THE University of Bolton will be training the next generation of secondary school teachers in a bid to address the national shortage .

The university has received accreditation from the Department for Education to deliver secondary teacher training.

From September 2020, a programme of Initial Teacher Training with Qualified Teacher Status (QTS) will be offered specifically for teachers of maths and computing.

Those selected to enrol on the 10-month programme may also be eligible to apply for a £26,000 bursary while they study.

Jo Hornby, Senior Lecturer in Education and Programme Leader for Secondary Initial Teacher Training will lead the new Secondary Initial Teacher Training programmes.

She said: “We are delighted to have been successful in our bid and we cannot wait to get started.

“This is a great success for the University of Bolton and the town as a whole.

“There is a huge shortage across the UK of teachers who can deliver maths and/or computing subjects to 11-16-year-olds and that is one of the reasons why there is such a great need for these programmes.

“In teaching, there has been a ‘perfect storm’ in terms of a fall in the national recruitment of maths and computing teachers and a rising roll of students.”

Jo added: “Recruitment is down because there is a general consensus that teaching as a profession is not very well rewarded financially, plus the workload is large and increasing all the time and the job can be very stressful.

“However, if you are passionate about your subject and about helping young people to achieve their potential, then teaching is the most rewarding career you can have, and the government is fully supportive of ensuring teachers get the professional recognition they deserve. “You are in a position where you can transform lives, you can help young people to realise their career aspirations and make them feel valued and safe.

“As a teacher, you truly are giving back to the community.”

‘Teach Lead Bolton’ is the local schools consortium that will support the school-based experience components of the programme under the auspices of the University of Bolton.

A number of schools and academies in Bolton have joined, including Westhoughton High, King’s Leadership Academy, Great Lever, Rivington and Blackrod High School and the University Technical College (UTC).

Trainee teachers on the intensive programme will study for a Masters level PGCE (Postgraduate Certificate in Education) ­— and will also undergo a minimum of 120 days of work experience at two different local schools.

Jo said: “This will be a very intense few months of learning and it is one of the hardest programmes to complete, but spending time shadowing teachers in the classroom and being immersed in that school environment will be a huge benefit.

“The university will co-ordinate the school placements in order to best support each individual trainee.”

The government has launched a national, high-profile ‘Get Into Teaching’ campaign in an attempt to boost the recruitment figures.

Jo said: “There are many different routes into the teaching profession and it can be very confusing.

“This programme is a real asset to both the university and the town of Bolton because it enables teachers of shortage subjects to be home-grown and, once they have qualified, to move into Bolton schools, benefiting the local economy and community.

“It means that you do not have to travel out of Bolton to other towns and cities to achieve a QTS qualification.

“This is obviously a real advantage for people with busy lives or who are unable or would prefer not to travel for whatever reason. It will also help to retain home-grown teaching talent in Bolton years to come.”

Primary sector teacher training with QTS will start in September 2022.

There will be Get Into Teaching Open Day at the University of Bolton on Saturday February 8, between 10am-2pm.

Course leaders will be on hand to offer expert advice. To find out more or book a place at the open day, email: J.Hornby2@bolton.ac.uk , or ITTQTS@Bolton.ac.uk