Further 'African Adventure' planned for PGCE
Following the overwhelmingly positive feedback, from the first group of PGCE trainees and Graduate Teacher Programme teachers on their recent trip to Africa, it will be offered again in 2014.
PGCE and GTP trainees had the opportunity of this optional trip in April 2013. They were the first group of teachers to go to these projects with African Adventures. The trip, coordinated by Anne Srokosz, PGCE Tutor in the Southampton Education School, offered students the opportunity to experience the culture and scenery Kenya offers, including a Rift Valley Adventure Day.
Secondary PGCE trainee student Becky Jannaway comments, "The trip allowed me to build on my training both at university and whilst on placement, giving me the opportunity to develop my experience of teaching pupils with English as an additional language. To add to that, I was challenged to teach pupils with minimal resources."
Aims for trainees:
- Minimum 5 days working with school pupils (supporting development towards meeting Teacher Standards (TS) 1, 2, 5)
- Understanding of a different country’s education system – supporting an international dimension to the PGCE course
- Experience in a Kenyan school serving some of the country’s poorest children (personal development).
- Possible opportunity to build lasting links with a developing country’s school which might be continued into a teaching career and personal life in the future (TS 8)
- See some of the local environment and experience the culture.
The University of Southampton particularly ensures that Trainees are placed with the age group for which they are being trained to teach. The accompanying tutors will observe, support and work alongside trainees so that the week’s placement contributes effectively to their development as teachers.
All PGCE trainees and Schools' Direct teachers for 2013/14 will be contacted before September about the trip being offered again in 2014.
