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Case study: Using multiple placements to benefit pupils, students and schools

Paul Wilson

Job title: Senior lecturer

ITT provider: University College Plymouth St Mark and St John

Publication Date:

About this case study

When you watch someone who’s new to teaching, you can really see the nuts and bolts. Senior lecturer Paul Wilson, of University College Plymouth St Mark and St John, believes multiple placements are benefiting pupils, students and schools.

Paul says:

"We use our regular mentor training sessions to manage and prepare for our multiple placements. It’s also a good opportunity to review how placements are working. It’s clear from the feedback that they are working well for students and schools – and pupils."

"I think students really benefit from working in collaboration with other students. With an established teacher, you’re seeing the result of years of experience. When you watch someone who’s new to teaching, you can really see the nuts and bolts. For schools, it takes some of the pressure off. If students can support each other day to day, it enables mentors to focus on those areas where their experience is most helpful. For pupils, having an extra person in the classroom means more individual attention, more ideas and more stimulation."

"We’re keen to share our experiences with other providers. Recently, a colleague came from Portsmouth to visit three of our schools and sit in on a lesson being taught by paired trainees, and we also work with the University of Southampton to evaluate various different approaches to placements. The next step for us is to roll out our paired placement model across further secondary subjects and to primary schools as well."