Palmerston Inclusive Pathway
Palmerston Inclusive Pathway (PIP) offers an established, progressive route into teaching in Special schools.
We deliver training on a number of areas of Special Educational Needs and Disability, and have a warm, dynamic ethos, enabled by our small cohort and collaborative approach. SEND training is delivered by highly qualified, experienced teachers and subject specific experts.
Student feedback noted that they “feel very proud and privileged (been) being supported and mentored by high-quality and experienced practitioners within the field of SEN” (former student).
Training takes place alongside our partner Liverpool John Moores University that delivers the Core PGCE training. We have a long-established partnership with Liverpool John Moores University, as well as a broad alliance of Special and Mainstream schools across Merseyside and Cheshire. This enables us to take a thorough, nuanced approach to matching trainees to schools. We are a supportive, dynamic course, building a community of empathetic, knowledgeable teachers, qualified to work effectively in both SEND and mainstream schools.
We work closely with student teachers to meet their needs and build a collaborative community. We take time to understand students' individual needs throughout their Initial Teacher Training and beyond, using feedback. Our ethos centres on inclusion, wellbeing and high quality teaching. Palmerston Inclusive Pathway trainees undertake placements in three schools, including two different types of SEND settings and a Primary mainstream school. Our range of school experience and level of training undertaken consistently makes for excellent rates of employment. A former student noted "I gained employment at a SEN school very quickly and was supported 100% of the way by Palmerston. They provided lots of useful tips and advice such as mock interviews, 1-1 application form support and advice, which was very helpful when looking for vacancies" (former student). Students enjoy a diverse timetable with 20 SEND focused sessions taking place at Palmerston College, Beaconsfield site, Liverpool. Core training takes place in LJMU Education Buildings in Liverpool city centre. Students find the range of input engaging and relevant to their learning, whilst on placement.
How placements work
Students will undertake placements within a diverse range of schools. All of the schools in our alliance are based in Merseyside and Cheshire. Each student has a Special school as a Home school, wherein they spend most of there placement experience. This is a Primary, Secondary or All Through (4-19) Special school. During the Autumn two half term, students undertake a placement in an alternative special school, in order to broaden and enhance their experience. Spring two half term is spent in a Mainstream primary school, consolidating some of the core training and ensuring students are prepared to teach in both Special and Mainstream schools. Students have two school based mentors during each placement as well as a Liaison tutor from JMU. Students have the same Liaison tutor throughout the course. We match students to schools on a number of criteria, including preference, experience, geographical distance and transport requirements however, please note that as the Special school population is lower, schools are spaced further apart.
Applying:
Applications can be made at:
Course code: 2T53
Potential candidates are welcome to arrange a visit the school and/or connect with our Sophie Caines (Strategic Lead) or our Alumumni. We can be contacted at:
s.caines@palmerston.liverpool,sch.uk
