The United Synagogue

SCITT

What is a SCITT?

There are many benefits attached to training within a SCITT. For the trainee, the benefits are seen as translating both theory into practice and acquired knowledge into reality. School centred teacher training enables trainees to learn from skilled and experienced practitioners within a learning environment.
The schools also benefit by forming effective partnerships with other schools and teaching institutions; developing an awareness of new and relevant research which enables each school to remain at the cutting edge of pedagogical and professional development.

"Heads who offer placements to trainee teachers may reap the benefits - and wave goodbye to recruitment problems. Massive spin-off benefits from offering placements to trainees include the sharpening of skills of existing staff; pupil's progress better and recruitment and retention difficulties are eased."
Times Educational Supplement - 29 March 2002

Why choose this SCITT?


  • high quality training is at the heart of the SCITT programme
  • good OFSTED grades

  • the school-based environment gives trainees the knowledge and skills required for effective teaching

  • trainees have time to develop, share good practice, and gain insight from their tutors and other teachers with substantial teaching experience

  • no problems with early Fridays or Jewish holidays

  • excellent chance of being recruited by one of the consortium schools on completion of the course

  • all teaching practices take place in Jewish schools



The rationale for the programme

The rationale for setting up the programme was to increase the pool of first class practitioners who demonstrate an affinity with and an ability to contribute to the Jewish ethos of partnership schools.

Consortium Aims

The Consortium aims to:

  • provide high quality, initial teacher training and education for teachers wishing to teach either in the Jewish primary school system or in the wider community

  • develop teachers who are able to place great emphasis on the spiritual, moral, social and cultural development of pupils within, essentially though not exclusively, a Jewish environment

  • provide a training which will enable all trainees to be comfortable and confident in Jewish schools

    • develop teachers who will bring to their pupils a deep understanding of a major
  • faith community which features prominently in the locally agreed syllabuses of most, if not all, education authorities;

  • enable trainees to develop skills, understanding and knowledge in the learning outcomes described in Qualifying to Teach

  • capitalise on the expertise contained within Consortium schools with a view to sharing and extending good educational practice

  • develop a group of schools that can become centres of excellence - especially in training - whose focus will be to develop quality and competence in teaching

  • extend the partnership between the schools in the Consortium, the University of Hertfordshire, who delivers the National Curriculum element of the course, Roehampton University and the United Synagogue Agency for Jewish Education



Course Overview

The Jewish Primary Schools Consortium offers a PGCE validated by the Roehampton University. This one-year training programme will, on successful completion, give trainees Qualified Teacher Status as well as a Post Graduate Certificate in Education.

The aims of the course are to:

  • provide an intellectual and professional programme of training in the Foundation Stage, Key Stage 1 and Key Stage 2.

  • support and encourage trainees to take responsibility for their own learning and be able to reflect critically upon their continuing professional development

  • develop trainees' knowledge and understanding of the Foundation Stage, Key Stage One and Key Stage Two curriculum to support effective teaching
  • foster an understanding of how children develop and learn

  • help trainees develop professional skills in


      • i.observation and evaluation
      ii.organisation of children's learning
      iii.classroom management
      iv.communication skills
      v.assessment, recording and reporting



Trainees can choose to follow a training option to teach pupils aged 3 to 7 years (Foundation and Key Stage 1) or 5 to 11 years (Key Stages 1 and 2).
All trainees will be tutored in the teaching and assessment of all National Curriculum subjects. The consortium draws on the expertise of staff from the University of Hertfordshire, the Roehampton University, the United Synagogue Agency for Jewish Education, the London School of Jewish Studies, class teachers, subject co-ordinators and the designated school-based mentors.

The 40-week course includes a minimum of 18 weeks in school, during which time trainees will either observe lessons being taught or teach. The final assessment depends on the trainee successfully achieving the required Standards as set down in the QtT handbook and passing the PGCE course assignments.