Are you:
- A non-specialist teacher teaching maths or physics?
- A non-specialist teacher who could potentially teach maths or physics in addition to your main subjects?
- A teacher who wants to retrain as maths or physics teacher? or
- A teacher wishing to return to the profession to teach maths or physics?
If so, you could get free training from one of 101 schools in England.
The design and delivery of teacher subject specialism training is led by schools and includes face-to-face sessions, online modules, coaching and mentoring and lesson observation: this is embedded in teachers’ classroom practice.
Feedback from lead schools is that training has positively impacted on the confidence and effectiveness of non-specialist teachers. Other benefits include:
- increased subject knowledge and enthusiasm
- understanding and awareness of curriculum change
- better lesson planning
- a greater range of teaching strategies developed and deployed
The insider's view
This is what some of our lead schools say about how teacher subject specialism training is making a difference.
‘For those who completed the whole course, there was an awakening of their love of maths. Even when the course had finished they came back for more. There appears to be a real thirst for learning through problem solving and the teachers were very appreciated of the resources they helped to develop.’
‘Nearly all participants talk about the improved confidence. They also say that the course has given them ‘so many light bulb moments (countless really)’, and that the course has been ‘expansive and delivered in a way that have been easily able to transfer these skills to the classroom’.
‘I have three additional members of staff, who can now support the teaching of mathematics in my school. This is fantastic, not only for the professional development of my staff but for the staffing of lessons in a time where teacher recruitment is so difficult.’
‘We are delighted to improve the subject knowledge of two of our staff taking part in TSST. One is a Senior Assistant Head who teaches a range of subjects but has clearly benefited from the specialist input from the SLE course tutors. He will now model the most up-to-date mastery methods in his own teaching with his maths colleagues.’
‘Participants have told us they feel much more confident in their subject knowledge and have altered aspects of their teaching practice as a result of attending our TSST course. In addition to the subject knowledge content they benefitted from sharing resources, discussing pedagogical theories, the new curriculum and approaches to teaching various topics. They enjoyed seeing different teaching styles in action by observing mathematics lessons in two different schools.’
‘Heads have discussed the value of the TSST programme to develop existing talent and expertise in schools. This programme enables headteachers to redeploy teachers into shortage subjects and to support dynamic professional development.’
What previous participants have said about the training
‘This course has given me the confidence to change specialisms from PE to Physics. I would not be teaching physics without this course’.
‘My students are enjoying lessons and looking at physics in a completely different light, one even said ‘Are you sure this is physics Miss?’!’
‘I feel that this course has massively changed the way I approach the teaching of maths. I now include in my planning misconceptions and teach these before pupils begin independent work.'
Interested in applying?
Visit https://www.gov.uk/guidance/teacher-subject-specialism-training-courses to see what training is available near you.