The Mid Somerset Consortium
Digital LeafletTraining to Teach with MSC
MSC is a well-established partnership of schools working closely together to provide excellent teacher training in Somerset and the surrounding counties. We offer several routes to Qualified Teacher Status (QTS) with the option of taking a Post Graduate Certificate in Education (PGCE) with 60 M level credits.
Why Train with the Mid Somerset Consortium?
The Mid Somerset Consortium has a reputation for excellence in teacher training. We pride ourselves on our superb working relationships with our schools and our ability to meet the needs of our trainee teachers. In January 2013 the MSC‘s provision was graded as ‘outstanding’ by Ofsted. We are never complacent and strive to act on trainees’ and schools’ feedback to strengthen our provision.
Unlike many other courses we draw on the considerable expertise of the colleagues within these schools who deliver professional and subject training.
The MSC prides itself on knowing all of its trainees personally. We endeavour to support our trainees and schools to ensure that teaching placements are successful and this is evident in the high numbers of ‘outstanding’ and ‘good’ trainees that we produce each year. The employment rate for our trainees is consistently high.
Training Routes
The MSC offers a range of training routes to suit the different needs of schools and trainees. All training routes result in successful trainees being awarded QTS and optional PGCE with 60 Masters’ credits (accredited by Bath Spa University). We offer a wide range of subjects at the secondary phase.
The Mid Somerset Consortium works within a partnership of schools. Any school within that partnership can opt to have School Direct trainees. We register for SD places with the DfE on behalf of the lead school and its partnership schools. Candidates are matched with schools in the partnership to maximise the success of placements.
Available in state funded and independent schools
School Direct trainees will pay fees. They will be ‘students’ rather than employees of MSC schools. Some trainees in shortage subjects are eligible for a bursary this can be up to £24,000 in a shortage subject.
This is an employment-based programme where applicants need to have at least three years’ work experience.
Trainees on this programme will be employees of their training school, from 1st September to 30th June (10 months) and will be paid at no less than point one of the unqualified teacher pay scale although Academies are free to determine their own salaries. In most cases, MSC School Direct (Salaried) trainees will be supernumerary.
We are currently only offering this in Maths and English but we are more than happy to discuss additional subjects with candidates or schools.
In addition to school direct the MSC also offers more traditional SCITT places, these are available in state funded and independent schools. Trainees will pay the tuition fees. Some trainees in shortage subjects are eligible for a bursary this can be up to £26, 000 in a shortage subject.
state funded and Independent schools may have unqualified staff that are already working as teachers in their schools. Schools will have identified these teachers as those who would benefit from professional training to achieve QTS. The school employs a graduate as an unqualified teacher, pays the salary and funds the training fees. The MSC carries out the training, giving full support to both the school and the trainee. The expectation is that the candidate has had some prior school experience and that the school has already interviewed and appointed the graduate.
Past trainees have commented
“All the staff at the MSC are brilliant. They are always on hand to help out if there are any problems or if I am unsure of anything. They are friendly, extremely knowledgeable ad helpful. Resources provided are top quality and I feel like they will support me in every way possible to succeed!”
“Simply outstanding in all areas. The team of staff behind the MSC are fabulously helpful, considerate, professional and informed. I couldn’t rate the programme highly enough.”
Past trainees’ comments about school mentors
“Support from my mentor has been brilliant! Even when her own work load has been a lot, she has still managed to b very supportive and helpful. Feedback is honest and very constructive which I feel is the best way to I am going to improve.”
“I have regular contact with my mentor and she is always more than willing to listen to me queries and offer advice or feedback. Feedback from lesson observations is very thorough and useful.”
“I could not have asked for a better mentor, he has been so supportive and is always offering me support with lesson planning and the feedback received from lesson observations is constructive and relevant.”
Past trainees’ comments about MSC
“ I have found the resources, support and training provided by the MSC to be well organised and of a very high standard.”
“I have enjoyed the training days…some of them have been very inspiring…”
“I have found the MSC really efficient, they always respond to any queries quickly and are always there to offer advice and support when needed. Overall, I am really enjoying the experience.”