Support and Enrichment Opportunities
Everybody brings a different set of skills and knowledge to teaching and, from experience in volunteering work, in schools or in previous careers, whatever you bring to your role as a beginning teacher is a valuable asset.
As a teacher you are first and foremost, a leader in your classroom, and from the very beginning of your teaching training you will utilise and develop your leadership and management potential. Our stimulating learning environment, alongside the support and enrichment opportunities we provide will help you develop vital skills for your own personal growth and career progression. These include:
- Confidence
- Communication
- Teamwork
- Leadership
- Organisation
- Adaptability
- Problem solving
Support
It may seem daunting at this stage, but you will be taught and supported by university academics who are all experienced teachers, many of whom are recognised nationally and internationally for their work, as well as a strong partnership team of school-based mentors and coordinators.
Our school-based colleagues work closely with university tutors to develop our programmes and they attend numerous development events throughout the academic year. This ensures your experience on the course is personalised, relevant and coherent.
We all want to see you succeed and build a long and happy career in teaching, so we work hard to maintain our relationship with you beyond your teacher training year. As a member of our alumni, you will have opportunities to get involved in our Special Interest Groups, seminars and conferences as your career progresses to ensure your knowledge stays fresh and current.
We believe in trying to offer a personalised route through your Initial Teacher Education programme, putting you at the heart of everything we do so that you can make the best possible progress and explore personal areas of interest.
We are proud to promote and celebrate diversity in the teaching workforce as part of our commitment to our equality and diversity pledge. At the university we host network groups for different members of our student community. These include groups for:
- internationally educated students
- career changers
- care givers
- neuro-diverse students
- students with mental health challenges
- Black and Global Majority students
- LGBTQ+ students
Through these networks we are able to provide a safe space to connect, share experiences and discuss issues important to you. We also signpost regional networks that exist to support teachers.
Our School Welfare Officer also offers personal support and, as a member of the university, you will have access to the wide range of support available to all University of Nottingham students.
Enrichment
As an Initial Teacher Education student, you will have access to a wide range of enrichment opportunities to personalise your experiences. These will include:
- Time in a special school
- Immersion days in partnership schools with a key focus for professional development
- Special Interest Groups
- Subject Interest Groups
- School of Education seminars and events
In previous years we have supported student teachers to undertake a Mental Health First Aid England Youth Mental Health First Aider course.