Preliminary Placements

About this time some of you are already in primary schools and others preparing to go in next week. You need to complete the preliminary assignment using the booklet and list of activities sent to you in the pre-course mailing. For one activity, Activity A you need a new link to the critique of the Rose Review.

Here it is http://www.ukla.org/downloads/UKLA_response_to_rose_review.pdf . In your response to both readings in that activity you need to identify key issues raised and then go on to explore your own ideas of the implications for your teaching of history.

When you arrive at the School of Education we will debrief your experiences in school during the first sessions on Monday 27th September.

In the meantime some important dates for next year

13-27th September

• Preliminary Attachment of two weeks in a primary school including two days ina secondary school focusing on the transition experiences of year 7 pupils.
• Completion of preliminary assignment based on your school experienced in these two weeks

During this period please ensure you have made all arrangements for registering with the University and fee payments in order for you to register at the latest on 27th September. Any documents you have for finances including fee loans may be needed by University registry staff so pelase have these ready an organised.

27th September, start of course.

• Complete registration in order to be able to receive bursary payment

27th September - 15th October University Course

18th October

• You start your induction (two days each week) into your first school placements which continue until the end of January. Three days each week are spent in the University: This includes the half term week.

8th November - 9th December

• Full time school placement teaching approximately 50% timetable

13-17th December READING WEEK for Assignment One: the focus for this assignment will have been decided in November and you will have already done some preliminary reading and some research in schools

4th January 2011 University Assignment One submission Date

• University session on applying for your first job.

5-28 January 2011 Continued work in schools with reduced timetable in order to carry out work on professional development focii

31 January 2011 Return to University

1st February 2011 Schools' Assessment on your progress during first placement is discussed in progress tutorial at the University.

31 Jan – 11 March University Course Continues

NB 21 – 25 Feb (schools' half term) No timetabled Commitment

14th March Second School Placement begins

EASTER VACATIONS will vary depending on the schools you are placed in during march 2011. Please avoid booking any holiday until you are certain of the dates of your easter vacation.

3rd May University Assignment Two to be delivered by post or by hand to Secondary PGCE office by 4.30 p.m. today

May - External Examiner Visits to schools

30 May – 3 June (Schools' Half Term ) University course continues

6th June Schools' Assessment on your progress during second placement is received by University Tutor

17th June School placement finishes

20th June University Course continues

21st June Examination Board

22nd June Preparation for career entry and planning in University: final tutorials

23rd June History Subject group Final Day *

24th June Course finishes- End of Course Valedictory Ceremony :

*During the final week I ask the group to oarganise a celebratory day out - nothing expensive or complicated - see the photos of the picnic at Chatsworth which was a lovely end of year celebration for the history group. This takes place on THURSDAY 23rd June

Dates in Blue are assessment dates during the course

Dates In Green relate to school holidays: You do not have every school holiday as holiday. This has clear implications for child minding for some of you. October and May Half terms are spent in the University and, like the easter holiday, vary from one authority to the next. Christmas break begins on 17th December and February Half term is free of any University commitments. If you look at the University Assignment submission dates you will probably have worked out that over Christmas and Easter you are likely to be working on your University Assignments.

Now, go out and get a really good diary (large size may be useful) and year planner, put these dates in your diary and on your planner. You will need these to help you organise your work both in the University and in School (dates of parents' evenings, after school meetings, training commitments in school, school trips, and more!)