Session 1 Christine Roy Dixons City Academy

Partnership Development Schools

Cluster Project 2008/9

Clusters 4 and 5

The Regional Priority

Assessing the impact of ITE on pupil achievement and using this to raise achievement in schools through the development of models of ITE practice

The Objectives

produce, collate and analyse evidence to support the benefits of having trainees in a range of subject areas and Key Stages, and to disseminate the findings

The Group identified as its overall focus to:

The myth we hoped to dispel

“Having trainees in the classroom is bound to have a detrimental effect on my school’s league table results”

What we did

26 schools

At least 3 classes in each school

Tested attainment at start and end of a 6 week period

Assessed student attitude at the start and end of a 6 week period

Contextual Information

• Trainees worked with students aged 11 to 18

• Mentors were asked to “grade” the trainees on a scale of 4

• As it was a first placement it was suggested that in most cases the trainee (s) and teacher work together but trainees were deployed in a variety of ways

• The majority of mentors were positive, even in cases where the trainee was rated as “weak”

Key Findings – students’ attitude

Student attitudes are positive.

Overall changes in student attitude before and after the placement are minimal

A modest negative shift in mathematics but still positive overall both before and after the placement

Our findings about attainment

Implications for practice –

1. Important to prepare:

• Mentors

• Students

• Trainees

• Staff, Parents and Governors

2. Important to address outdated practice

Mentor’s comments and contextual information

Attainment Trainee “grade”

Mentor comment

5/6 boys’ attainment up

satisfactory He brought new ideas/ways of delivering the topic. Allowed me to get to know the class much better and see what they respond to.

11/11 boys’ attainment up

weak Enabled a much better chance to provide individualised learning for all students. Provided opportunities to withdraw small groups

Students comments

Mentors comments