Each phase of training has a formal review of student teacher progress, which is captured in Phase Review forms. This is an opportunity to celebrate the strengths and detail the areas for development drawing upon all the evidence accrued during the placement experience to date.
The most effective reviews take place with the General (ITT) Mentor consulting and negotiating the judgements of progress, in relation to the ITE Curriculum, with the student teacher based on the evidence the student teacher provides.
The Professional Mentor's role is to ensure that the judgements regarding progress for each student teacher, is internally moderated and that all student teachers within that establishment are treated equitably and the evaluation of progress is secure.
What is the purpose of each Phase Review Form?
All Phase Review Forms ask General (ITT) Mentors to indicate whether the student teacher is making expected progress against the LJMU's ITE Curriculum for the appropriate phase of training, and whether they should continue into the subsequent phase. Strengths are identified, and developmental targets set. At the end of the programme, in the Phase 3 Final Review Form the General (ITT) Mentor is required to indicate if the student teacher has fully achieved the ITE Curriculum. If the General (ITT) Mentor indicates as part of the Phase 3 review that their student teacher has fully achieved the ITE Curriculum, and therefore the Teachers' Standards, then the ITE Provider will consider the recommendation for QTS.
Evidence for the Teachers' Standards arises from professional practice by fully achieving the ITE Curriculum.
What is the Final Phase 3 Review Meeting and how should it be conducted?
The Final Phase 3 review meeting or Triangulation takes place with the Lead Mentor (Liaison Tutor) providing support for the General (ITT) Mentor and the student teacher in moderating the final judgement for the student teacher achieving LJMU’s ITE Curriculum and thus being recommended for QTS at the end of the programme.
This meeting normally takes an hour and validates the recommendation for QTS through the student teacher achieving all aspects of the ITE Curriculum. A combination of scrutiny of the evidence provided by the student teacher, the student teacher's articulation of their progress in response to the questions asked and affirmation of the outcome by the General (ITT) Mentor.
What needs to be assessed?
A holistic judgement needs to be made regarding the progress the student teacher has made with LJMU’s ITE Curriculum. If the student teacher has achieved the ITE Curriculum then the student teacher has successfully passed their school experience and can be recommended for QTS. If further evidence is required for a particular aspect of the school experience, a recommendation that they have fully met the ITE Curriculum cannot be made until the student teacher has provided this and the General (ITT) Mentor and Lead Mentor (Liaison Tutor) agree to the recommendation.
When reviewing Subject Knowledge for SECONDARY student teachers, only the main subject area should be considered, so for instance science student teachers' Subject Knowledge should be evaluated taking only into account the science specialism for which they have applied.
When reviewing Subject Knowledge for PRIMARY student teachers previous placement experience(s) should be taken into account and evidence from previous placements considered. This may be particularly important when considering Phonics.
General (ITT) Mentors will be able to draw on a range of information to assess whether their student teacher has met the necessary ITE Curriculum requirements. The Phase 3 ITE Curriculum has been designed to incorporate the Teachers’ Standards and thus if a student teacher has met the requirements of the ITE Curriculum, they would ordinarily be recommended for QTS by the end of their programme.
General (ITT) Mentors should use the Phase 3 mentor guides to identify the focus areas of the ITE Curriculum. Evidence of student teacher progress can be found via:
- Lesson Analysis Forms;
- Phase Review Forms;
- QTS Training and Development File;
- Weekly Meeting Documentation;
- Triangulation.
Lead Mentors (Liaison Tutors) will help guide judgements about progress, when required.