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Being a Teacher in Scotland

Probationer and Mentor Updates

August 2024

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Probationer Website

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Professional Learning�

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Practitioner Enquiry

  • Schedule of Practitioner Enquiry Inputs
    • Two online twilights (must attend both) – 9th October, 11th March
    • In-person collaborative sharing afternoon (must attend one) – 25th and 26th March

  • Practitioner enquiry can be a process of investigation about aspects of practice, with a rationale and approach that can be explained or defended. The practitioner can then share their findings so they become more than reflection or personal enquiry.
  • In collaborative enquiry, the group shares a common research focus which they can investigate through different lenses to enhance knowledge for sharing within and beyond the group.
  • Format and Focus for Practitioner Enquiry is open and entirely flexible.

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GTCS Requirements

  • Full TIS Profile requirements for the year – Access here
  • Plan out your mentor meetings and observations using this template
    • Observations should follow a 3-weekly cycle:
      • Week 1 – Plan focus, Week 2 – Observe, Week 3 – Provide Feedback
  • You may wish to keep a written record of mentor meetings
    • Template is here
    • Probationers (not mentors) should write and add agenda to their GTCS Profile
    • Mentors may wish to keep their own record if required
  • Observations should be planned and given feedback using this format
  • Observation should be carried out by a variety of colleagues – HT, DHT, Teacher Regent, Mentor
  • A Lesson Plan should be provided for every formal observation – You may use your own format, or the one linked here

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Continued….

  • Good examples of IPDAP/PDAP – Access here
  • Personal details, Timetable, and IPDAP should be signed-off by mentors by the end of week 2 (30th August).

  • Please check Timetable meets the GTCS requirements:
    • No more than 0.8FTE teaching contact – this will show as 80% on the timetable section
    • A minimum of 0.55 FTE in registration subject (12.5 hours)
    • Secondary – A requirement for certificated classes (SQA Awards, Nationals, or Highers)

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Support for Mentors�Important for Probationers too

  • Mentor Support - https://sites.google.com/ab-ed.org/probationers-acc/mentor-support
  • Early Progress Report – First check-point
    • Due Wednesday 2nd October (2 observations to be completed by this date)
    • Form to complete here
    • Focus on GTCS Standards – Be Kind, Specific and Helpful
  • Observation Feedback – Example

  • What reports do I need to complete?
    • Key Strengths and Areas for Development report on GTCS profile
      • May wish to use this template and then copy and paste into profile
    • Interim 1 Profile (18/12), and Final Profile (28/05) (+Interim 2 if your probationer is CFC)

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Continued….

  • What happens if things don’t go so well?
    • Early Progress Report – Requires Additional Support
    • Interim 1 Profile – Cause for Concern, Unsatisfactory
    • Interim 2 Profile (January to March) – Cause for Concern, Unsatisfactory
    • Final Profile – Recommendation for Extension, Recommendation for Cancellation

  • What is a Case Overview?
    • Required if recommending Extension or Cancellation
    • Individual reports required by each teacher working with the probationer
    • One Case Overview report compiling additional evidence

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Looking Ahead

Health and Wellbeing:

Being a Teacher in Scotland: