Aspiring teachers have flocked in their hundreds to start their training with the University of Cumbria.
As millions of schoolchildren return to classes this week, around 700 students have arrived on the university’s campuses in Lancaster, Carlisle and London to register on courses to further their own education and development.
The university’s Institute of Education welcomes 230 campus-based students who will spend the academic year working towards completing their Postgraduate Certificate in Education (PGCE), a qualification which allows graduates to become teachers.
A further 375 are also embarking the course through School Direct, a school-based scheme where the PGCE is delivered in partnership with primary and secondary schools.
The University of Cumbria is proudly working with schools across the north west in 23 School Direct alliances including networks in Carlisle, Barrow and the South Lakes as well as Preston, Blackburn, Bolton, Manchester, Wigan and Warrington.
The University of Cumbria has helped train more than 2,000 new teachers through the School Direct route since the government introduced the scheme seven years ago.
Jan Ashbridge, principal lecturer at the university’s Institute of Education, said: “It is fantastic to welcome so many new teaching students. Regardless of what programme or scheme they are on they all must formally register on their course with us and we enjoy showing them how to use our extensive library and other on-campus facilities.
“There is such a buzz because the months of planning and waiting have begun. All these students are now going to be doing parts of their training in classrooms across Cumbria, Lancashire, London and beyond helping to inspire children of all ages whilst becoming highly skilled professionals. We look forward to accompanying and supporting them on their journeys.”
Supporting the building blocks of education, every University of Cumbria primary school trainee teacher completes a module entitled Cumbria Teacher of Reading. It gives them a clear understanding of systematic synthetic phonics, teaching children how to read, the most important skill they need to learn.
