Teaching students on 'pandemic placements' win over 40 awards

• Friday, March 19, 2021

Roehampton trainees take the challenges of lockdown in their stride and earn glowing praise from host schools

One could be forgiven for thinking that 2020-21 is not an ideal year to embark on a teacher training degree, what with school closures and countless coronavirus restrictions. But Roehampton's Y1 BA Primary Education students have good reason to disagree. During lockdown most primary schools remained open for vulnerable pupils and the children of key workers, and most of our first year undergrads went ahead with their planned school placements, gaining terrific experience despite the unusual circumstances. 

For most students, the placement was a blend of face-to-face teaching in school and online from home, and around 40 were rewarded with a special commendation certificate from their host schools. Programme convenor Anthony Barlow commented: "The dedication of their Class Teacher Mentors, and Roehampton Mentors, is testament to the way the Roehampton Partnership is flexible and resilient and shows all involved going above and beyond to ensure that 'pandemic placements' can still result in high quality entrants to the profession. Without doubt, they have all risen to the challenge and should be highly commended and thanked."

Here are some typical comments made by the teacher-mentors overseeing our students' placements:

"Nadia is a natural teacher. She has led her experience from the outset - making sure I had all the right papers signed, telling me what she needed to do, and providing plans for the whole week in advance."

"Annabel has stayed positive, consistent and resourceful. Children who would often walk out of the classroom in 'normal' times are choosing to stay and learn because Annabel is actively engaging them in learning that has been adapted to meet their individual needs."

"Aideen created online lessons which she uploaded to Youtube and which were inspirational. There was an art lesson and one on musical terms which were excellent. Aideen never wavered in her keenness to take on extra tasks. She really took on the 'no challenge is too big' notion and made it look simple. It increased her resilience."

"Lily has been so enthusiastic and has put on all the silly voices, used all the props and more to engage the children without even being asked to!"