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Recruitment Policy

Recruitment Policy

Overview Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) Conduct expected of a trainee teacher / teacher Contact Us

Introduction

The policy applies to Harbour Learning Trust, the legal entity that operates the SCITT – East of England Teacher Training. This document outlines the policy and procedure for recruiting trainee teachers on to a course leading to the award of QTS. As Harbour Learning Trust is the legal entity that operates the SCITT, they will enforce the policy below. 

East of England Teacher Training recognises the importance of a rigorous recruitment process to secure sufficient high quality applicants to enrol as trainees on our teacher training programme. We are committed to ensuring that the recruitment and selection of trainees is a fair and effective process. Each procedure will meet the requirements of the Secretary of State’s ITT criteria and shall align with safer recruiting/safeguarding best practice.

This policy & procedure relates to applications for SCITT or School Direct vacancies and does not apply to Assessment Only. Please see separate guidance for Assessment Only Route into teaching.

Recruitment Procedure

Application Stage

Advertising of vacancies

  • All EoETT courses are advertised externally on https://www.gov.uk/find-postgraduate-teacher-training-courses
  • Further details can found on the website: www.eoettc.com by clicking the partnership section and viewing where we have placement schools

Applications

  • All applications for a trainee teacher position must be made through DfE Apply using their proforma. 
  • Applications should be made on the Get into Teaching website (DfE Apply): https://www.gov.uk/apply-for-teacher-training 
  • CVs will not be accepted.

References

  • One of the references should be from the applicant’s current or most recent employer and will come from a professional email account, for safer recruitment purposes
  • If the applicant is a recent graduate EoETT would expect that one of the references should be from the applicant’s University via a professional email account.
  • If the applicant is working or volunteering in a school, a school reference would be a requirement, via a school email account
    • If an applicant is volunteering in a school the reference would be from the headteacher
    • If the applicant is employed within a school a headteacher reference is required
  • The SCITT does not accept open references, testimonials or references from friends or relatives.
  • References must be provided on DfE forms via work/professional email addresses. Personal email accounts will not be accepted.
  • Where references are provided via personal accounts for Apply, EoETT will follow up directly to confirm the legitimacy of the reference and relation to the applicant.
  • If unsuitable references are provided on the Apply form EoETT will ask for further references to be provided as part of a conditional offer, due to safer recruitment practices.

Selection Stage

  • All applicants will initially be screened by a member of the EoETT team to check they meet or will have the capacity to meet the entry criteria of GCSE’s and degree. Notes are made if an applicant will need a specific equivalency test so this can be discussed and explored with them at interview. 
  • Work history will be examined and interviewers informed (via the selection form) of any ‘gaps’ in work history, so this can be discussed with the candidate
  • We will also undertake safer recruitment checks, so further questions can be asked about any previous convictions that have been declared and any references from personal email accounts, that can’t be verified
  • Any reasons for rejecting an applicant will be clearly identified at this stage.

Interviews

  • The interview process will explore the applicant’s ability to train to teach and EoETT are looking for ‘personality and potential’ to become a good trainee.
  • Applicants that have been selected for a ‘Phase 1’ interview, will be asked to identify their preferred training age range and their preferred ‘top 3’ schools from within the partnership that they would like to train in. Some partnerships have a single application code per school and this isn’t a necessary step (Josie Thirkell specifically)
  • EoETT will then contact these partnership Head teachers and seek their availability to interview with a member of the SCITT team, so Heads can see first hand the quality of the applicant as a member of the interview panel, with a view to them offering them a place to train in their school
  • All fee funded interviews will be online via zoom
  • Applicants will be asked to prepare an English or Maths lesson for the year group of their choosing; they have to send planning/resources/slides to the panel before the interview, so they have chance to look at these
  • During the first stage of the interview, applicants will be asked to discuss and describe their lesson and the panel may ask them questions about the lesson
  • The panel will assess the trainees persona/personality and also the lesson content/suitability on a sliding scale from 0-6 in the EoETT interview booklet
  • Following the lesson discussion, applicants will be asked a series of pre-planned questions using the EoETT interview booklet. All answers will be recorded on a scale from 0-3
  • Please note that no questions will be asked about health or medical fitness prior to any offer being made. Any discrepancies or anomalies will be followed up.
  • After the online interview the interview panel will discuss if it is felt that the applicant has the potential to be a good trainee and the applicant will move onto ‘Phase 2’ or be rejected
  • All applicants will be contacted by phone and given verbal feedback, in order to support them and answer any questions they may have. They are also sent a support letter with targets
  • If an applicant is successful a conditional offer will be placed on the DfE Apply system, however they must complete ‘Phase 2’ of the interview process and visit a partnership school for the day, to secure a training placement. During the day the school will look at: the persona and professionalism of the applicant, their ability to build effective relationships with the children, their ability to be proactive and use their own initiative.
  • If the placement school is happy to offer the applicant a place and they have passed phase 2, the condition is confirmed on the DfE Apply system.
  • If an applicant is not a ‘fit’ for a school they will be given a second opportunity to visit another partnership school in order to secure a placement. Any constructive feedback will be passed onto the applicant
  • If after two visits to partnership schools, the applicant still hasn’t been offered a training placement, EoETT will investigate reasons why and the Head of SCITT will make a decision on a case by case basis, as to whether the applicant is rejected or if they can explore a third training school
  • If applicants attend an online interview, they will be asked to provide details about their qualifications and prove their identity at a later date, before the start of the course.
  • Copies of applicants documents will be retained as per the EoETT retention policy.

Salaried Applicants

  • All salaried applicants will need to have an employing school prepared to employ them on the unqualified teacher scale point 1, as a minimum
  • All salaried interviews will be undertaken face to face in the supporting school (as it is an employed position), using the EoETT interview booklet
  • Applicants will be asked to teach a group of children for 30 minutes with an English or mathematics focus. 
  • Applicants will be assessed on personality/persona and lesson content/suitability, as they would in an online lesson, scored on a sliding scale of 0-6
  • Applicants will be asked the same questions face to face, as they would be in an online interview and scored on a sliding scale of 0-3
  • All applicants who are invited to an interview in a school will be required to bring evidence of their identity, address and qualifications. Original documents will only be accepted and photocopies will be taken. 
  • Copies of applicants documents will be retained as per the EoETT retention policy.

Offers

  • Immediately following a successful ‘Phase 1’ interview, applicants will be issued with a conditional offer on DfE Apply and sent a letter outlining these conditions
  • Finding a training school – Phase 2
    • EoETT helps applicants to find a training school within their partnership of schools and every applicant will identify their ‘top 3’ training schools from those with availability, within their desired training phase
    • As part of ‘Phase 2’ applicants must visit a potential placement school to check that they feel the school is a ‘fit’ for them
    • EoETT will guarantee local placements (host school and second school) to applicants living in Lincoln, Newark, Grantham or Grimsby.
    • Second school placements are organised by EoETT to ensure that the appropriate guidance is adhered to
      • Personal circumstances will be taken into consideration whilst organising these, where possible
  • All applicants will be subject to safeguarding and health checks within their offer 
  • Applicants offers will become unconditional on the DfE Apply system once they have satisfied all conditions as outlined in their offer letter

Health and physical capacity to teach

  • The SCITT has a responsibility to ensure that trainees have the health and physical capacity to teach and will not put children and young people at risk of harm. 
  • Successful applicants will be asked to complete a health questionnaire once an offer is accepted.
  • Successful applicants will be asked to complete a screening assessment with the SCITT Occupational Health Provider once an offer is accepted. 
  • Only targeted and relevant health- related questions which are necessary to ensure that a person is able to teach will be asked.
  • The SCITT will provide support and guidance to trainees who provide further information about identified needs. This may be following a DSA (Disabled Students Allowance) request via Student Finance England.
  • If appropriate, the fitness to practise policy will be followed.

School Placements

  • East of England Teacher Training will be responsible for securing appropriate placements of quality for trainees’ school experiences. 
  • School placement availability will be discussed during the interview process, as outlined above
  • The SCITT criteria for selecting schools is based on evidence of the school providing good and effective placements in primary education, together with a capacity and desire to offer high quality school based training to trainee teachers.

Trainees placements will take place in schools which:

  • have shared values and beliefs in the effectiveness of the school based ITT route;
  • have had successful experiences of supporting a range of different routes into ITT;
  • recognise that the trainee needs appropriate supervision and support during their training year;
  • recognise that the trainee needs time within school to complete their studies as part of their training course;
  • have been involved in the selection of the trainee, including being given the opportunity to use their own selection procedures during an orientation visit (part 2 of the interview process)  and could have even asked the trainee to teach or undertake their own interview;
  • provide a suitable setting and model of best practice for trainees;
  • provide models of good practice and suitably experienced school-based Senior Mentor and Mentor
  • are committed to continuing professional development and improvement in the provision of ITT

Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS)

East of England Teacher Training will undertake a Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check for trainees to ensure compliance with DfE criteria (excluding trainees on the School Direct salaried route where the responsibility is with the employing school).

  • It is unlawful for the SCITT to recruit anyone who is barred from working with children.
  • It is a criminal offense for any person who is barred from working with children to apply for a training course at the SCITT

 

Prior Convictions or Cautions

  • All potential trainees will be asked to declare any prior convictions or cautions on their application, asked to declare any at interview and during EoETTs safeguarding process and self declaration form.
  • Where there are any, the application will be referred to the Head of SCITT in the first instance. 
  • The application will then be referred to the Advisory Board to agree the suitability of the candidate for teaching; the board will reach a decision jointly, as to whether the candidate is suitable to train to teach and is able to start the course, adhering to the Teacher misconduct: the prohibition of teachers: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/teacher-misconduct-the-prohibition-of-teachers–3 
  • The decision of the board will be final.
  • EoETT will contact the placement school to discuss any declarations and agree if the potential trainee is able to train within the school.
  • Appropriate legal advice will be sought if necessary.


Dealing with cautions and convictions
The SCITT operates a formal procedure if an applicant declares on the self disclosure form, or if a DBS Certificate is returned with details of cautions and convictions.

In the event that relevant information (whether in relation to previous convictions or otherwise) is volunteered by an applicant during the recruitment process the Head of SCITT and the Advisory Board will evaluate all of the risk factors before a place is offered or confirmed (see section above). Full details of this process can be found within the EoETT Safeguarding and Safer Recruitment Policy.

Payment of Fees

Trainees on a SCITT or School Direct fee funded course are required to pay tuition fees to East of England Teacher Training during their training year. 

For courses starting in September, tuition fee amounts are:

  • £8500 for the QTS only course, or
  • £9250 for the QTS and PGCE course.

Payment of fees can be paid via a Student Finance tuition fee loan or by private finance from the trainee directly to East of England Teacher Training.

East of England Teacher Training will email trainees with the codes required to submit a student finance application after successful recruitment, and at this stage trainees must formally indicate if their preferred payment of tuition fees is not via Student Finance England.

Those paying by student loan are required to submit a Student Finance England application no later than 1st September and provide proof of application to East of England Teacher Training.

If an application to student finance is rejected, the trainee will be required to make payments by private finance in order to proceed with the course.

Payments are made directly from Student Finance England to East of England Teacher Training as per the below schedule:

  1. Payment 1 – 25% of fees is paid following confirmation of attendance in October 
  2. Payment 2 – 25% of fees is paid following confirmation of attendance in January 
  3. Payment 3 – 50% of fees is paid following confirmation of attendance in April 

Those paying via personal finance must discuss a finance payment plan with East of England Teacher Training. Usually payments will be collected in line with student finance payments and therefore the trainee will be invoiced as per the below schedule.

  1. Payment 1 – 25% of fees to be paid no later than October 31st 
  2. Payment 2 – 25% of fees to be paid no later than February 28th 
  3. Payment 3 – 50% of fees to be paid no later than May 31st 

Further details relating to fee payments can be found in the EOETT Fees Policy

Conduct expected of a trainee teacher / teacher

Professional Expectations

It is important that all adults working with children understand that the nature of their work and the responsibilities related to it, place them in a position of trust. Trainees must be clear about appropriate and safe behaviours for working with children in paid or unpaid capacities, in all settings and in all contexts.

Social Media usage

  • You should ensure that you do not send emails or submit posts on social networking sites (such as Facebook) that are defamatory or libelous in nature and that could result in legal action being taken.
  • Messages on personal pages or the EOETT Facebook/Twitter page should be sensitive towards other users and the tone, however informal, must be professional. At no time should reference be made to schools or pupils on personal Facebook pages or any social media posts.
  • You need to consider your ‘professional persona’ before you post on social media and be aware that your views can influence others (Part 2 of Teachers’ Standards).

Confidential information

Working in a school environment means having access, in a variety of ways, to information that must be regarded as confidential. As a general rule, all information received, no matter how it is received, should be regarded as sensitive and confidential. Trainees must not discuss school business outside of school and if they do will breach Part 2 of the Teachers’ Standards.

Trainee Learning Charter

You will be asked to sign and agree to this during the induction training.

East of England Teacher Training expects you to have high professional standards at all times. We believe that trainee teachers need to develop key attributes in order to be a successful teacher. During the course you will be asked to reflect on these seven areas of learning and ensure that you exemplify them at all times:

The DfE (2017) has identified these seven areas of learning as key behaviours for effective leadership. Being proficient in these areas, as a trainee, will ensure progressive professional development into your NQT year and beyond. We see trainees as leaders within their classroom and expect them to act as such.

Commitment: The best trainees are committed to their pupils and understand the power of world-class teaching to improve social mobility, wellbeing and productivity

  • act in a professional manner at all times, don’t undermine the teaching profession and uphold high standards of professional behaviours;
  • take responsibility for your training programme and familiarise yourself with the expectations of the course;
  • attend all training sessions, be punctual and explain all unavoidable absences/ lateness, as appropriate;
  • show a commitment to your training school by contributing to the wider life of the school.

Collaboration: The best trainees readily engage with, and invest responsibility in, those who are best placed to improve outcomes

  • communicate with your mentor/senior mentor in a timely, professional manner, meeting any planning deadlines set by the school;
  • act on the advice of your mentor and senior mentor, showing that you are able to meet targets weekly; 

Personal Drive: The best trainees are self-motivated and take a creative, problem-solving approach to new challenge

  • take the lead during your training year; ask questions, be proactive and take charge of your own learning;
  • be organised and aware of your training needs; use feedback to improve your practice;
  • organise observations of other professionals and visits to other schools, as appropriate.

Resilience: The best trainees remain courageous and positive in challenging, adverse or uncertain circumstances

  • be prepared to discuss your progress with your QA Tutor, Senior Mentor and Mentor as appropriate, accept constructive advice and raise any concerns in an appropriate and professional manner;
  • when you find the course hard, learn to reflect and always remember that at the centre of everything we do are children who deserve an outstanding education.

Awareness: The best trainees will know themselves and their areas for development, continually re ect on their own and others’ practices and understand how best to approach difficult or sensitive issues

  • act as a member of staff at school and take responsibility for upholding all school policies;
  • be especially vigilant with possible PREVENT and Safeguarding incidents, reporting any concerns to the lead professional;
  • safeguard yourself by making sure that you use technology appropriately, setting high security and not making friends with pupils or parents, in accordance to EoETT’s and your schools Acceptable Use Policy;
  • always know what your targets are and how you need to move forward to improve; push yourself and get the most from your training year.

 

Integrity: The best trainees act with honesty, transparency and always in the interests of the school and its pupils complete and submit assignments by the identified deadline;

  • present only your own work for assessment; plagiarism or presenting other people’s work as your own, or allowing others to use your work in this way will result in disciplinary action;
  • be honest and truthful in everything that you do;
  • dress in an appropriate, professional manner, according to the schools code of conduct, ensuring that tattoos are covered, hair is an appropriate colour and piercings removed, if required;
  • abide by the schools confidentiality policy and act with integrity at all times;

Respect: The best trainees respect the rights, views, beliefs and faiths of pupils, colleagues and stakeholders

  • demonstrate high professional values by respecting your QA Tutor, Senior Mentor and Mentor and valuing their opinions or advice, whether favourable or not;
  • act with courtesy and respect in all your communication with school based trainers and all EoETT personnel;
  • in the unlikely event of you wishing to withdraw from your training programme, abide by EoETT’s withdrawal and disengagement procedures and maintain a presence in your training school until such time as your withdrawal is agreed and finalised;
  • ensure mobile phones are switched off during training sessions, showing respect to the trainers;
  • behave responsibly in learning sessions, taking care not to disrupt the learning of others, acting with respect and courtesy towards your tutors and other trainees at all times;
  • inform the team immediately if your contact details or address change; • if you are ill, follow both the schools and EoETT’s absence policy and inform the appropriate people as soon as you are able to;
  • ensure that all school based staff are aware of your attendance at mandatory training sessions.

 

If your commitment to the Learning Charter is brought into question, disciplinary action may be taken following a full investigation.

Assessment

All trainees will be formatively tracked against EoETT’s personalised curriculum grid. During weekly meetings trainees will be observed, receive feedback, be tracked against the curriculum and be set targets by their mentors which are reviewed weekly.  All trainees are also assessed against the Teacher Standards (at the end of the course) and this is used as a summative tool to decide if the trainee has met the standards and passed the course or not. Any trainee who is not on trajectory of meeting the EoETT curriculum will be offered a support plan and an intensive support package will be put in place, to ensure they meet the Teachers’ Standards by the end of the course.

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