PRESS RELEASE

18th September 2007

FULLY SUBSCRIBED CHARTERED TEACHER PILOT BEGINS

Thirteen teachers from across Wales gathered at the Swansea Institute of Higher Education to be the first participants in the much anticipated Chartered Teacher pilot being run by the General Teaching Council for Wales (GTCW).

The pilot scheme, which will run over two school years, will test each of the proposed taught modules that will form the basis of the prestigious Chartered Teacher benchmark. As part of the wider professional development framework, the Chartered Teacher milestone aims to give teachers a more structured and coherent route to professional development throughout their careers. Teachers will also have the option of a non-taught or Accreditation route and be able to opt to present a portfolio of work to demonstrate that they meet the exacting criteria expected of a Chartered Teacher.

This first taught module pilot, entitled ‘Talk for Thought’, has received huge interest from teachers, indicating the popularity of the proposed Chartered Teacher Status amongst the profession.

Provided by North Wales Institute of Higher Education (NEWI), Swansea Institute of Higher Education (SIHE) and the Basic Skills Agency, the ‘Talk for Thought’ module comprises 150 hours of learning and is open to middle leaders and/or classroom teachers. It will explore issues relating to speaking and listening in primary and secondary schools and will focus on the link between the development of oracy skills and pupil understanding. The module uses a blended learning approach that includes lectures, practical workshops and tutorial support, together with enquiry based action in the teachers’ own schools.

Ann Birch, of Swansea Institute of Higher Education, commented: “The Talk for Thought module identifies the difficulties pupils face in this area and reviews the range of strategies available for increasing the status and the impact of oracy in whole school approaches and in teaching across the curriculum. The aim is for those following this course to be better equipped to support under attaining pupils in their own classrooms, and contribute to ways of refining and improving the strategies used by the school for promoting thinking and understanding through oracy.”

Hayden Llewellyn, deputy chief executive of GTCW, commented: “We have been delighted with the interest generated in the Chartered Teacher Status pilot, leading to an oversubscribed first module. The Talk for Thought module aims to give those participating the opportunity for further professional development in an area of interest to them, whilst they will be instrumental in shaping the development of the Chartered Teacher Status programme.”

Debbie Spiers, Science teacher at Coed Cae School in Llanelli, who is one of the thirteen teachers chosen to take part in the pilot added: “It is a great privilege to be part of this pilot and be in a position to shape the nature of the Chartered Teacher Status programme for the teaching profession in Wales.

”The Talk for Thought module will give me an opportunity to go back to basics and learn strategies which will help my pupils learn. Ultimately, as a teacher there is nothing more satisfying than your pupils understanding and grasping what you are trying to teach them.”

Mike Chapman, teacher at Oakfield Primary School in Barry added: “The Chartered Teacher Status pilot offers valuable professional development which will improve and develop teachers’ practice within the classroom, something which is not so forthcoming for teachers in the middle of their careers.”

‘Talk for Thought’ is the first of many modules offered through the pilot which will test different approaches to the Chartered Teacher programme, namely two main routes – a ‘taught’ route and an accreditation route through which teachers can receive credit for their professional development and practice. ‘Talk for Thought’ will be part of the taught route.

For further information on the Chartered Teacher Status pilot, or GTCW’s Professional Development Framework, please contact Hayden Llewellyn on 029 2055 0350.