Teaching Staff
It is our belief that all teachers are life-long learners. We therefore offer unparalleled opportunities for staff development. All staff have access to excellent quality training, e.g. our literacy programme supports staff with the teaching of academic vocabulary and extended writing to ensure staff become fluent and proficient writers and are prepared for the higher demands of the new GCSEs and A Levels.
Staff have access to both in-house and external training which they value highly. In the past we have invited eminent leaders in education to work with our staff including: Claire Gadsby, Sir Kevan Collins, Andy Buck and Ross McGill (Teacher Toolkit).
Support Staff
We believe that the whole school community benefits from professional development. Thus, all support staff have targeted, personalised training that meets their relevant needs. This is presented by specialist facilitators who deliver training on topics including: Effective Classroom Support, Swanlea Values Training, Behaviour Management Strategies and Leading Successful Teams. It is an expectation that all support staff will participate in this CPD.
ECTs
At Swanlea, Earlier Career Teacher are offered a high quality and supportive experience. ECTs have access to experienced and expert mentors who will support and guide them through their first year of teaching.
We have an excellent programme of professional training which runs throughout the year and gives ECTs the opportunity to develop and hone their skills, allowing them to become excellent, reflective teachers and learn from the expert professionals we have in our school. Our ECTs also benefit from participation in the Tower Hamlets City Excellence Cluster Programme. This runs across several schools, allowing them to network with fellow professionals in developing their practice.
There is also access to support and advice from the dedicated ECT Coordinator plus training and support from Tower Hamlets as the assessing appropriate body.
Many of our ECTs not only stay on with us but have successfully progressed onto leadership roles in the school.
The programme is led by ECT Coordinator, Monica Compton (Senior Leader).
BTs
Initial Teacher Training though the PGCE and School Direct Routes
We offer an outstanding teacher training programme at Swanlea; as a teaching school, we offer student teachers a positive and rewarding experience. The feedback we receive from our trainee teachers is overwhelmingly positive. We offer a full range of subjects and our experienced staff support all of our beginner teachers through their programmes by providing excellent mentoring, professional training, demonstrating good practice and offering consistent, fair and positive feedback.
Swanlea has excellent working relationships with higher education providers, such as the UCL Institute of Education, King’s College, Goldsmiths and University of East London.
As well as welcoming trainee teachers through the traditional PGCE route, we also provide school-based training through School Direct, both salaried and non-salaried, which is offered through the City Excellence Partnership.
The programme is led by Monica Compton (Senior Leader).