Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need to have experience in schools before applying?
YES.
It is highly recommended that you gain some experience in mainstream school settings prior to application. As the SCITT course is only 10 months long, we must ensure that you can effectively ‘hit the ground running’.
As an absolute minimum we would expect you to have spent at least two weeks in school during the six months prior to application. However, the most successful candidates provide evidence of sustained and recent experience of a range of curriculum subjects and primary age groups in mainstream classrooms.
Will I have to find my own school?
It is your responsibility to find your own school(s) for experiences prior to the start of the course – this includes the post interview pre-course placement. Please be aware that schools will require any volunteers to be CRB checked.
The SCITT Director assumes responsibility for placing you in a Partnership school once you are registered on the course.
How far will I have to travel to school?
Dorset is a rural County and many of our Partnership schools are in small villages. Although we will try to place you in a school which is reasonably close to home you should be aware that a lengthy journey may be necessary. If you do not have your own transport we will do our best to place you in a school close to a public transport route.
What are the start and end times each day?
On centre based days the sessions run from 9.15 to 12.15pm and 1.00 to 4.00pm.
Whilst on school placement you are expected to arrive by about 8.00am so you can prepare for the day ahead. You will be expected to attend meetings after the children have gone home and therefore it is unlikely that your school day will end before 5.00 and sometimes later.