All EYPS candidates have been given information on their final assessment visits. Assessors have been notified and have been in contact with their candidates to agree dates for the visits.
Our deferred graduate practitioner pathway student has met the EYPS requirement – congratulations go to her. There are three undergraduate practitioner pathway students who are deferred, and who are moving to setting visits in June and are making preparations for this.
University of Chichester candidates
We currently have four pathways in progress at different stages:-
Graduate entry pathway and undergraduate entry pathway
There have been three further scheduled sessions for the GEPs to allow them to reflect on further aspects of early years theory and practice. Session one was on developing your pedagogy where candidates could discuss social pedagogy, critical pedagogy and consider their views on different pedagogical strategies. The second was leading in time of change, the session focusing on team dynamics and reflections on different aspects of leadership. The third is due mid-June and will ask candidates to consider the construction of childhood and where they position themselves.
All UEPs have finished their BA (Hons) and lecturers are in the final stages of marking modules and dissertations. This allows the UEPs some free time to prepare for final assessment. Their tutor has worked together with them to ensure they are aware of the requirements of the visit and have prepared their settings. They have also had sessions on the format of the visit and paperwork requirements.
Undergraduate practitioner pathway
The final teaching session has taken place when candidates learned of the setting visit process and were able to discuss their portfolios in small groups. Candidates are now finalising their portfolios and documents in preparation for their final visit.
Graduate practitioner pathway
The GPP candidates have had their last teaching session on diversity, inclusion and equality. June is the month for the final visits with the window for these has started. The candidates are sending me paperwork for onward transmission to the assessors. They have all prepared for their visit and will use this as an opportunity to celebrate the work they have completed since January.
Recruitment for September 2013
The majority of the recruitment has been finalised with a few trainees due to be interviewed in June. Those who require equivalency tests have been given dates for these tests and are currently using study guides to prepare. The majority of the tests will be for the science GCSE equivalent, with foundation level biology being offered. Some candidates require a maths equivalent and there are a couple who will be sitting English. Test dates are in July and early August in time for the September start date.
Behind the scenes
The assessors have had a chance to meet and feedback on the past assessment processes and consider the new Early Years Teacher Status standards, more training opportunities for them will follow in October. Our prospective trainees’ paperwork is being issued to our admissions department and I am considering aspects of the induction pack for the first sessions in early September.