Newly qualified teachers

The Westminster NQT Pool 2012 is now open............

NQTs in Westminster - the fast track to a successful career

Westminster values it's teaching and support staff and is committed to providing a high quality education service for all young people in its schools.

More and more teachers are staying with Westminster. Why? We offer a great range of benefits that can't be beaten:

• high quality induction and training in your first year and beyond
• professional development opportunities to advance your career
• staff card with great discounts to make the most of all the leisure and cultural attractions that being in the heart of London has to offer
• high achieving schools with pupils of all abilities and backgrounds

The City of Westminster is an area of contrasts that has thriving communities, a rich historic heritage and unrivalled facilities. Located in the heart of London, we are home to the nation's government, tourism, arts and culture. The population we serve comes from diverse backgrounds and contribute's greatly to the diversity that we are so proud of - over 100 languages are spoken at home by our pupils. Westminster is a creative and enterprising Local Authority committed to raising educational achievement.

Where is Westminster?

Westminster is unique.  It is not only home to central government but also world class tourist attractions, the highest number of historic buildings in the country, world-renowned retail destinations and more businesses thatn the City and Canary Wharf combined. In addition to 253,113 residents, 850,000 tourists and commuters visit Westminster everyday.

Camden and Brent border it to the North, the City of London to the East, the River Thames on the South and Kensington and Chelsea to the West. Areas within Westminster include: Kilburn, St. John’s Wood, Maida Vale, Marylebone, Paddington, Soho, Mayfair, Victoria, Pimlico, Belgravia and Knightsbridge.

Transport connections are excellent within Westminster; it has more underground stations than any other authority. It has four main train terminuses, – Paddington, Marylebone, Charing Cross, and Victoria – the busiest station in the country.

Westminster has indoor leisure centres and outdoor sports centres, boasting a full range of leisure activities. Westminster employees are entitled to free swimming and reduced prices for sports activities. Hyde Park and Regent’s Park provide wide-open green spaces to enjoy.

Some of the Country’s biggest tourist attractions, including Buckingham Palace, Madame Tussaud’s, the National Gallery, Westminster Abbey and London Zoo are located in Westminster. Major shopping areas include Knightsbridge, Bayswater, Tottenham Court Road, and Oxford Street. The Houses of Parliament, the West End, Theatreland, the cinemas in Leicester Square and China Town help attract more than one million visitors into the City every day and night.

Whatever you want to do, you will be able to do it in Westminster. Hundreds of shops, pubs, clubs, cafes and restaurants mean that there will be plenty of places for you to enjoy. Plus with all this on your doorstep it can only facilitate the learning in the classroom.

Westminster Schools and their Pupils

In Westminster, there are 4 maintained nursery schools, 40 primary schools, 10 secondary schools and Academies, 2 maintained special schools, and 1 Pupil Referral Unit. 12 of the 40 primary schools are community schools, 19 are Church of England (CE) voluntary aided schools, 7 are Roman Catholic (RC) voluntary aided schools and 2 are Academies. Of the 10 secondary schools, 4 are voluntary aided (VA) and 6 are Academies. VA schools are  denominational schools and have a religious foundation, usually RC or CE.

In January 2011, there were 21,037 pupils attending mainstream Westminster’s schools and Academies. This includes 1,791 students attending Westminster school and academy sixth forms. A further 3,164 students attended further education colleges in Westminster. These include City of Westminster College and the London College of Beauty Therapy. 152 pupils were attending Westminster’s two special schools and 38 pupils were educated in the Pupil Referral Unit ( PRU).

The large majority of primary pupils (81%) live in Westminster but less than half (48%) of secondary pupils are residents and pupils often come from economically disadvantaged backgrounds.  38% of primary pupils are entitled to free school meals compared to 19% nationally and 41% of secondary pupils compared to 15% nationally.

Westminster pupils come from a very diverse mix of national and ethnic backgrounds. 71% of primary pupils and 60% of secondary pupils have a first language other than English. This compares to 16% or primary pupils and 12% of secondary pupils nationally.

There are also high rates of mobility across Westminster schools (pupils arriving and leaving outside of the usual admission time). In 2009/10, the average mobility rate across primary schools was 18%, although there were large variations across individual schools, with some having mobility rates as high as 40%. The average rate across secondary schools was lower at 8.7%. 

Statements of Special Educational Needs (SEN)

In January 2010 Westminster was responsible for meeting the educational needs of 825 children for whom it held a statement of special educational need. Of these children:

• 454 attended maintained mainstream schools, early years settings or academies

• 48 were educated within resourced provision or SEN units within mainstream schools

• 193 attended maintained special schools

• 109 attended non-maintained special schools

• 2 attended hospital schools

• 19 were educated other than in school

Our school results are improving year on year. You'll find our schools are the ideal place to reach your potential. Westminster, with its diverse and vibrant community is a great place to start your teaching career.

The Westminster Primary NQT Pool 2012

Westminster operates a Primary NQT Pool. This pool is open to all UK newly qualified teachers who have yet to complete their statutory period of induction and are looking to find employment as an NQT in September 2012.  Being accepted onto the Westminster NQT Pool does not guarantee employment.

If you are interested in being considered for the Westminster Primary NQT Pool then please read the information below very carefully as it is designed to support you in completing your application.

What We Offer

More and more teachers and support staff are staying within Westminster because of the excellent ongoing support and training we offer. We recognise that the development of the whole school workforce is essential and has a significant influence upon the success of our pupils and schools. Teaching in Westminster means you will join a committed and successful team of teachers and support staff who enable children and young people to develop their full potential.

In addition to the training and support you will receive from your school, we provide a central high quality induction programme for NQTs and support your progress throughout your first year, during early professional development (EPD) and beyond. We provide training, monitoring and guidance to ensure that your induction is effective, fair and empowering. Our schools identify an induction mentor who will have responsibility for overseeing your school based professional and pastoral support and we have an NQT Consultant to quality assure your induction. Our CPD programme is cohort driven, responding to the needs of Westminster. It is extensive to enable all staff to further develop their teaching skills and to support schools in retaining high quality teachers and support staff.

Who We Are Looking For

If you are a high calibre and enthusiastic NQT, committed to improving the life chances of our young people through exciting and focused lessons, then we would like to hear from you. We would like you to form an integral part of our schools' communities where you can develop your career with the aim of becoming a leader of learning providing your pupils with the highest quality educational opportunities. If this sounds like you, then apply to become a teacher in Westminster.  

Benefits:

• Excellent induction support programme, followed by an early professional development programme
• Assigned Induction Mentor and Induction Tutor
• AST support for secondary NQTs
• School to school visits to observe and learn from experienced teachers 
• CPD programmes that offer the chance to progress further in the profession
• Advice on housing
• Interest free season ticket loan
• Staff card
• Salary as at September 2011 - £27,000 for inner London

Secondary NQTs

Westminster does not operate a pool system or database for Secondary NQTs. Secondary schools in Westminster prefer to manage their own recruitment process and advertise independently in the Times Educational (TES) and on the Council’s website at www.westminster.gov.uk/educationandlearning/teaching.  Here you will find the School Vacancy Bulletin which is updated weekly during school term time.

However, the information and guidance provided for the Primary NQT Pool should be of assistance to you in applying to Westminster schools. If you have any questions or would like further advice then please contact Linda Crichton on 020 7641 3364 or by email at lcrichton@westminster.gov.uk

Primary NQTs - the Pool System

Westminster operates a Primary NQT Pool database.  To be considered, please apply using the online application form. A link is attached to take you to the application form. Please read the guidance notes on how to apply below before completing your application.

If your application meets the selection criteria and you are successfully shortlisted then you will be asked to attend an interview. If you are successful at interview then your details will be added to the Westminster Primary NQT Pool database. Acceptance onto the Pool does not guarantee employment. Once suitable vacancies become available then our headteachers will consult the database and if you meet their needs,  they will contact you directly by telephone and/or email to invite you into their school, to see you teach and to have an informal interview with you. 

References will only be requested if you are successfully placed on the Primary NQT Pool database and invited into a Westminster school by a Headteacher.

How to Apply for the Primary NQT Pool

The guidance notes are designed to assist you in completing your application to be considered for the Westminster Primary NQT Pool. We recommend that you read them before you start work on your application. The online application form can be saved without submission so that you can return to it at a later stage, so please take your time in completing it. 

Guidance Notes for Completing the Application

Read the application carefully - The application is the same one that is used for teachers applying for an actual teaching position in a Westminster school.  You must complete all the sections marked with an asterix. You will be automatically alerted should you fail to complete any section.

General Information  -   As a trainee teacher you may not have had previous teaching experience and so you should include your teacher placement(s) in addition to any other employment or voluntary work you have done, in the employment section. This provides us with more information about you and the skills you may have that compliment teaching.

Research Westminster - What is unique about the borough? What are the challenges and opportunities for a teacher in Westminster? How might this impact on your teaching? How will this impact on the young people you teach? How can you use this information to enhance your application? 

Personal Details - Please complete all relevant sections and provide an up to date email address and telephone number where you can be contacted. Both are required to ensure that we are able to contact you. Should these details change then please inform us. 

References - It is usually appropriate to obtain references from your tutor at your teacher training college and from the headteacher or senior leader at one of your teaching placements. Headteachers will take up references before they invite you into school if at all possible, so it is a good idea to forewarn your referees so they they are ready to respond quickly to any request. 

Employment Details -  Please record all previous employment. You should include details of your teacher placement and consider relevant voluntary and community work that demonstrates skills and abilities which you feel are appropriate.

Education, Qualifications and Membership of Professional Associations -  Please list all training and qualifications which are relevant to this post - school, college and university. For example, you must have gained or be expecting to gain a pass in PGCE or BA with QTS or BEd  degree. GCSE Grade C or above in Maths, English Language and Science are essential. Also please include your DfE/TRN number.  You will have been issued this by the GTCE.

Relevant skills and competencies - Section 6 on the application form. There is no job description provided but you must read the NQT selection criteria/person specification to enable you to complete this section.  This is your opportunity to show how you meet the criteria. You should give examples of lessons, pupils, activities and events that demonstrate you have the relevant skills and attributes listed. Where possible include evidence from your teaching placement.

Be reflective and analytical and ensure you address the selection criteria as this is key to the selection process. You may want to mention any particular knowledge, skills or experience (languages, SEN, music, sports etc.)  that you wish to inform us about and that you think may make you an excellent candidate. 

This section is an indication of your written communication skills and so spelling, punctuation and grammar are all important.

NQT Selection Criteria/Person Specification

Please pay close attention to the requirements of the selection criteria as you will need to demonstrate how well you meet them in your application form at Section 6: Relevant Skills and Competencies. In demonstrating that you are competent, you should include examples of relevant experience gained from your teaching practice and previous work for each of the selection criteria. You may like to use the section headings when addressing specific selection criteria. 

The information you supply is an essential part of the application form and it is your chance to demonstrate what you consider to be the key elements of a good teacher and how you could use these to meet the needs of pupils in Westminster. It is key to the shortlisting process and is the section where you can 'make it stand out from the rest'.

Qualifications and Experience

• To have gained QTS or be expected to gain a pass in PGCE, BA with QTS or BEd degree.
• Teaching practice/expereince with Early Years Foundation Stage and/or Primary or Secondary.
• Sound knowledge of the current theory and practice in education.

Professional Knowledge and Understanding

• Ability to deploy a range of strategies to achieve effective behaviour management in line with school policy.
• Ability to create a rich learning environment for a class taking into account diversity and inclusion, teach engaging and motivating lessons for all pupils.
• Commitment to supporting children in their learning in line with national frameworks and subject requirements which:
- enables monitoring, assessment and recording of pupils' progress; requires learning objectives to be identified for classes, groups and individuals; includes long and short term planning; shows understanding of the role of other professional in maximising pupils' learning.
• Commitment to equality legislation, understanding and tolerance of how pupils' ethnic, cultural, linguistic, religious and social backgrounds may affect their learning, and respect for all pupils' backgrounds.

• Knowledge of the issues relating to the ECM agenda, safeguarding and the promotion of the well being of children and young people.

Professional Skills

• Be able to plan for, progression in lessons building upon pupils' prior knowledge and attainment.

• Ability to work collaboratively with colleagues and external agencies to support pupil learning.

Professional Attitudes

• Ability to develop and maintain positive relationships and work in partnership with parents/carers and colleagues through effective communication skills.
• Ability to deploy support staff and other adults effectively.
• Ability to implement school policies and practices.
• Commitment to own professional development and able to identify future needs.
• Demonstrable written and oral communication skills.
• Proven commitment to further developing own professional knowledge, skills and experience.

Additional Essential Qualities

• Commitment to working in Westminster, carrying out all duties in the context of, and in compliance with the Council's Equal Opportunities, Safeguarding and Child Protection Policies.

Application Form

What Happens Next

Once you have completed your application form and you are satisfied with the content, please ensure you save a copy for yourself before you submit it. Once submitted it cannot be changed.

The deadline for completed applications is Tuesday 14th February 2012 at 5pm. Please ensure that your application arrives in good time. Any applications that arrive after this time will be discounted.

Interviews will be carried out during the weeks of 5th - 9th March 2012 and 12th - 16th March 2012.

If your application meets the selection criteria and you are successfully shortlisted for interview, you will be contacted by email to arrange an interview for the Pool. Please ensure that your email details are correct. If they should change at any time then please contact Linda Crichton.

Unsuccessful applicants will not be contacted. We regret that due to the high numbers of applications received it is not possible to provide individual feedback at any stage of this process.

N.B.  Application forms for all candidates will be confidentially destroyed within 6 months of the end of the interview process. 

If you have any queries regarding the Westminster Primary NQT Pool or for more information about teaching in Westminster, please contact Linda Crichton, Teacher Recruitment and Retention Officer on  020 7641 3364 or email at lcrichton@westminster.gov.uk