Secondary Teacher Training

As an Art & Design trainee teacher, you will be trained in all aspects of teaching your subject including Fine Art, Graphic Design, 3D processes, Printmaking etc. and how to use the relevant software and machines. You will learn about the common misconceptions and barriers that pupils face and how to help them overcome these and make progress. You will discover how to build students’ independence, resilience and motivation in the subject and have the opportunity to contribute to your school’s extra-curricular programme of visits and exhibitions.

As a Computing trainee teacher, you will be supported by experienced practitioners who can model outstanding practice and help you to develop your own skills as a professional. You will learn how to develop students’ computational thinking skills and teach them how to program in multiple languages from Python to C#. You will learn how to teach all aspects of Computer Science from binary to XML, developing students’ computing skills through engaging and exciting activities, as well as discovering how to build their investigative and independent learning skills.

As a Design Technology trainee, you will learn how to develop pupils’ skills and nurture their creativity in both traditional and vocational pathways. You will benefit from being fully integrated into the department so you can learn from expert practice and be involved in the extra-curricular programme of visits and exhibitions. Full training will be provided in the use of relevant 2D and 3D design software as well as workshop machinery. You will be able to develop your personal DT specialism – product design, textiles or food – whilst also gaining wider curriculum experience to enhance your skill set and future employability.

As an English trainee, you will learn how to develop pupils’ reading, writing and communication skills as well encouraging their appreciation for, and responses to, prose and poetry.  You will have the chance to observe and learn from expert teachers and gain the pedagogical skills necessary as an English teacher.  There will be plenty of opportunities to get involved in extra-curricular activities including Book week, Spoken Language Week and theatre trips.  You will also benefit from St Mary’s College’s formal partnership with the Royal Shakespeare Company to enhance your understanding and appreciation of how to teach young people about Shakespeare’s work and enduring influence.  

As a Geography trainee, you will be an integral part of your departmental team and learn how to teach and enthuse your students with a love of the subject and develop their wider interest in the world and its environment.  You’ll learn how to teach students about our planet’s people, places, landscapes, processes and natural history, as well as deepening their understanding about urgent global issues such as climate change, poverty, disease, migration, water, energy and biodiversity.  There will be opportunities to contribute to a vibrant extra-curricular programme, including supporting fieldwork expeditions.  

As a History trainee, you will benefit from being embedded in a department with an experienced and welcoming subject team who will support and guide you in your journey to become an excellent History teacher.  You will learn how to teach a wide range of curriculum topics from ancient history to the present day, and be able to observe how to bring these topics to life and help students see their modern day relevance.   Your subject training will include guidance on how to develop young people’s thinking and communication skills so that you can incorporate source analysis, class debate and problem-solving activities into your lessons successfully as well as helping build your confidence to deal with sensitive and emotive topics.  You will also be given opportunities to contribute to the lively extra-curricular history programme of lunchtime clubs and trips.   

As a Mathematics trainee, you will learn how to encourage every student you teach to reach their full Mathematics potential.  You will receive regular and constructive feedback on your teaching to help you improve, plus detailed guidance on the most effective strategies for teaching the full range of Key Stage 3 and 4 Mathematics topics such as number, algebra, ratio and proportion, rates of change, geometry, probability and statistics.  You will learn how to bring out the relevance of Mathematics to young people and help them build the growth mindset and resilience to tackle increasingly challenging problems.  You will also have the opportunity to be part of a lively and full extra-curricular programme of clubs, trips and events.  

As an MFL trainee, you will complete your training in a supportive department of subject specialists, all working together to foster young people’s love of languages and appreciation of other cultures.  You will observe and learn from the expert practice of your colleagues and develop your own ability to plan engaging lessons in which pupils make rapid progress in the target language whilst also having fun.  You will also have the opportunity to contribute to the vibrant and wide-ranging extra curricular programme of clubs, exchanges and trips.  

As a Music trainee, you will learn from experienced and supportive subject specialists who will help you develop your classroom confidence to teach all aspects of the Key Stage 3 and 4 music curriculum, including performance, compositions and analysis topics.   You will have the opportunity to contribute to the rich variety of extra-curricular music groups and performances that are available, including the school orchestras, small ensembles, choirs, concerts and school productions.  

As a PE trainee, you will be embedded in a high-performing faculty where you will learn how to teach PE and sport to both core and exam groups across the 11-16/18 age range.  You will gain practical experience of teaching a wide range of sports and skills, including trampolining, gymnastics, football, and inclusive sports.  You will also be expected to be involved in the busy extra-curricular programme of inter-school sports on offer.  

As an RE trainee, you will learn how to teach the subject across the 11-16 age range by observing expert teaching and receiving detailed feedback and guidance.  You will learn how to teach different religious issues and help students see how religious teachings might be applied to current real-world issues.  You will gain confidence to teach important, but sensitive, topics such as those about marriage, family, and death and how to handle students’ common questions or misconceptions. Ultimately, you will be helping young people seek answers to some of life’s deepest questions, as they grow into independence and work out their own values and beliefs.  

As a Science trainee, you will receive detailed training in your subject specialism but also in the other two disciplines as well as it is important for Science teachers to be able to teach the broad curriculum.   You will have ample opportunities to learn from expert teachers and to observe their practice so that you can teach a wide range of science topics and practicals with confidence.  You will learn about some of the common misconceptions and learning barriers that students face in Science and how to help overcome these.   You will also be able to contribute to the busy programme of extra-curricular clubs, revision sessions and trips that your faculty offers.