12 November 2014
ESC has launched a new training programme to help Jersey graduates retrain as secondary school maths teachers on-island.
Four places are initially available and will be open to islanders who already have a degree. This could be in mathematics or another subject provided they have worked or studied in an area that requires them to be highly numerate.
The trainee teachers will first take a specialist ‘maths knowledge enhancement’ course for eight to 16 weeks by distance learning before joining the Jersey Graduate Teacher Programme in September 2015. They will complete their teacher training over the academic year while working in one of the Island’s secondary schools alongside experienced colleagues.
ESC’s Head of Lifelong Learning and Skills, Andy Gibbs, said “We think there could be a pool of highly skilled candidates in Jersey’s finance and business sectors who have experience and maturity that would be an immense benefit in the classroom. We hope this new course provides an attractive way of moving into a new, rewarding career without leaving the Island.
“Good maths teachers are always in great demand and there is a shortage of candidates nationally so it makes sense to ‘grow our own’. We are not just looking for maths graduates. This could appeal to a very wide range of people who have been using their numeracy skills in other occupations. As well as engineering, construction, planning, statistics, we would welcome inquiries from graduates in any areas who might be interested in making this important move.”
ESC Minister, Deputy Rod Bryans said “This teacher training programme for local people had been a great success since it began in 2005. We’ve trained 56 new teachers over that time in a wide range of subjects and they are working in a range of States and private secondary schools.
“I am sure this scheme, with its specific focus on maths teaching, will appeal to some of the many professionals working in other sectors at the moment and I hope they grab the opportunity. Good numeracy skills are vital for all our young people and what better way to spend your working life than helping students acquire them.”
Closing date for applications: 28 November 2014.
gov.je