What kind of placement? : Teaching Outside The Classroom

Teaching Outside the Classroom aims to embed placements in settings other than schools into ITT course structures.

The Museums, Libraries and Archives Council (MLA) have defined a ladder of progression for the development of placements. Experiences with settings can fit into three broad categories on the ladder of progression. The Teaching Outside the Classroom programme is promoting the third model. However we recognise the importance of stages 1 and 2 as precursory activities to any placement.

Progression arrow graphic

Integration within provider course structure
The delivery of lectures, workshops and seminars by setting staff to ITT trainees
The enhancement model
Placements as an addition to course requirements. This type of placement would not be assessed or mentored from within the setting
The embedded/entitlement model
The offer of formalised, quality assured and assessed placements where setting staff have been trained as mentors by partner ITT providers

Teaching Outside the Classroom is promoting the third model in the ladder of progression. Placements in this context can be defined as a formalised and assessed experience being a minimum of one week in a setting other than a school with at least half a day’s direct teaching. See case studies for examples of placements that have already happened.

Next: What will trainees do on placement?

[ top ]

“Due to the success of the project it was decided to embed the placement into the undergraduate programme. This is in order that trainee teachers benefit from the experience and knowledge of professional working with children in settings other than school, putting the needs of the children first when planning learning opportunities”

Senior lecturer, York St John College

“I definitely found that working in a paired placement benefited me. We were able to share ideas … being in the museum for a week gave us the time to think through the ideas we had and see if they were actually practical”

Trainee teacher, London

“I have been able to plan a follow-up session that brings our class back to the museum. I would never have known or even thought to do this if I hadn’t learnt from staff on the placement”

Trainee teacher, York St John College