Bluecoat SCITT Alliance Nottingham Quality Assurance Handbook · 2020. 3. 30. · Bluecoat SCITT Alliance Nottingham is responsible for the creation of the regulatory frameworks governing

“Supportive and tailored training of teachers for the future!”

Accredited provider of quality School Based Teacher Training – awarding QTS

Archway Learning Trust Registered in England and Wales.

Registration No. 7875164 Registered Office: Aspley Lane, Nottingham, NG8 5GY

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Bluecoat SCITT Alliance Nottingham

Quality Assurance Handbook

QTS + PGCE (with 60 Credits at Masters Level)

Effective Date: September 2019 Review Date: September 2020

Sherwood Rise Nottingham

NG7 7AR

t. 0115 9007230 [email protected]

www.bluecoatscittalliance.uk.com

mailto:[email protected]





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CONTENTS

Quality Assurance Process ................................................................................................... 3

Ongoing Programme Assessment and Review ............................................................................ 3

Assessment and Moderation................................................................................................. 4

Creation and termination of Partnership ................................................................................. 7

Medical Fitness to Teach .................................................................................................... 9

Recruitment and Admission to the Programme .......................................................................... 9

Regulations Relating to Assessment ...................................................................................... 11

Trainee Misconduct in Assessment ........................................................................................ 12

Assessment Appeals ......................................................................................................... 13

Trainee Discipline ............................................................................................................ 15

Trainee Withdrawal .......................................................................................................... 18

Assessment by FILE and Reassessment Opportunities ................................................................. 18

Assessment for Students with Special Requirements .................................................................. 19

Valid Reasons for Poor Performance ...................................................................................... 19

Complaints .................................................................................................................... 20

Conditions for the award of QTS .......................................................................................... 22

Circumstances for Suspension or Termination of Training ............................................................ 22

Financial and Support Procedures 2019/20: ............................................................................ 25

ITT Review .................................................................................................................... 27





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QUALITY ASSURANCE PROCESS Bluecoat SCITT Alliance Nottingham (and also referred to as BSAN within this document) monitors and assesses the quality of its provision and procedures throughout the year to ensure that its training is of the highest quality. Monitoring is undertaken by the Principal and Board of Governors of the Archway Learning Trust, assisted by the Vice Principal for Teaching and Learning and SCITT Strategic Partnership. Bluecoat SCITT Alliance Nottingham is responsible for the creation of the regulatory frameworks governing its activities, which will comply with current legislation and the requirements of the Department for Education (DfE). Particular note is drawn to the specifics outlined below.

ONGOING PROGRAMME ASSESSMENT AND REVIEW In order to ensure that training of the highest quality can be offered, Bluecoat SCITT Alliance Nottingham will monitor its activites principally through the following means: Improvement Plan Document (IPD) The templates and guidance documents provided by DfE & TRA will be followed in order to assess our capacity to improve in the following areas:

1. Outcomes for trainees.

2. The rate of progress for trainees during their training.

3. The quality of partnership, leadership and management of the SCITT.

4. The proportion going on to secure employment (within the partners of Bluecoat SCITT Alliance Nottingham, and nationally).

Archway Learning Trust ITT Review The Trust will undertake at least one review per academic year. This will include a review of all procedures followed in the pursuit of ITT. The review will be undertaken by either the Executive Principal, their delegate or someone that BSAN employ to undertake the review. Outcomes will be fed back to the Governors of Archway Learning Trust and Bluecoat SCITT Strategic Partnership Board. Matters to be reviewed include, but are not limited to:

The compliance of the SCITT against the ITT Compliance Guidelines

Benchmarking of the SCITT against the Ofsted handbook.

Quality and consistency of observation of trainee teaching, feedback and target setting against the Teachers' Standards.

Quality and consistency of monitoring and assessment of trainee progress against the Teachers' Standards.

Quality and consistency of trainee experiences across different department areas and different partner schools.

Communication by departments with partner institutions and other appropriate outside agencies.

Relevance and quality of the SCITT development plans (IPD)

Quality of SCITT documentation.





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The key areas which will be internally monitored as:

1. Quality of selection and recruitment procedures

2. Programme documentation and processes

3. Monitoring progress against QTS standards

4. Early detection of under-performance and intervention

5. Quality of mentoring and coaching

6. Quality of partnership provision

7. Tracking of trainee folders (including Extended Learning Tasks)

8. Progress in relation to previous targets

9. Outstanding practice and areas for further development

10. Employment figures for trainees completing the programme

A quality assurance visit will occur twice each year to ascertain the quality of sessions. The SCITT Team shall quality assure subject study sessions through a learning walk each term. Review outcomes will be available for all stakeholders, including OFSTED, DfE & TRA, partner institutions and the Trainee Voice Committee. This will form a central part of Bluecoat SCITT's constant programme of improvement and completion of the IPD.

ASSESSMENT AND MODERATION Assessment and moderation procedures will be undertaken as follows: Assessment – Subject Mentors, Subject Leads, Head of SCITT. Moderation – Internal Moderation and External Moderator

Assessment Process The following timetable outlines the assessment process:

Event Week No.

Induction and Introduction 1 and 2

Trainee Observation by the SCITT Team and audit of trainee files (Joint observation with mentors)

ongoing

External Moderation Days Week 14 (Interim) Week 42 & 44

External Moderator BSAN will engage an External Moderator who has skills and experience in delivering ITT provision for both Primary and Secondary. Suitable external moderators would include a ITT Course Director from a HEI, an experienced ITT Co-ordinator dealing with School Based Trainees with over three years experience in ITT or a Head of SCITT with experience of assessing trainees from another SCITT.





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The External Moderator will assess our provision in terms of looking at the trainee evidence, grading lessons, group interviews with trainees, quality of mentoring and coaching, effectiveness of professional standards course and subject provision. The External Moderator will also observe teaching of trainees and conduct group interviews with a sample of additional trainees over the course of the interim and final external moderation visits. The informal feedback and formal reports address standards of record keeping and assessment, standards of teaching and programme management as well as trainees' views on the effectiveness of the QTS programme. All reports from the External Moderator will be available to the Board of Governors, the Executive Principal and the BSAN Strategic Partnership. Findings will feed into the completion of the SCITT IPD. Internal Assessment and Moderation The Subject Mentor and Subject Trainer will be principally responsible for the regular assessment of trainee progress and shall raise any exceptional performance or cause for concern with the SCITT Team. SCITT Team to undertake weekly audit of mentor target setting, to ensure consistency and effective criteria is set. A selection of trainee targets will be audited each week, with the whole cohort audited each half term. To support quality assurance the Vice Principal for SCITT will report regularly on the quality of trainees’ evidence. Internal moderation will normally include visits to all trainees each term with100% of trainees being jointly observed over the year. This will include paired assessment across partnership schools and could include work scrutiny, analysis of progress data as well as observation of classroom practice. Following paired observation, feedback will occur on the accuracy of the assessment and issues will be forwarded to the SCITT Team. Matters considered by the SCITT Team will include the quality of trainee folders including Extended Learning Tasks, reflections, the organisation and maintenance of lesson plans, evaluations and feedback forms, mentor meeting forms and other documentation, and the body of evidence which is collected as evidence of meeting the Teachers' Standards. This report will be undertaken at least once per term in the autumn and spring terms. Any causes for concern will be taken up by the SCITT Team and reported to the Vice Principal for SCITT, so that a plan of action can be drawn up for the trainee concerned. Where necessary, the SCITT Team may call upon the assistance of suitably trained support staff to assist with internal moderation. The findings of all internal moderation procedures will form part of the self-evaluation procedures undertaken by Bluecoat SCITT Alliance Nottingham and shall feed into the IPD. To ensure an effective partnership, the SCITT Team and/or the Subject Leads will undertake visits to partner institutions to assess trainee’s performance, moderate the findings of the partner institution on trainee performance, and report on progress. They will also discuss with relevant staff in the partner institution any matters arising from trainees' progress. All formal reports from internal assessors and Subject Leads will be considered by the Board of Governors, the Principal and the SCITT Strategic Partnership, as well as being available to all stakeholders, including OFSTED, DfE & TRA, the External Moderator, partner institutions and the Trainee Voice Committee as necessary. As previously noted, such findings will be taken into account on completion of the IPD.





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Data Analysis Bluecoat SCITT Alliance Nottingham is committed to the appropriate use of data to support the continued improvement of the QTS programme, which will include the following. NASBTT Benchmark Data These allow the Principal, the Board of Governors and the Leadership Group to compare the SCITT’s efficacy in relation to a baseline and also in relation to a benchmark group of similar providers, with the whole ITT sector both nationally and locally. Analysis of Trainees’ Outcomes After each progress report, trainees' progress data will be analysed. Analysis may be by subject, groups of trainees and groups of Teachers' Standards (where appropriate) and individuals, dependent on the size of each cohort and the confidence interval of each data set. Each trainee's progress is reviewed and appropriate action taken such as the distribution of informal early warnings and “Cause for Concern” letters for under-performance, target-setting and additional support, or action planning for additional challenge and incentive. These findings are used to review the SCITT Development Plan. Feedback by Trainees and Partners

Formal and Informal Feedback As well as receiving formal feedback by DfE & TRA and OFSTED on our performance, BSAN shall also receive and consider informal feedback, including the sharing of good practice and through discussions at OFSTED or DfE & TRA.

Trainee Evaluations and Trainee Voice Committee All trainees are given the opportunity to feedback on their experience through the completion of SCITT surveys. These are distributed at least four times per year. In addition to these an exit survey shall be distributed to all trainees to enable them to assess how well the programme has prepared them for the teaching profession throughout the year. We will seek the views of past trainees in line with the NQT surveys undertaken by DfE & TRA and OFSTED. Such past trainees will be approached at the end of each academic year, and their feedback sought as to their preparedness for the profession. All trainees will complete evaluations of their experiences on the focused placement at its completion in the spring term. These include questions about the organisation of the placements, the training environment and the level of support from institutions. The Trainee Voice Committee will meet at least three times per year and will consist of representatives from the SCITT Team and nominated Trainee Representatives. The Principal, represented by members of the Leadership Group as necessary, and Subject Leads and mentors, may attend meetings on a co-opt basis. This list is not exhaustive and members may be co-opted on a permanent or temporary basis where required. Trainee Voice representatives will be offered guidance and training by relevant staff and outside bodies on their role.





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Feedback by Partner Institutions All partner institutions will be invited to feedback, both formally at set periods in the year, and informally as desired. During formal feedback, questions will be asked about the quality of communication and assistance by the SCITT, the level of administrative support provided and the efficiency of organisation of placements. Evaluations will be available to the Principal, assisted by the SCITT Strategic Partnership and matters arising will be fed back to the Board of Governors. Information collated via such evaluations will also be available for all stakeholders, including OFSTED, DfE & TRA partner institutions and the Trainee Voice Committee, and will feed into the IPD. Partnership Schools will be visited by the SCITT Team each year to review the quality of Partnership.

CREATION AND TERMINATION OF PARTNERSHIP These commitments are embodied in the Partnership Agreements that Bluecoat SCITT Alliance Nottingham uses as its agreed basis for partnership. This is to be read in conjunction with the Partnership Agreement in place with a particular partner institution. Choice of Partner Institutions Selecting the right partner institutions is of the utmost importance to Bluecoat SCITT Alliance Nottingham in order to ensure that trainees receive high quality training and value for money. Bluecoat SCITT Alliance Nottingham therefore requires that all partner schools commit to all elements of the programme, including the details in all handbooks, and that they ensure that trainees receive experiences in the way the whole school is run. The following points should also be noted, but are not an exhaustive list of criteria:

Institutions should provide “whole-school” as well as subject-based training via mentors. These should be experienced practitioners who are able to model good and outstanding practice, and who are able to raise the standard of teaching by trainees to good or outstanding.

Institutions should provide support in ensuring that all aspects of placements are effective, efficient and coherent.

Resources should be managed appropriately by institutions to ensure that training is high-quality.

Institutions should ensure that all trainees of all abilities are catered for and supported to meet the Teachers’ Standards. Particular regard is to be had to teaching and pedagogy, planning, assessment, behaviour management, phonics (primary only), differentiation and appropriate professional conduct.

Institutions should ensure that all activity undertaken by trainees is “training activity”. This means that trainees are entitled to be observed, to receive support and to receive feedback on their performance. Institutions should also adhere to BSAN policy on the early detection of underperformance and the procedures in place to manage this. These are outlined in the Partnership Agreement.

Institutions should provide an effective induction programme for new trainees.

Institutions should ensure that staff are released for meetings and training as specified in advance by Bluecoat SCITT Alliance Nottingham.

Institutions should ensure that assessment undertaken is both valid and reliable and complies





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with SCITT assessment procedures. They should also ensure that documentation is completed and returned to the SCITT on time.

Institutions should be prepared to undertake relevant and regular self-evaluation in order to ensure the continual improvement of the partnership.

Institutions should offer all trainees opportunities to fully immerse themselves in the life of the school.

Institutions should support trainees in meeting the Teachers’ Standards.

Institutions should provide opportunities for trainees to learn from outside agencies and/or specialists such as the SENCO, educational psychologists etc.

Institutions should ensure that current legislation on equal opportunities is adhered to. Termination of Partnership Bluecoat SCITT Alliance Nottingham works to maintain an open relationship of trust with all stakeholders in its ITT provision. All partners have a role to play in ensuring that the quality of training is of the highest quality. Judgements on the coherence and effectiveness of the partnership are made based on various sources of evidence and these are evaluated for discussion with individual schools and all stakeholders at least once per year. There is an opportunity for discussion with the Bluecoat SCITT Alliance Nottingham Strategic Partnership. There will be a professional discussion of any areas where partner schools may require support and guidance. Should such support and advice not result in improvements in the quality of training such that selection criteria fail to be met consistently, the SCITT’s relationship with that institution may be terminated, following discussion with the institution and confirmation by the Bluecoat SCITT Alliance Nottingham Strategic Partnership. Whilst the list below is not exhaustive, it should be noted that termination of the partnership may occur as a result of:

A change in OFSTED judgement may lead to a review of the standard of support which could lead to termination. The partnership schools are obliged to inform the SCITT of any changes in OFSTED rating.

The service of a “Notice to Improve” by OFSTED. Should the institution be making good progress and where the institution is in a position to offer trainees experience of school improvement, the SCITT Strategic Partnership may defer termination of the partnership pending an evaluation.

An inability to support trainees due to poor pupil discipline at that institution or poor management of behaviour by staff.

Failure to undertake effective mentoring, monitoring and support of trainees.

Failure to allocate resources provided for ITT in the appropriate fashion.

The provision of training which does not expose trainees to all of the professional values and practice to be found in the Teachers' Standards and other appropriate statements of professional practice as may become applicable from time to time.

Failure to provide sufficient levels of guidance and support.





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Failure to promote equality in all elements of their delivery.

Failure to adhere to criteria and commitments laid out elsewhere in the Partnership Agreement.

MEDICAL FITNESS TO TEACH Trainees will be required to complete a health questionnaire. This will be assessed confidentially by an independent Occupational Health provider. If this highlights concerns then advice will be recommended. The health questionnaire will be fully checked to ensure that it complies with the Equality Act 2010. The health questionnaire has been cleared through the Archway Learning Trust recruitment procedures to check fair access and that it contains relevant and targeted questions. BSAN will put in place any relevant support as advised by the Occupational Health provider and Trust HR Department as necessary.

RECRUITMENT AND ADMISSION TO THE PROGRAMME

Entry Requirements The QTS + 60 Master Credits (PGCE) Programme requires all trainees to work at M Level throughout its duration. In line with this, admission to the programme normally requires all applicants to hold at least a degree at 2:2 or above, showing sufficient study in the curriculum subject forming the basis of the trainee’s teaching specialism. Bluecoat SCITT Alliance Nottingham may, at its discretion, admit to the programme applicants with less than a 2:2 Honours degree, including those with equivalent qualifications. Applicants with overseas qualifications are required to demonstrate equivalence of the above conditions through the possession of a statement by UK NARIC to this effect. Applicants are also required to demonstrate the possession of GCSE passes (Grades A*-C) in Maths and English or the equivalence of the same. Applicants may demonstrate equivalence through the completion of equivalency testing. Primary applicants will also require a GCSE pass (Grades A*-C) in Science. Overseas Applicants Overseas applicants from outside the EU must have

Indefinite Leave to Remain in the UK, or

Permanent residency in the UK, or

Hold UK or EU Nationality

Proof of the same by the Home Office will be required before an offer can be made of a place on the programme. Bluecoat SCITT Alliance Nottingham is unable to admit to the programme any applicant requiring a visa in order to remain in the UK.

Non-Offer of a Place Students who are not invited to join the programme after the interview may be given verbal feedback on that decision at their request within four weeks. The feedback will include why they have not been offered a place and the grounds under which any appeals or complaints against decisions on admission may be made. Qualifications Resulting from Successful Assessment and Exam Procedures Bluecoat SCITT Alliance Nottingham has coupled the award of Qualified Teacher Status (QTS) and Post Graduate Certificate of Education with the acquisition of up to 60 Masters Level Credits. The PGCE is accredited and awarded by Sheffield Hallam University. Matters relating to the award of these credits are subject to the Quality Assurance procedures of Sheffield Hallam University a copy of which is provided to all trainees upon enrolment with Sheffield Hallam University. The award of M





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Level credits is a matter for the Board of Examiners of Sheffield Hallam University and all appeals against decisions of the aforementioned body are subject to the procedures of the university. Bluecoat SCITT Alliance Nottingham is not responsible for any such decisions by the University and shall not enter into representations with Sheffield Hallam University on issues of examiners' decisions or academic appeals in relation the award of M Level credits. Trainees are advised to pay attention to the regulations and quality assurance procedures of Sheffield Hallam University in this regard. The award of M Level Credits shall not imply fitness to teach, as per the Teachers' Standards, and no right shall accrue to a trainee in respect of the acquisition of QTS as a result of the award of M Level Credits by Sheffield Hallam University

Nature of Assessment Continual and consistent assessment lies at the heart of teaching and learning on the QTS programme. Bluecoat SCITT Alliance Nottingham uses clearly defined assessment criteria to determine a trainee’s fitness for the award of Qualified Teacher Status. Such criteria are transparent and are determined to measure trainee progress against the Teachers’ Standards, which form the learning outcomes of the QTS programme. All trainees shall maintain a file including the Extended Learning Tasks, demonstrating progress against the Teachers’ Standards, which shall be continually assessed throughout the programme. Assessment outcomes and information shall be used to determine fitness for the award of QTS, to provide feedback to trainees on their progress and how best this may be maximised, as well as determining specific trainee development needs. The purpose of assessment is to enable trainees to demonstrate that they have fulfilled the learning outcomes of the programme of study, and achieved the standard required for the award of QTS, as well as the appropriate number of Masters Credits, the latter to be determined by Sheffield Hallam University. All learning outcomes and assessment procedures are designed to reflect trainee progress at M Level. Assessment is carried out by competent mentors and moderated by impartial moderators who work to ensure that trainees are assessed fairly and consistently, and that the academic and professional rigour of the programme is maintained. The Exam Board The Exam Board will include at least three experienced members and shall meet at least once per year. No trainee may be recommended to the Secretary of State for the award of QTS without the approval of the Exam Board, meeting in plenary. The exam board will consist of Vice Principal for Teaching and Learning, Head of SCITT, Lead of Primary, Subject Lead, and the External Moderator. The PGCE will hold a separate exam board covered by Sheffield Hallam University’s exam board regulations. Without prejudice to any of the constraints laid down elsewhere in these procedures, the Exam Board has discretion in reaching decisions on the recommendation of individual candidates for the award of QTS. The Board is responsible for interpreting these assessment regulations in line with the requirements for validated awards and good practice. The judgements of the Exam Board are not, in themselves, susceptible to reversal and may not be questioned or overturned. Methods of Assessment Bluecoat SCITT Alliance Nottingham makes use of the following types of assessment:

Diagnostic assessment identifies learner aptitude and needs. Formative assessment delivers feedback on progress and assists with the design of future learning

activities. Summative assessment determines a learner’s fitness for the award for which they are training.





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Bluecoat SCITT Alliance Nottingham’s assessment procedures aim to:

Be consistent with the learning outcomes and assessment strategies of the QTS programme.

Support optimum learning and ensure maximum achievement by trainees.

Provide timely, and meaningful feedback to trainees, which allows them to make outstanding progress.

Eliminate all forms of unfair practice and plagiarism by trainees and assessors.

If an individual trainee’s performance demonstrates that the trainee is making less than the expected level of progress, the Head of SCITT will provide an informal statement of the areas in which the trainee is deficient (Action Plan). This will outline targets set, and a period of time within which progress must be made against those targets. This period will be followed by a review and, where necessary, a lesson observation. If an individual trainee’s performance is likely to be judged unsatisfactory, early warning will have been given following focused mentoring sessions and the setting of targets to be achieved. These shall be accompanied by a “Cause for Concern” letter. Should there be no, or little progress made against the aforementioned targets, reference will then be made to the Vice Principal for SCITT who will decide what action is to be taken or whether to recommend termination of training to the SCITT Strategic Partnership. Other reasons for the termination of training are described in the trainee’s Learning Contract. The SCITT Strategic Partnership and Board of Governors will meet to endorse the decision. Regular reviews of progress are undertaken throughout the programme. Details of the frequency of these reviews are contained in information about the schedule for assessment. The SCITT’s procedures for failing a trainee will be applied if an unsatisfactory judgement is made at any such review. These procedures are (Appendix 1):

1. A monitored support package detailing concerns and linked to the Teacher Standards. This will be reviewed over a six week period.

2. If satisfactory progress is not made, a formal monitoring package will be provided which will include three formal lesson observations by the SCITT Team, supported by regular observations by mentors. This is to be carried out over a six week period.

3. The Principal will be notified of any decision to fail a trainee. The trainee will be informed in writing of this decision, and of the grounds for its having been taken. The trainee will be given two working weeks within which to lodge an appeal in writing with the Principal. An Assessment Appeals Committee within the next two working weeks will consider the appeal. Its membership will comprise:

o Appeals Officer – A Member of the Bluecoat SCITT Board of Governors. o Principal, or his/her Delegate from the Academy Leadership Group (Chair) o Independent Subject Lead

The result of the appeal and any consequent arrangements will be communicated to the trainee as soon as possible.

REGULATIONS RELATING TO ASSESSMENT It is the responsibility of the SCITT Strategic Partnership and the Vice Principal for Teaching and Learning to consider regulations relating to assessment. The SCITT Strategic Partnership will consider the feedback of the external moderator in relation to the consistency of assessment, and undertake to specify changes that are required to the assessment regulations that may be required as a result of deficiencies discovered by the external moderator. Information resulting from any such deliberations will constitute part of the annual ITT review and will feed into IPD and SCITT Improvement Plan.





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The trainees will need to have successfully achieved the requirements for QTS in order to pass. In addition the award (PGCE) of up to 60 Masters Level Credits may be awarded by Sheffield Hallam University, in compliance with the assessments procedures of the university, where its examiners deem the work completed by the trainee in pursuance of this qualification to be sufficient. The assessment regulations apply equally to all considerations about trainee progress, irrespective of when during the programme such considerations take place, and by whom. Assessment Procedures, Progression and Support Mentors will set targets weekly, to be reviewed at the subsequent weekly meeting. Regular review meetings following formal observation by the Subject Lead, assisted by the mentor, will also include targeting areas for development, further practice and further learning. Where appropriate, early warning of under-performance, followed by a Cause for Concern letter may be issued following these reviews. All ITT staff involved in assessment are reminded of the paramount importance of early detection of under-performance. At each review, matters which may lead to failure to meet the Teachers' Standards must be recorded, and where appropriate, an informal warning or a Cause for Concern letter issued, upon consultation with the Head of SCITT and the Vice Principal for Teaching and Learning. As noted above, all forms of assessment will be implemented to facilitate progression, to ensure consistency and to judge trainee progression against the Teachers’ Standards.

The informal warning is given to a trainee who is considered to be making less than the expected progress at that particular point in their school-based professional training. The Cause for Concern letter is issued by the Head of SCITT upon the advice of the mentor, Subject Lead and/or Head of SCITT where a trainee is at risk of failing to meet the Teachers’ Standards. It may be issued at any point in the programme. Risk of failure, therefore, is judged against the normal expectations of a trainee at the point in their training at which performance is being assessed. Neither document above is a notification of failure but is intended to focus the trainee on action points that need to be met if sufficient progress for a later pass is to be made.

TRAINEE MISCONDUCT IN ASSESSMENT Bluecoat SCITT Alliance Nottingham defines misconduct in assessment as any action or behaviour likely to confer an unfair advantage on a trainee, or impose and unfair disadvantage on another, such as plagiarism, disruption of the progress of another, collusion, falsification, or any failure to adhere to commonly recognised standards of academic and professional behaviour. This list is not, however, exhaustive. Bluecoat SCITT Alliance Nottingham specifies: • Conditions relating to working in groups and the appropriate presentation of group work. • The consequences of breaching regulations on misconduct in relation to assessment. Group work that is presented for assessment must be a fair and equal representation of the input of all members of the group. Where this is not the case, this must be explicitly stated in the work presented for assessment and all members of the group retain joint and several responsibility for the honesty of their submission in this regard, as in all others. Where work has been presented on behalf of a group, and where a trainee has not made an equal and fair contribution to the work presented, failure to provide acknowledgement of the same will result in misconduct in assessment being attributed to all members of the group. To this end, trainees are hereby admonished:

1. To present group work only where it is appropriate. 2. To include in any such work a statement of contributions to the piece presented for

assessment.





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Where group work acknowledges a disproportionate contribution by its members, credit (recognition of progress towards the Teachers’ Standards) shall be awarded in direct proportion to the contribution of each member. Where this is impossible, the Exam Board may, at its discretion, decline to accept work submitted as evidence towards the meeting of the Teachers’ Standards. Initial investigations in relation to misconduct in assessment will be led by the Vice Principal for Teaching and Learning and the outcome of such investigations reported to the Exam Board. The Vice Principal for Teaching and Learning, upon approval by the Principal and the SCITT Strategic Partnership, shall have the authority to suspend a trainee suspected of misconduct for the duration of the investigation, and thereafter until the meeting of the Exam Board, where necessary. Suspension shall be communicated in writing, stating the reasons for the suspension and its expected duration. All results of an investigation, whatever the outcome, will be reported to the Exam Board, which has the discretion to overturn the initial findings of the Vice Principal for Teaching and Learning if it so chooses. The Exam Board is responsible for decisions in relation to suspected cases of misconduct in assessment and operates within the following general guidelines: Where a case of misconduct is suspected the Exam Board will suspend its judgment until the facts surrounding such suspicion have been established, using such precedent as is available to assist with the establishment of the facts where required. Where a case of misconduct has been established the Exam Board has absolute discretion to dispose of the case as it sees fit, having regard to the seriousness of the misconduct, its effect on the trainees’ outcomes and the impact on academic and professional standards maintained by Bluecoat Academy SCITT. Any finding of misconduct, as well of the consequent decision by the Exam Board, will be communicated to the SCITT Strategic Partnership. Where evidence becomes available subsequent to the recommendation of the Exam Board it will be possible for the matter to be re-opened.

Suspension of training shall not result in a liability by Bluecoat SCITT Alliance Nottingham to refund or repay tuition fees under any circumstances. Fees shall remain payable in line with the schedule dictated by the Learning Contract and shall still be incumbent upon the trainee personally, irrespective of their source of finance. In light of this, and to avoid unnecessary financial distress wherever possible, suspension will be implemented only where absolutely necessary, and will be expedited as early and as rapidly as possible. Trainees returning from a period of suspension, where no misconduct has been found, shall receive support to catch up on work and assessments that may have been missed, but shall not be entitled to financial compensation in the absence of malice; such malice being presented with empirical evidence to the Principal for his or her sole consideration.

ASSESSMENT APPEALS The aim of this procedure is to enable trainees to appeal against a decision in respect of an assessment event that may result in failure to meet the Teachers’ Standards. An assessment event includes formal or informal progress reviews (including review of progress following a “Cause for Concern”), and the completion of assessment forms that contribute towards the trainee’s folio of evidence, where the finding is that the trainee is likely to fail the programme. Appeals based solely on a disagreement with the professional judgement of the mentor, Subject Lead, Head of SCITT, Vice Principal for Teaching and Learning or External Moderator in assessing the merit of an individual piece of work or trainee’s performance, and judgements about the grading of a trainee, other than a grading of “Unsatisfactory”, will not be considered.





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Grounds for Appeal An Assessment Appeals Committee with authority delegated by the Board of Governors and SCITT Strategic Partnership, shall have the authority to deal with appeals against assessment decisions based upon one of the following grounds:

That the trainee’s assessment performance had been adversely affected by circumstances which the trainee could not have reasonably divulged at the time of the original assessment. Submissions made on these grounds will only be considered where accompanied by documentary evidence.

Administrative error materially affecting the relevant assessment event.

Procedural irregularities with regards to the assessment of trainee evidence, or the conduct of reviews.

Prerequisites to an Appeal Before a formal commencement of an appeal, it is expected that the trainee discuss the grievance with an appropriate mentor, Subject Lead, Head of SCITT or Vice Principal for Teaching and Learning. An independent representative will be made available on request.

Preliminary Appeal 1. An appeal must be made in writing within 14 days of the assessment event or review meeting, to

the Appeals Officer of Bluecoat SCITT Alliance Nottingham. 3. The Appeals Officer shall have 10 days to investigate the appeal with relevant individuals and

communicate the outcome of the appeal to the trainee. 4. If the Appeals Officer is of the opinion that there are justifiable grounds for appeal, then the Vice

Principal for Teaching and Learning and Head of SCITT will be consulted with a view to amending the original assessment. This finding shall also be communicated to the External Moderator and SCITT Strategic Partnership.

5. Where the Appeals Officer is of the opinion that the original assessment was fair, the trainee will be informed of the reasons for the decision.

6. If the trainee does not accept the outcome of the appeal, they may move to Full Appeal.

Full Appeal

1. Continuation of an appeal by the trainee must be communicated by the trainee to the Appeals

Officer in writing within 10 days of the Preliminary Appeal decision. 2. On receipt of such notice, the Appeals Officer will convene a meeting of the Assessment Appeals

Committee within 14 days. 3. The Academic Appeals Committee shall be composed of five members. This will include: Appeals Officer – A Member of the SCITT Board of Governors. Principal, or his/her Delegate from the Academy Leadership Group (Chair) Independent Subject Lead A quorum of three shall be required to constitute the Committee and must include the Appeals Officer, the Chair and an independent Subject Lead. 4. Members of departments directly involved in the appeal shall be ineligible for membership of the

Committee.





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5. Both the trainee and original assessor will be informed of the date of the appeal meeting at least seven days in advance and will be invited to attend. Any written statements or documentary evidence must be provided to the Appeals Officer five days in advance of the meeting to allow time for distribution to the other members of the Committee.

The Academic Appeals Committee Meeting

1. A quorum of three is required to constitute the Committee.

2. The trainee may be accompanied by a representative, but the meeting shall not be open to any other individuals.

3. The Committee shall have the authority to require any other person to appear before it,

should it be considered necessary for the proper consideration of the appeal.

4. The Committee will adjourn after the hearing to consider the evidence and arguments presented to it. Only its members may be present at this time.

5. The only options open to the Committee shall be to:

Dismiss the appeal and restore the original assessment decision.

Uphold the appeal, in which case it shall request those responsible for the initial decision to reconsider that decision in the light of new evidence.

6. The trainee will be notified of the Appeals Committee decision without delay.

7. The Appeals Officer and Chair of the Assessment Appeals Committee shall agree the

confidential minutes of the meeting.

8. If the Committee decides in favour of the trainee, the assessors responsible for the original decision shall meet within 14 days and their new assessment decision communicated to the Appeals Officer and Chair of the Assessment Appeals Committee, before informing the trainee of the final decision.

All trainees who are dissatisfied with the findings of the Assessment Appeals Committee are entitled to refer their case to the Office of the Independent Adjudicator, details of which can be found at http://www.oiahe.org.uk/ .

TRAINEE DISCIPLINE All work undertaken in a school or other environment that brings an individual into contact with children carries a fiduciary duty in respect of conduct and behaviour and all trainees are expected to conduct themselves in line with their legal responsibilities as adults in light of this. Due respect must be paid to the good name and reputation of the institutions involved. Provisional registration with DfE & TRA on entry to the programme brings trainee teachers into the same regulatory framework as serving teachers and ensures that the same standards of behaviour be observed. Further detail on the standard of behaviour required of teachers can be found in the Teachers’ Standards as exemplified on the DfE website. Staff, other trainees, and other members of the school or academy community may bring a complaint against a trainee if the following breaches of behaviour occur:

Any form of misconduct in assessment. Dishonesty of any kind, and in particular falsification of identity or qualifications in order to

obtain admission to the programme or to obtain a pecuniary advantage.

http://www.oiahe.org.uk/





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Failure to disclose information relating to previous criminal convictions, cautions, bind-overs or other such penal sanction as applies any jurisdiction.

Engaging in any behaviour liable to give offence to pupils, trainees, staff or the local community, particularly (but not limited to) racist, sexual or sexist behaviour.

Preventing, obstructing or disrupting the normal business of educational institutions or the delivery of teaching and learning to trainees by Bluecoat SCITT Alliance Nottingham.

Misappropriation of funds or assets of Bluecoat SCITT Alliance Nottingham or partner institutions.

Deliberate or reckless misuse or abuse of equipment or resources of any member of the Bluecoat SCITT Alliance Nottingham partnership, whether or not damage occurs as a result.

Invading or attempting to invade the privacy and security of confidential material and files, including those held within computer systems.

Failure to follow the accepted codes of dress and behaviour of our partner institutions. Persistent lack of punctuality or persistent absenteeism without the provision of a medical

note by a registered General Practitioner. However, nothing in the preceding comment shall excuse a trainee from compliance with the conditions relating to medical fitness to teach, nor shall the provision of a medical note prevent Bluecoat SCITT Alliance Nottingham from taking such action as prescribed in the section above on Medical Fitness to Teach.

If any of the above occurs the Principal or Headteacher at the institution concerned has the authority to withdraw the offer of a placement in and will inform the Principal at Bluecoat SCITT Alliance Nottingham. No obligation shall arise on the part of the SCITT to find an alternative placement for the trainee, who may subsequently be subject to temporary or permanent termination of training without refund or repayment of tuition of fees. The payment of fees, as laid down in the Learning Contract, shall still be incumbent upon the trainee personally, irrespective of their source of finance. The circumstances that may lead to permanent or temporary termination of training are not exhaustive, and are driven in the spirit of the Teachers’ Standards. However, the following particular instances fall to be outlined:

A. Medical Fitness to Teach

Medical fitness to teach, as prescribed by DfE Circular 4/99 (or as amended) determines the minimum level of medical fitness required for admission and completion of initial teacher training in England. Bluecoat SCITT Alliance Nottingham may impose permanent or temporary termination of training under the following conditions:

1. Confirmation by an independent physician that a trainee’s health has deteriorated prior to, or during training, such that the minimum conditions laid out above cease to be met. An “independent physician” shall not be related to the trainee or have acted as the trainee’s own GP. Engagement of an independent physician shall be determined by the Vice Principal for SCITT, upon the raising of a concern about a trainee’s health. In the event that a medical opinion shall be required in the circumstances outlined in points [3] below, any associated costs shall fall to be settled by the trainee. This condition shall form part of the learning contract signed by the trainee upon enrolment.

2. Failure by a trainee to submit to a medical assessment as in point [1] above, or failure to comply with the conditions imposed by an independent physician, including regular monitoring during the training programme.

3. Failure to disclose all medical information or falsifying medical information relating to a condition which would otherwise render the trainee ineligible for training, or which arises during the programme.

B. Professional Incompetence

In order to gain Qualified Teacher Status, it is a requirement that trainees must meet all of the Teachers’ Standards. A copy of these will be provided to all trainees upon registration with Bluecoat SCITT Alliance Nottingham





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The Vice Principal for Teaching and Learning, under the authority of the Principal, shall consider termination of training:

Where, in the professional judgement of the SCITT a trainee cannot demonstrate basic competence and ability to conduct themselves professionally and to fulfil the duties of a teacher.

Where a trainee does not meet targets set to rectify a cause for concern persistently fails to follow advice.

Where a cause for concern is deemed to be substantially and materially impeding pupil progress.

On receipt of any information in respect of the above points, the Head of SCITT or Vice Principal for Teaching and Learning will advise the Principal and undertake an investigation, including an interview of the trainee. If an investigation determines that the offence is not borne out, it shall be dismissed. No record of the case will be retained. If the offence is established, the Principal shall implement the Disciplinary Procedure. The Principal may:

1. Issue a verbal warning or formal written warning concerning future conduct (in either case to be noted on the trainee’s record).

2. Refer the matter to the Board of Governors for consideration of temporary or permanent termination of training.

Trainees disciplined under 1, or 2 above have the right to appeal in writing to the Chair of the Governing Body within seven days of being notified of the decision. To assist with dealing with the appeal, the Chair of the Governing may convene an advisory panel consisting of himself, a nominated member of the Board of Governors and an independent person. No one sitting on the panel may have been hitherto involved with the case. The panel will be advisory to the Chair who will be solely responsible for the final decision. All cases shall be heard within 14 days of the referral being made. Both the trainee and Principal would be invited to present reasons for mitigation or the reasons for the original decision. The recommendations to be made by the panel would be to advise the Principal that

The appeal has been upheld. The original disciplinary decision has been confirmed as made. The original disciplinary decision has been confirmed, with an alteration of sanction.

The decision of the Chair of the Governing Body is subject to further appeal to the Office of the Independent Adjudicator, details of which can be found at http://www.oiahe.org.uk/. The trainee will be informed in writing of the reasons for the decision without delay. Confidential minutes of the panel meeting and decision will be kept on record with the Chair. In the event of suspension or expulsion the Principal is required to inform DfE & TRA of any trainee teachers removed from or leaving the course as a result of misconduct.

http://www.oiahe.org.uk/





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Termination shall not give rise to refund or repayment of tuition fees, which remain payable by the trainee in line with the schedule prescribed in the Learning Contract. Trainees remain personally liable for payment of fees, irrespective of their source of funding.

TRAINEE WITHDRAWAL Bluecoat SCITT Alliance Nottingham will take all reasonable steps to support a trainee’s completion of the programme. BSAN will undertake special measures to support trainees whose continued participation becomes difficult, or appears untenable. Nonetheless, there may be personal or professional reasons motivating withdrawal from the programme, either at the election of the trainee or upon the advice of another, following due reflection and decision. Occasionally, a trainee may decide or be advised to interrupt the course for personal reasons or to gain wider experience or knowledge before continuing. The Principal shall have sole authority to sanction interruption and subsequent continuation of training. Unilateral interruption of training without the agreement of the Principal shall be deemed to be full withdrawal, and no readmission shall be permitted without a new application for admission in the next academic year. In any event, support and counselling will be available from mentors, Subject Leads, the Head of SCITT and the Vice Principal for Teaching and Learning. When a decision to withdraw has been made, the SCITT Team should be notified and Bluecoat SCITT Alliance Nottingham will begin withdrawal procedures.

Withdrawal of any sort shall not automatically give rise to refund or repayment of tuition fees, which remain payable by the trainee in line with the schedule prescribed in the Learning Contract. Trainees remain personally liable for payment of fees, irrespective of their source of funding. Depending on the circumstances of the withdrawal, the Principal may waive this requirement on compassionate grounds, and shall have sole discretion in this regard. A formal exit form should be completed to be compliant with school/academy safeguarding procedures, and ongoing quality assurance.

ASSESSMENT BY FILE AND REASSESSMENT OPPORTUNITIES All of the Teachers' Standards must be demonstrated for the award of QTS to be made. Given the continuous nature of assessment all trainees have several opportunities throughout the year to receive feedback on their progress, and to rectify any areas of concern in good time before the Exam Board is convened. Bluecoat SCITT Alliance Nottingham engages to comply fully with the regulations outlined above on early detection of underperformance, in particular the support and target arrangements to be initiated where underperformance has been detected. As a result, and in keeping with the method of assessment by file, reassessment opportunities shall not normally be available to a trainee whose file fails to demonstrate fulfilment of the Teachers’ Standards at the Exam Board meeting. Nonetheless, the Exam Board has the sole and absolute discretion to interpret these regulations flexibly and may grant an extension to the period of training, in order to allow a trainee more time to fulfil all of the Teachers’ Standards. Without prejudice to this discretion, no extension will normally be granted except where valid reasons for poor performance – specified below - can be made out. No extension will be granted following any illness which gives rise to doubts over medical fitness to teach as per the regulations outlined elsewhere in this handbook. Where an extension is granted, a trainee will be reassessed for QTS according to the same standards as the original requirements for assessment. The Exam Board will specify the evidence required to be provided by the trainee and the period of time given for the extension. A trainee may be required to undertake specific training activities again before reassessment. Where an extension crosses from one academic year to another, fees shall fall to be paid in line with the fee schedule stipulated for the new academic year, in addition to any fees already charged. Trainees remain personally liable





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for the payment of fees, irrespective of their funding source. Independently of the decision of the Exam Board, the Principal has sole and absolute discretion to waive any additional fee obligation, or otherwise redefine the fee due and schedule for payment, on compassionate grounds. Failure to meet the conditions stated by the Exam Board for reassessment, or failure to fulfil the Teachers’ Standards in their entirety upon reassessment shall result in a trainee failing the programme. In this event, DfE & TRA shall be notified and provisional registration as a trainee teacher revoked.

ASSESSMENT FOR STUDENTS WITH SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS Bluecoat SCITT Alliance Nottingham is committed to making every reasonable effort to accommodate trainees who are legitimately prevented from meeting all of the assessment criteria, by reason of special needs. Nothing in this commitment shall require Bluecoat SCITT Alliance Nottingham to deviate from its legal and regulatory obligations in relation to Health and Safety, medical fitness to teach or professional incompetence. The Exam Board may vary the methods of assessment taking into account the learning outcomes of the programme and the need to assess all trainees on equal terms. Such procedures would are to be agreed by the Exam Board prior to a trainee’s first interim review. Bluecoat SCITT Alliance Nottingham is not required to guarantee that special arrangements can be made in all cases, especially taking into account the regulatory requirements listed above. However, where special arrangements cannot be made, the reason will be given to the trainee in writing. Failure to implement any special arrangements which have been formally agreed may be grounds for an appeal.

VALID REASONS FOR POOR PERFORMANCE Bluecoat SCITT Alliance Nottingham will make provision for valid reasons for poor performance to be taken into account by assessors and by the Exam Board. Where valid reasons are given prior to the meeting of the Exam Board, assessors will make provision, and set targets as deemed to be reasonable, having regard to the nature of the trainee deficiency, and the amount of time left before presentation of the trainee file to the Exam Board is required. Where valid reasons are given to the Exam Board, a reassessment opportunity may be given at the sole discretion of the Exam Board, as outlined above in the procedures for reassessment. Poor performance might be a result of extenuating circumstances, trainee absence and/or poor performance in part of an assessment activity. Valid reasons may be illness or some other unforeseen or sudden circumstance that was outside the trainee’s control. No reason shall be valid unless corroborated by written evidence. Ultimately, the Exam Board will decide whether or not the trainee has presented a valid case and shall have sole discretion to dispose of the presentation as it sees fit, having regard to the need to treat all trainees equally and fairly, without placing any trainee at an unfair advantage or disadvantage. Where the Exam Board is not satisfied that the trainee has presented a valid case, the trainee does not have a right to be reassessed. Where the Exam Board is satisfied that there is sufficient evidence of the trainee’s achievement, the trainee may be recommended for the award of QTS. In order to reach a decision the Exam Board may assess the candidate by whatever means it considers appropriate.





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COMPLAINTS The majority of issues raised by staff, trainees, parents or pupils are concerns rather than complaints. Bluecoat SCITT Alliance is committed to taking concerns seriously, at the earliest stage, in the hope of keeping the number of formal complaints to a minimum and without recourse to formal procedures. However, in those instances where a trainee does not feel that a concern has been addressed, or it is of sufficient gravity, then Bluecoat SCITT Alliance’s formal complaints procedure should be used. The prime aim of Bluecoat SCITT Alliance’s policy is to resolve the complaint as fairly and speedily as possible. Formal complaints will be dealt with in a sensitive, impartial and confidential manner. The following details outline the stages that can be used to resolve complaints. The Bluecoat SCITT Alliance Policy has five main stages In summary they are as follows: Stage 1 A concern is raised informally with an appropriate member of staff.

If the matter is not resolved then it goes to: Stage 2 Bluecoat SCITT Alliance receives a formal written complaint. If the matter is not

resolved then the complaint goes to: Stage 3 The Principal of Archway Learning Trust who hears the details of the complaint and

arranges a further investigation. If the matter is still not resolved then the complaint goes to:

Stage 4 The Governing Body’s Complaints Appeal Panel for a formal hearing of the complaint. Stage 5 Reference of the complaint to the Office of the Independent Adjudicator Stage 1 – Raising a concern Concerns can be raised with BSAN at any time and will often generate an immediate response which will resolve the concern. Apart from BSAN normal procedures for consultation with trainees, or other arranged meetings with specific staff, BSAN requests that trainees make their first contact with their Mentor, or Subject Trainer. On some occasions the concern raised may require investigation or discussion with others, in which case there will be an informal but informed response within a day or two. It is anticipated that the vast majority of concerns will be satisfactorily dealt with in this way. Stage 2 – Making a complaint Formal complaints should be put in writing and addressed to Archway Learning Trust Principal. The complaint will be logged, including the date it was received. The Trust will normally acknowledge receipt of the complaint within two days of receiving it. At this stage the complaint will be delegated to the Leadership member with direct responsibility for the particular area (in this case normally the Head of BSAN). Following further investigation, that will consider any action that the Trust has taken to resolve the issue, the Trust will provide either a written response or convene a meeting to discuss the matter. This meeting will normally take place within five working days of the receipt of the formal complaint, but in any case, within no more than ten working days. If, on the other hand, it is felt that the matter is too serious to be dealt with at this stage, then the matter will be passed directly to the Principal * (see Stage 3 below). The aim will be to resolve the matter as speedily as possible.





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Stage 3 – Further Investigation If the matter has not been resolved at Stage 2, or it is felt that the matter is too serious to be dealt with at Stage 2, the Principal, or another designated member of senior staff, will undertake a further investigation. Following the investigation, the academy will normally give a verbal or written response within five working days but in any case within no more than ten working days. * N.B. In cases where the matter concerns the conduct of the Principal, or Vice Principal for Teaching and Learning both the Governing Body and the Principal will be informed of the complaint and the governors will arrange for the matter to be investigated further. The Trust will normally give a response within five working days, but in any case within no more than ten working days. Stage 4 – Appeal If the matter has still not been resolved at Stage 3, then the academy will advise the complainant of the right to refer the complaint to the Governing Body. Complainants should send their written complaint to the Chair of Governors asking for the matter to be considered by the Governors’ Appeal Panel with delegated powers to hear complaints. The hearing will normally take place within ten working days of the written request for Stage 4 investigation. The aim of the Appeal panel hearing is to impartially resolve the complaint and to achieve reconciliation between the school and the complainant. All parties will be notified of the Panel’s decision in writing within three working days after the date of the hearing. The letter will also contain details of any further rights of redress available. Stage 5 – OIA Trainees may refer their complaint to the Office for the Independent Adjudicator, details of which can be found at http://www.oiahe.org.uk/ or via post: Office for the Independent Adjudicator Second Floor Abbey Gate 57 – 75 Kings Road Reading RG1 3AB Telephone: 0118 959 9813 Email: [email protected]

http://www.oiahe.org.uk/mailto:[email protected]





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CONDITIONS FOR THE AWARD OF QTS The Examination Board is responsible for recommending the award of QTS. Successful completion of the course will require (inter alia):

1. Completion of all work to a minimum satisfactory level including Extended Learning Tasks. 3. Completion of teaching practice which meets the minimum expectation against the Teaching

Standards. 4. High level of attendance (usually 95%) and punctuality for all elements of the course. Attendance

falling below this may require additionally training days to be added at the discretion of the Vice Principal for Teaching and Learning. Attendance that is below 90% will be brought to the attention of the Final Exam Board.

All trainees are informed that recommendation for the award of QTS shall be determined by the Exam Board, whose decision shall be final, subject to the findings of the Assessment Appeals Committee, where appropriate. No trainee whose classroom performance is deemed to fall into the “standards not met” category may be deemed fit for the award of QTS, and no representations will be entered into by Bluecoat SCITT Alliance Nottingham that the contents of the trainee’s file mitigates poor classroom performance. Progress will be checked weekly and targets set for the following week. Failure to meet these targets may result in the trainee receiving a “Cause for Concern” letter. This is not an indication of failure, but is a notification of the risk of failure and a statement of areas in which the trainee is making less than satisfactory progress, with a timescale within which such matters should be rectified. Failure to respond appropriately to a “Cause for Concern”, however, can lead to the termination of training. This is decided by the Head of SCITT and shall be subject only to the provisions for Assessment Appeals outlined in the Quality Assurance Handbook.

CIRCUMSTANCES FOR SUSPENSION OR TERMINATION OF TRAINING All work undertaken in a school or other environment that brings an individual into contact with children carries a fiduciary duty in respect of conduct and behaviour and all trainees are expected to conduct themselves in line with their legal responsibilities as adults in light of this. Due respect must be paid to the good name and reputation of the institutions involved. Provisional registration with DfE & TRA on entry to the programme brings trainee teachers into the same regulatory framework as serving teachers and ensures that the same standards of behaviour be observed. Further detail on the standard of behaviour required of teachers can be found in the Teachers’ Standards as exemplified on the DfE website. 1. Trainee Misconduct The following particular instances constitute trainee misconduct. This list is not exhaustive.

Any form of misconduct in assessment. Dishonesty of any kind, and in particular falsification of identity or qualifications in order to

obtain admission to the programme or to obtain a pecuniary advantage. Failure to disclose information relating to previous criminal convictions, cautions, bind-overs

or other such penal sanction as applies in any jurisdiction, insofar as this is required by the Department of Education and current legal and regulatory frameworks.

Engaging in any behaviour liable to give offence to pupils, trainees, staff or the local community, particularly (but not limited to) racist, sexual or sexist behaviour.

Preventing, obstructing or disrupting the normal business of educational institutions or the delivery of teaching and learning to trainees by Bluecoat SCITT Alliance Nottingham.

Misappropriation of funds or assets of Bluecoat SCITT Alliance Nottingham or partner





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institutions. Deliberate or reckless misuse or abuse of equipment or resources of any member of the

Bluecoat SCITT Alliance Nottingham partnership, whether or not damage occurs as a result. Invading or attempting to invade the privacy and security of confidential material and files,

including those held within computer systems. Failure to follow the accepted codes of dress and behaviour of our partner institutions. Any act which contravenes Safeguarding regulations at Bluecoat SCITT Alliance Nottingham or

any partner institutions. Persistent lack of punctuality or persistent absenteeism without the provision of a medical

note by a registered General Practitioner. However, nothing in the preceding comment shall excuse a trainee from compliance with the conditions relating to medical fitness to teach, nor shall the provision of a medical note prevent Bluecoat SCITT Alliance Nottingham from taking such action as prescribed in sections elsewhere on Medical Fitness to Teach.

If any of the above occurs (or other such event deemed to be misconduct by Bluecoat Academy SCITT) the Vice Principal for Teaching and Learning has the authority to withdraw the offer of a placement and will inform the Principal at Bluecoat SCITT Alliance Nottingham. No obligation shall arise on the part of the SCITT to find an alternative placement for the trainee, who may subsequently be subject to temporary or permanent termination of training without refund or repayment of tuition of fees. The payment of fees, as laid down in the Learning Contract, shall still be incumbent upon the trainee personally, irrespective of their source of finance. 2. Physical and Mental Fitness to Teach

Medical fitness to teach, as prescribed by DfEE Circular 4/99 (or as amended) determines the minimum level of medical fitness required for admission and completion of initial teacher training in England. Bluecoat SCITT Alliance Nottingham may impose permanent or temporary termination of training under the following conditions:

1. Confirmation by an independent physician that a trainee’s health has deteriorated prior to, or during training, such that the minimum conditions laid out for fitness to teach cease to be met. An “independent physician” is a GP appointed by Bluecoat SCITT, who shall not be related to the trainee or have acted as the trainee’s own GP. Engagement of an independent physician shall be determined by the Vice Principal for Teaching and Learning, upon the raising of a concern about a trainee’s health. In the event that a medical opinion shall be required in the circumstances outlined in points [3] below, any associated costs shall fall to be settled by the trainee. This condition shall form part of the learning contract signed by the trainee upon enrolment.

2. Failure by a trainee to submit to a medical assessment as in point [1] above, or failure to comply with the conditions imposed by an independent physician, including regular monitoring during the training programme.

3. Failure to disclose all medical information or falsifying medical information relating to a condition which would otherwise render the trainee ineligible for training, or which arises during the programme.

3. Professional Incompetence In order to gain Qualified Teacher Status, it is a requirement that trainees must meet all the Standards as identified in the Teachers' Standards (DfE: 2013) The Vice Principal for Teaching and Learning, shall consider termination of training:

Where, in the professional judgement of the SCITT a trainee cannot demonstrate basic competence and ability to conduct themselves professionally and to fulfil the duties of a teacher

Where a trainee does not meet targets set to rectify a cause for concern or persistently fails





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to follow advice

Where a cause for concern is deemed to be substantially and materially impeding pupil progress

Full copies of the appeals and complaints procedures can be found in the handbook. The Vice Principal for SCITT is required to inform the Department for Education of any trainee teachers removed from or leaving the course as a result of misconduct.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION Partner institutions undertake to ensure that they are fully compliant with their obligations under Health and Safety legislation and that the necessary Employers and Public Liability insurance arrangements are in place. Bluecoat SCITT Alliance Nottingham does not provide personal accident or property insurance in respect of you, your vehicle, or third parties injured by you in transit to or from training. Whilst Bluecoat SCITT Alliance Nottingham will make all reasonable efforts to ensure that trainees have appropriate skills, honesty and reliability, no liability will be accepted by Bluecoat SCITT Alliance Nottingham for any loss, damage or expense arising from a trainee’s negligence, misconduct or inability. We cannot be held responsible for your actions, errors and omissions. Conditions for the award of up to 60 Masters Credits are determined by Sheffield Hallam University, whose quality assurance procedures and academic regulations apply to this component of the programme. All decisions in relation to the award of Masters Credits are made by the Exam Board at Sheffield Hallam University, whose decisions are final, subject to such procedures for appeal Sheffield Hallam University may prescribe from time to time. Bluecoat SCITT Alliance Nottingham is not responsible for any such decisions by the University and shall not enter into representations with Sheffield Hallam University on issues of examiners' decisions or academic appeals in relation the award of M Level credits. Trainees are advised to pay attention to the regulations and quality assurance procedures of Sheffield Hallam University in this regard, which documentation will be available to trainees upon registration for the MA programme. The award of M Level Credits shall not imply fitness to teach, as per the Teachers' Standards, and no right shall accrue to a trainee in respect of the acquisition of QTS as a result of the award of M Level Credits by Sheffield Hallam University. Recommendation for the award of QTS shall be determined by the Exam Board of Bluecoat SCITT Alliance Nottingham, whose decision shall be final, subject to the findings of an Assessment Appeals Committee, as necessary.





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FINANCIAL AND SUPPORT PROCEDURES 2019/20: The course fees for Bluecoat SCITT Alliance Nottingham are set at £9000 per annum for September 2019. This is due as per the schedules below.

INSTALMENT DUE DATE TUITION FEE

First 16th

October 2019 25%

Second 5th

February 2020 25%

Third 6th

May 2020 50%

We will ask for confirmation of how trainees intend to pay BSAN on the first day of term if you have not already informed us [CROSS REFERENCE DOCUMENT “Tuition Fee Agreement Form” e.g

Cheque or credit card for the full amount (cheques made payable to Archway Learning Trust)

Debit card payments for the full amount

By tuition fee loan from the Student Loans Company (application is the responsibility of the trainee)

BACS payments

If payment has not been made within 14 days (including weekends) of the instalment due dates, a £50 late payment fee will be incurred. In addition, Bluecoat SCITT Alliance reserves the right to consider restricting access to the full SCITT programme. If a trainee leaves before 1

st December 2019 they will be liable for the first £4000. If they leave on or

after 1st December 2019, or your training is terminated by BSAN you will be liable for the full £9000

fee. The recommendation for QTS and M Level Credits will be withheld from any trainee who fails to honour monetary debts or fails to return any equipment or books loaned to them by BSAN or its partner institutions. Please note that trainees remain personally liable for payment of their fees, irrespective of their source of funding. Refusal to provide funding by Student Finance England does not exempt a trainee from the requirement to settle all fees promptly. If a trainee were to withdraw or fail the QTS element being offered by BSAN, there would be an option for the trainee to continue with the PGCE offered by Sheffield Hallam University. Any outstanding fees owed to Sheffield Hallam University would become the responsibility of the trainee.

Financial Incentives

Bursary or Scholarship The Department for Education will pay training bursaries of various amounts depending on specialism. Full details of available bursaries, together with conditions for payments can be found at http://www.education.gov.uk/get-into-teaching/funding Scholarships are paid in the same way as the bursary but are approved by the Professional Association for the relevant subject. Trainees will need to make an application to the Professional Association and be assessed as eligible accordingly. Please note that bursaries or scholarships, where payable, are transferred to trainees on approval or meeting the eligibility criteria by Bluecoat SCITT Alliance Nottingham and that trainees will be required to provide bank account details for the receipt of their bursary for this purpose. Bluecoat SCITT Alliance Nottingham reserves the right to reclaim any funds paid to a trainee in error, or as a result of false declarations. No trainee shall be recommended for the award of QTS until all financial obligations are fulfilled. Tuition fees shall not be settled by offsetting bursary or scholarship payments against tuition fees owed.

http://www.education.gov.uk/get-into-teaching/funding





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Additional Financial Support Refer to the following DfE websites for up to date information about other loans and grants available each year (as this is subject to change): https://getintoteaching.education.gov.uk/funding-my-teacher-training/extra-financial-support https://getintoteaching.education.gov.uk/funding-my-teacher-training/tuition-fee-and-maintenance-loans

https://getintoteaching.education.gov.uk/funding-my-teacher-training/extra-financial-supporthttps://getintoteaching.education.gov.uk/funding-my-teacher-training/tuition-fee-and-maintenance-loanshttps://getintoteaching.education.gov.uk/funding-my-teacher-training/tuition-fee-and-maintenance-loans





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ITT REVIEW This review will take place over 1 day and may include all subject leaders, the Head of SCITT and mentors from partner schools. The review will be undertaken by either, the Principal, their delegate or someone that BSAN employ to undertake the review. The report should give brief feedback on each of the key headings.

1. Compliance of the SCITT Against ITT Compliance Compliance against

Entry slection

Training

Management

Employment

Financial

2. Benchmarking Against Ofsted Criteria

Outcomes for trainees

Quality of training across the Partnership

Leadership and management of the partnership

3. Quality and Consistency of Observations

Observation records

Feedbacks

Targets

Action Plans

4. Monitoring of Progress against QTS standards.

Assessment

Moderation evidence

Early Detection of Under-Performance and Intervention

5. Quality of trainee experience

Feedback from trainees

Session evaluations

Record keeping/meetings logs and targets

Quality of trainee file

Documents

Bluecoat SCITT Alliance Nottingham Quality Assurance Handbook · 2020. 3. 30. · Bluecoat SCITT Alliance Nottingham is responsible for the creation of the regulatory frameworks governing