Performing Arts (Drama or Music)

“The Course Manager has established many good links with local theatre companies

and these groups enhance the drama training.”

“The music course includes a strong focus on

world and popular music.”

Ofsted

School Based Training in the Performing Arts

The Devon Secondary Teacher Training Group is a consortium of secondary schools and Devon County Council offering school-based training.

The Group offers:

• A distinctive and practical course of the highest quality (Ofsted Category A) leading to Qualified Teacher Status and a university validated Post Graduate Certificate in Education as part of a Masters or a Professional Certificate of Education.

• A course in specialist Drama teaching 11-18 with an opportunity also to develop teaching skills in Music and in some cases Dance

OR

• A course in specialist Music teaching 11-18 with an opportunity also to develop teaching skills in Drama and in some cases Dance

• 28 weeks school practice and 8 weeks study at The Training Centre, Newton Abbot

• A high success rate in securing teaching posts

The Performing Arts are strong in Devon Schools

• Drama and Music are taught by specialist teachers
• Very Good facilities for Drama and Music including recording and practice studios and theatre spaces
• Training and Quality Assurance received top marks in Ofsted 2004 inspection
• A long tradition of Arts Projects, including major Lottery grants
• High quality continuing professional development for serving teachers through the work of specialist Advisers
• Well-established use of video, computers and other technology in Performing Arts departments with access to specialist consultants in those fields
• Strong links with the local community in the Performing Arts
• Opportunities for Music and Drama trainees to collaborate on planning, teaching and special projects throughout the course.

Admission Requirements

All courses require as a minimum:

• A degree in a relevant subject (2:2 minimum) or equivalent

• GCSE Maths and English to Grade C level or above

At least 50% of the degree content should be in the target PGCE subject, and applicants must be able to demonstrate that they are able to communicate clearly and grammatically in spoken and written English.  Neither HNDs nor HNCs are accepted as degree equivalent for the purposes of PGCE entry.   Applicants must have met all academic requirements by the beginning of the course.

Prior to the commencement of the course, we would usually expect trainees to have had two weeks’ experience in a state secondary school, observing teachers in their chosen subject specialism,

We welcome applications from mature students and minorities.

What We Are Looking For

• Applicants with imagination and creativity
• Applicants who really want to teach
• Applicants with a passion for their subject
• Applicants with a liking for young people, especially teenagers
• Applicants who can cope with the pace
• Applicants with a positive 'can do' outlook
• Applicants who like to work with others
• Applicants who make the course a priority
• Applicants who are healthy, fit and emotionally robust
• Applicants with organisational skills
• Applicants with independent research skills
• Applicants who enjoy performance

Quality Assurance

The programme uses a range of strategies to monitor the quality of provision and ensure it is of the highest standard. The Quality Assurance Officer visits all schools during the year to observe practice and report back to the Management Group. Written assignments are moderated at a joint meeting of school and central staff. Trainees are observed jointly by their own and a visiting mentor to ensure parity. All trainees are seen teaching by a member of central staff and their professional tutor.

Quality Assurance Officer