themes of interest, such as Identity and Culture, Local area, Holidays and Travel, International and Global issues and School, Work and Future aspirations. They prepare for various assessments throughout this key stage.

Developing students’ cultural understanding and awareness is extremely important to us. At KS3, students have the opportunity to go on trips abroad, for example, to Christmas Markets in Northern France. At KS4 we have organised successful trips to Paris, Normandy, Barcelona and Valencia to enrich students’ learning experience. In addition to this, each year we have Languages Days. This gives students a taste of other languages such as Catalan, Chinese, German, Greek, Italian, Japanese, Portuguese, Russian, Polish and Ukrainian. Students participate in workshops with a cross-curricular link to sport, technology, art and cooking!

How to apply

Applications for Salaried School Direct Programmes must be made via UCAS at the following site which also contains extensive support regarding the application form http://www.UCAS.com/apply/teacher-training

We look forward to receiving applications from those individuals with the potential to be outstanding teachers who have a desire and determination to make a difference to the lives of our young people.