26 September 2023
A total of 66 new and existing teachers graduated from their training at a graduation ceremony at Highlands
College. The cohort includes teachers who have completed their initial teacher training, and those
who have completed additional qualifications in leadership, and in providing bespoke support to
students.
The graduates include 18 new teachers who have completed the Jersey Graduate Teacher Training Programme (JGGTP) and achieved Jersey Qualified Teacher status. All of these teachers have now
taken up posts in Island schools.
The remaining 47 are teachers and headteachers already working in the Island’s schools and who
have completed additional Masters-level qualifications which are designed in line with best practice
and accredited by English providers.
Five teachers completed the Reading Recovery programme. This programme – which was
expanded following the outbreak of COVID-19 – enables teachers to provide specialist reading
support for students with the lowest attainment. They will join the nine Reading Recovery teachers
already working in schools.
Five people completed the National Professional Qualification for Headship (NPQH), including
existing Headteachers, Assistant Headteachers and Deputy Headteachers. Over the last 18 months,
those completing the NPQH have studied through a mixture of face-to-face teaching and coaching
on-Island, as well as UK school visits.
18 staff completed a National Professional Qualification (NPQ), in a range of specialisms. The NPQ
programmes are designed for teachers who lead a subject, year group, key stage or phase. Staff
studied different programmes depending on their area of work.
Finally, 19 existing Special Educational Needs Coordinators (SENCOs) completed the National
Award for SEN Coordinators (NASENCO). SENCOs identify and coordinate support for children with
special educational needs. The NASENCO Masters-level qualification enables them to develop their
practice.
Minister for Children and Education, Deputy Inna Gardiner said, “A huge congratulations to
everyone who has graduated: each of you have reached this milestone after a lot of hard work and
– in almost all cases – juggling study alongside full-time work.
“If we want a high-quality education system, we must not only attract teachers into the profession,
we must make sure that they have opportunities to develop and grow throughout their career. To
do this, we are committed to funding staff to complete nationally-recognised, high-quality training
here on-Island.
“The time and effort that staff have invested in their own development will have a positive impact
on our students. Each of these members of staff will have the skills they need to provide
outstanding support to our children and young people.
“Whether that means supporting pupils with their reading skills after the disruption of COVID-19;
ensuring that pupils with Special Educational Needs (SEN) have access to the most appropriate
support; or supporting changes in school culture and leadership: when we give our staff
opportunities to develop, we create the conditions for children and young people to succeed.”
Parm Plummer, Assistant Head at Victoria College, who completed the NPQH said, “I would
wholeheartedly recommend the National Professional Qualifications. They are evidence based,
designed to be completed by busy professionals and give you the confidence to take the next
step.”
Caryl Perree, SEN Advisory Teacher and trainer on the NASENCO course, said: “The NASENCO
course is designed to support the continuing professional development of Special Educational
Needs Co-ordinators (SENCOs). They learn about the importance of their role as leaders in their
school, not only as highly-skilled practitioners, but also within their professional context, including
the strategic development of SEN Policy and Procedures.”
Dr Evelyn Taylor-Cox, who completed the JGTTP through the employed route at Haute Vallee, said:
“Changing career to become a teacher was one of the best decisions I have ever made. The JGTTP
gives you a unique opportunity to learn whilst actively teaching in a Jersey school and allows you
to choose the most appropriate training programme for your circumstances.”
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