KINGSTON UNIVERSITY

SECONDARY PGCE

INITIAL SCHOOL OBSERVATION PROCEDURE

Before starting the secondary PGCE (11-16) it is important to have spent some time observing lessons in a UK secondary school and/or primary school. We understand that it may be difficult to arrange observations in the week beginning Monday5 September in which case you should arrange and complete the observations before the end of the summer term.

These observations will inform your understanding of education and support your development on the course. You should organise this time in schools yourself.

This booklet contains:

-Tasks to be completed

-Letters of introduction to head teachers

-Report forms to be signed by school staff and brought in to the University on your first day (Monday 12th September 2016)

CONTENTS

Introductionpage 2

  1. The Aims of School Observationpage 2.1
  1. How to Organise Your School Observationpage 2.2
  1. Observation Taskspage 3
  1. Specific Observation Taskspage 4
  1. A Summary of Reflections

– to be completed by traineepage 7 - 10

  1. Official Record Forms

-to be completed by traineepage11 &12

  1. Letter to Headteacherspage13

Introduction

Trainees following the PGCE programme at Kingston University spend about two-thirds of their time in schools and the rest of the time at University.

Before you start the university taught part of the PGCE you should spend some time in school observing lessons. It is your responsibility to arrange this in a school which is convenient for you. You may need to be persistent in contacting schools and may need to contact several schools before you find one that is able to offer you observation experience.

You should start to arrange the observation period as soon as you can so you can undertake this in week commencing Monday 5th September or before the end of the summer term if it is easier. Ideally this should be in secondary and primary schools. If you have recent experience of observations in secondary schools then you should focus on completing observations in a primary school, ideally focusing on Year 6 classes.

  1. The Aims of School Observation

The aims of this period of School Observation are:

  • that you should arrive at University with a recent experience of schools
  • that you should have begun to develop your understanding of the roles of a school teacher, with particular focus on how children learn
  • that you should have begun the process of adapting to the professional demands of life as a teacher
  1. How to Organise Your School Observation
  • Most secondary schools will have a senior teacher who is responsible for organising trainee placements and occasional visits. When you email a school, attach a brief CV including a contact phone number with your letter of request. When a school has agreed to you doing your observation practice with them take the letter of introduction (page 13) with you on your first day.

At the end of the observation, you should complete section A of the appropriate report form (pages 11 & 12) and you must ensure that the Headteacher or teacher responsible for trainees completes Section B.

  • When you arrive at the school you will need to arrange an observation schedule (showing the lessons, rooms and teachers to be observed) with the Headteacher or the teacher responsible for trainees. Although at this stage you will focus on your main subject, you will need to be flexible and should also aim to spend some time observing other aspects ofthe curriculum e.g. Special Educational Needs.
  • This is a period of observation and you are not expected to prepare and teach lessons, although you may be asked to participate in a class activity. Take this opportunity to sit with children and begin to understand how they learn.
  • When you are in school you must ensure that you behave professionally at all times. Teachers are busy professionals so ensure that you are punctual and dress appropriately.
  • You may have opportunities to talk with pupils, as well as teachers and it is important that you behave professionally in all these conversations. Remember that you are observing lessons etc. to learn from the experience. Please also remember to thank teachers for allowing you to observe in their classroom and do not pass judgment or to comment on what you observe. You will have the opportunity to discuss your experiences once you have started the PGCE rather than with the teacher at the time
  • Remember you are the guest in the classroom. Before you go into a class, check with the teacher that you can take notes, move around the classroom etc. Be sensitive and tactful when carrying out the observation tasks. Always thank the teacher at the end of the lesson.
  • Make notes about your observations while in school ensuring that you remain professional at all times and that all notes are anonymised.
  1. Observation Tasks

There are many variables which affect what happens in a classroom so be clear about your focus in each observed lesson. The tasks below should help to get you started.

You may need to modify these tasks in the light of advice from the school. You may develop systematic approaches to observing and recording of your own or the teacher may well suggest alternatives. The essential point is that you observe in a way that will develop your thinking about teaching and learning in general and within the context of your subject.

When planning your observation remember the following general advice:

  • An important part of your work in classrooms is to learn about children so you should aim to develop your knowledge and understanding of what makes children value and enjoy their education.
  • The interaction between teacher and pupil(s) is a key aspect of teaching and learning and you should focus on what the teachers and the pupils are doing in each activity planned.
  • You may find it helpful to focus on one aspect of the teacher's activity - how they start or end the lesson; how they speak to pupils and the language that they use etc.
  1. Specific Observation Tasks

The following observation tasks should be completed whatever your subject specialism. We realise that some of you may only use this booklet for observation in one school in which case your responses should be adapted accordingly.

Task 1 - Observation Diary (Primary and Secondary)

Each day make brief notes about your observations and experiences. These notes can be used as a basis for group discussion in initial seminars at Kingston University.

You may find it helpful to note some of the following:

i)Teachers:

  • the different ways in which teachers teach
  • the different ways in which teachers meet the needs of students with Special Educational Needs
  • the ability of teachers to create an "authoritative" presence
  • the skills and qualities related to effective teaching.

ii)Pupils:

  • the range of teaching and learning experiences that pupils have in any normal day
  • the contributions that pupils make to lessons
  • the range of tasks that they produce

iii)School Organisation:

  • what different responsibilities do teachers within your subject department have?
  • how does the physical environment affect the learning and the activities of the school?

Task 2 – Learning and Teaching in Primary School

This task is intended for primary schools. If it is possible, arrange to observe some learning and teaching on occasions where the focus is:

  • a literacy session – ideally involving systematic phonics
  • a numeracy session
  • your own subject specialism if appropriate, where possible

Task 3 - Pupil Learning

Makedetailed notes about how and what pupils learn. Again these will be used to inform the sessions in the first weeks of your university programme.

In selected lessons consider the following:

  • Think about how much pupils learnt
  • Describe activities that helped pupils learn
  • Think about activities where pupils did not learn as much as they might have done
  • Did the pupils learn?
  • What have the pupils learnt about the focus/topic?

If you are able to spend time in both primary and secondary schools, consider the differences you observe between the two. How is this significant in terms of pupil learning?

Task 4 - The Subject Department in secondary schools

Your university subject tutors may require you to carry out some subject specific observation tasks and, if this is the case, details of these tasks will be included separately. However, all trainees are expected to record certain basic information about their subject department.

You should note:

  • which exam specifications, schemes of work, programmes of study etc., are used in your own subject area
  • the range of subject specific resources that are used by the teachers (e.g.printed material including textbooks, video/audio material, specialised teaching aids, specialised teaching rooms and equipment)

If possible you should observe:

  • some GCSE lessons
  • some A Level lessons
  • KS3 lessons

Consider how points raised in the previous tasks relate specifically to your own subject area, e.g.:

  • are there certain teaching / learning styles and methods that you consider to be particularly effective in your subject area? Why do you think this?
  • how do pupils respond to your own subject compared to other subjects?
  • What are the differences you have observed in your subject in Years 5/6 (primary) and Year 7 (secondary).

Task 5 - Summary of Observations

After you have completed your observation work you should take some time to reflect on what you have seen. It may help you to focus your ideas if you complete the "Summary of Reflections" (pages 7-10). This summary, together with the notes from the previous tasks can then be used to inform group discussion work in the first few weeks of your University based course.

KINGSTON UNIVERSITY

SECONDARY PGCE

INITIAL SCHOOL OBSERVATIONS

A SUMMARY OF REFLECTIONS

NAME OF TRAINEE:......

NAME OF SCHOOL(S): ......

…......

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At the end of your observation work, use your notes to help you to draw conclusions and to reflect upon your school placement experiences as follows:

1.Describe a teacher’s typical day in your primary school.

2.Describe a teacher’s typical day in your secondary school.

3.List some of the school activities which seemed to work most effectively in either, or both, schools. Give a brief analysis of your reasons for making these judgements.

  1. Write about your observations of working with a small group of pupils. If appropriate you may like to consider some of the following questions:

-were you able to help the pupils learn?

-how did the pupils react to you?

-did you enjoy the experience?

-did a particular pupil stand out and why?

5.Make brief notes about any use made of ICT by the teachers for administration, preparation, teaching, or learning (e.g. interactive whiteboards)

6.What differences in teaching and learning do you notice between primary and secondary school? You can also refer to memories of your own schooling to contrast with this present experience.

KINGSTON UNIVERSITY

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POST GRADUATE CERTIFICATE IN EDUCATION (SECONDARY)

INITIAL SCHOOL OBSERVATION IN SECONDARYSCHOOL

A.TRAINEE TO COMPLETE

Name of Trainee:......

Name of School:......

Address of School:......

......

School Tel. No......

School details:

Mixed/single sex...... Age range......

Number of pupils......

B.SCHOOL TO COMPLETE

The above named trainee undertook classroom observation in this school as follows

No. of days:...... Official School Stamp:

Dates:......

......

Comments:

Signed: ...... Position in School: ......

KINGSTON UNIVERSITY

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POST GRADUATE CERTIFICATE IN EDUCATION (SECONDARY)

INITIAL SCHOOL OBSERVATION IN PRIMARY SCHOOL

A.TRAINEE TO COMPLETE

Name of Trainee:......

Name of School:......

Address of School:......

......

School Tel. No......

School details:

Mixed/single sex...... Age range......

Number of pupils......

B.SCHOOL TO COMPLETE

The above named trainee undertook classroom observation in this school as follows

No. of days:...... Official School Stamp:

Dates:......

......

Comments:

Signed: ...... Position in School: ......

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Kingston University Secondary PGCE

School of Education, Kingston University, Kingston Hill, Kingston upon Thames, Surrey, KT2 7LB

Dear Headteacher,

The trainee presenting this letter has been interviewed and offered a conditional place for teacher training on the PGCE Secondary programme at Kingston University

As an introduction to this programme, trainees are required to organise observation work in a primary school and/or a secondary school. Guidelines for this observation work have been sent to the trainee.

The Kingston Secondary PGCE subject tutors would like to thank you for allowing this trainee to observe in your school and would be most grateful if you or your teacher in charge of trainees would sign the attendance/report form (which has been sent to the trainee).

If you have any particular enquiries relating to specific trainees please contact the Secondary PGCE Course Admissions Administrator at Kingston University (details below).

Yours sincerely,

Rebecca Smith

Course Director for PGCE Secondary

Secondary PGCE Course Admissions Administrator

Anna Philp

School of Education

Kingston University

Kingston Hill

Kingston upon Thames KT2 7LB

Tel: 020-8417 5132Email:

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