Course helps new teachers learn the 'Guernsey way'

Learning to teach in Guernsey has been "really important", according to recent graduates of a training scheme.

Applications for the latest round of the island's Initial Teacher Training (ITT), run by The Guernsey Institute in partnership with Middlesex University, have opened to allow people to gain a Post Graduate Certificate (PG Cert).

Charlotte Moore, a graduate who teaches reception at La Houguette, said training on the island had helped her learn the "Guernsey way" with placements at local schools.

The Guernsey Institute said people had until 17 April to apply for the next ITT course.

Moore, who grew up in Guernsey, said her training had prepared her for life as a teacher on the island.

"I'm a local girl and being here with my family was really important to me," she said.

"Actually training on island with the Guernsey-specific curriculum was really worthwhile, rather than training and learning the national curriculum which they do in the UK. It was important learning the Guernsey way."

She added the availability of the course could also help teachers remain in Guernsey.

Moore said: "There's obviously a lot of people who go off island to do their training and they maybe stay there.

"There's also people who obviously have to come to the island because there's not enough teachers that are local.

"It is different from teaching in the UK and I think if you are local let's keep you here because it's a beautiful island."

Fellow ITT graduate Jemma Smith, who teaches Year 3 at La Mare de Carteret, said doing the course in Guernsey had helped her balance her studies and life at home.

She said it was an "absolute privilege" to be a teacher and watch local children grow.

Smith added: "The opportunity to complete my PG Cert in teaching whilst on placement in local schools was truly life-changing, allowing me to finally pursue my dream of teaching, whilst being a mum with family commitments."

Janine Donovan, ITT programme lead, said the course had helped future teachers "flourish".

"All the students I've had the pleasure to work with feel very loyal to the island and know the island inside-out and genuinely want to give back to the community," Donovan said.

She said being a teacher could be a tough job but the "rewards far outweigh the challenges".

Donovan said: "The advice is yes, it's hard, but it's worth every second of that challenge because every day you'll have a ta-dah moment."

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