Probation process
Your induction year should follow a structured process. Each part of this process is a building block in developing your probation profile, which you will use to evidence that you are meeting the Standard for Full Registration.
All information gathered throughout your probation service should be documented in your profile.
August to December
Your first task is to set up supporter meetings. At an early meeting you should draw up an action plan for your professional development and also select an initial focus for your Professional Learning. The action plan is based on your final ITE profile.
We recommend that you have a supporter meeting every week. Meetings should have a focus directly linked to your Initial Professional Development Action Plan (IPDAP).
There should also be regular observed teaching sessions. We recommend that you have a minimum of five sessions during this term.
You will use your probation profile to record your:
- timetable
- Professional Learning experiences
- supporter meetings
- observed teaching sessions
- Professional Development Action Plan (PDAP).
Interim profile completion
All of the information and evidence gathered from August to December will form the basis of your interim profile. Your interim profile will be submitted to us in December. Please contact your local authority probation manager for the exact date.
If your recommendation is "Satisfactory", you will be given access to your final profile. If the recommendation is "Unsatisfactory" or "Cause for Concern", you will be given access to a second interim profile, which should be completed and submitted at Easter. Please contact your local authority probation manager for the exact date. You will then be given access to your final profile.
January to June
You will continue documenting your personal development for the second part of the year using your probation profile.
You will continue to have supporter meetings, observed teaching sessions and take part in various Professional Learning experiences.
Final profile completion
Information and evidence gathered since January will form the basis of your final profile. Your final profile will be submitted to us in May/June. Please contact your local authority probation manager for the exact date.
Supporter meetings
One of the main elements of your professional development is your weekly meeting with your in-school supporter.
Your supporter is one of the key people in induction, providing a link between the school and the local authority probation manager. They offer help in planning your development needs/experiences and in discussing progress.
Supporter meetings should have a pre-arranged focus, directly linked to your professional action plan.
August to December
You should aim to have one meeting each week with your supporter during this period. Your first meeting is important in terms of:
- ensuring you have all the information necessary to enable you to embark on the first few weeks of teaching
- offering advice and support at an early stage
- discussing your timetable and the use of your time
- scheduling weekly meetings
In preparation for the completion of your interim profile, you should meet with your supporter in November for a more formal review meeting. There should be input from a number of sources including any independent observers of your teaching and your headteacher.
January to June
A minimum of 16 weekly meetings with your supporter are recommended for this period.
They should continue to have a focus directly linked to your professional action plan.
Observed teaching sessions
Leading on from your supporter meetings, feedback and evaluation on your teaching practice is achieved through regular observed teaching sessions. We recommend that these take place every three weeks.
These sessions should take place with your supporter. A minimum of five sessions are recommended between August and December and a minimum of four sessions are recommended between January and June. One observation from each of these periods should be with someone other than your supporter.
Information and evidence will be reviewed by your supporter, and recorded in your profile.
Before the observed teaching session (Plan)
Prior to the observation, in collaboration with your supporter, you should identify:
- the focus of the observation, usually arising from your professional development action plan
- an overview of the class, including:
- details about the lesson/element of the SFR being observed
- how the work fits into short/long term plans
- an identification of learning outcomes
- how the session would be expected to unfold
- discussion of possible issues to be prepared for
- whether the observer will take an active part in the class/take notes
During the observed teaching session (Observe)
There are a variety of ways to carry out observations. One way is for your supporter to integrate into the lesson in a team teaching role, working alongside you and experiencing first-hand how you have delivered the lesson.
After the observed teaching session (Feedback)
A post-observation meeting, perhaps during your next weekly supporter meeting, enables you and your supporter a period of reflection. The meeting should include:
- from the observer's perspective, a detailed explanation of how the lesson progressed and met the set objectives, including the opportunity for you to explain what you felt went well and what you may do differently next time
- the identification of development needs arising and/or the recognition that a new area of development should be focused on. Your supporter will be a good source of advice
You must keep a record of session feedback in your profile. Information and evidence from these will form part of your interim profile in December and your final profile in May/June.
CONTACTS
Professional Learning and Development Department
T: +44 (0)131 314 6000
E: pld@gtcs.org.uk