School placements

For the majority of the course, trainees are school-based.

All trainees generally undertake placements in 2 different schools.

The duration/format of placements is as follows:

Trainees will be welcomed into their placement schools as members of staff from the start of the course & are encouraged to become involved in all aspects of school life, including tutoring, PSHCE lessons, extra-curricular activities, trips, etc.

Wherever possible, school placements are arranged taking into account trainee preferences, home location, trainee access to own vehicle or reliance on public transport, etc. However, we cannot guarantee a placement in any specific school. Not all of our partner schools are able to offer placements in every subject & the specific subjects each school can offer to us each year varies. This means that on occasions it may be necessary for the WRA to arrange a placement for a trainee in a non-WRA partner school. The WRA will, of course, liaise with any non-WRA partner school & any trainee placed therein, in the same way as if they were on placement in a WRA partner school. Please be assured that we work hard to arrange the most appropriate placements, & minimise travel distance/time as much as possible, for every one of our trainees.

In each placement school, trainees will have a designated Department Subject Mentor to oversee their development & with whom they will meet formally each week to discuss progress, obtain advice & set targets. The WRA is fortunate to have skilled practitioners as mentors in our partner schools who receive annual training from the WRA & respective link university.

All WRA partner school & university staff work together & have regular contact. The WRA Lead Teacher & Senior Mentor, will assume responsibility for a specific group of trainees & act as the link between the partner schools & WRA. They establish regular contact with subject mentors & trainees to monitor progress but are always available to provide support & advice to the trainees as & when required.

What have our trainees thought of school placements

"I thoroughly enjoyed my placement and have been made to feel welcome by everyone at the school and the department. I have had a phenomenal mentor who has pushed and supported me in the right areas to ensure I got the most out of my placement and the training experience. It is a great feeling that at the end of the placement I feel like I have also made friendships with the people within the department as well as professional relationship. Having another trainee in the department really allowed us to support each other and bounce ideas off each other including picking each other up during the low points and celebrating the high points!"

"I have loved every second (remote and in person) of my placement. From day one I was included in all my online lessons, given chance to work with my hosts teachers, and from the start given my classes to teach and make my own. I cannot thank the department staff, and of course my amazing mentor enough for the endless support and extremely valuable feedback they have given me. They have pushed me to form my own teaching styles and helped me to develop in everything I do. The entire department is so friendly, and there's a really lovely community feel with opportunities to work in other departments, which has been lovely."

"Absolutely loved my time on placement and felt very supported by the department. All the staff in the department have helped and given me advice, and made me feel like part of the team. I had a fantastic mentor - so supportive and has spent so much time and effort helping me. IT has been such a lovely department to be part of and I don't want to leave!"