The most important quality that all student teachers on our course possess is a genuine interest in music and the ability to share their passion and expertise with young people. Many graduates who consider teaching music hold a 2:1 degree or higher in Music.  Other routes into teaching music include degrees in Music Technology, Sound Production and Sound Manipulation. Many trainees may have attended Music Conservatoires and may have graduated with degrees in performance and instrumental studies. Those with Grade 8 qualifications in one or more instruments who are also able to demonstrate a strong understanding of music theory, classical and popular music traditions will also be considered. The ability to accompany young learners at the piano is essential and intermediate keyboard skills expected to be developed if you do not already possess these skills.  Some knowledge of the guitar, or the ability to accompany as a guitarist is also useful within the classroom.

Experience working with young people is always particularly beneficial, particularly experience in a UK comprehensive school observing and participating in a range of lessons, including your own subject. Being able to reflect upon recent classroom observations often strengthens interview discussions. If you have been out of the classroom for a few years, having one or two days’ of school observation prior to interviews might help boost your confidence.

As a Music SCITT trainee the subject specific sessions will focus not only issues related to teaching music in the classroom, planning lessons but also planning schemes of work over a period of weeks as well as constructing a complete curriculum for both KS3 and KS4. The use of data drives children’s education and during the Tuesday subject specific lessons the trainees will look at how the data held on the children is used create a curriculum that is relevant to the children in the lesson and promotes the children’s progress.

You will be given opportunity to work with the other trainees to examine techniques that will be useful in the classroom. These will include:

• ensemble work
• creative composition
• arranging music
• rehearsal and conducting techniques

All trainees will have reached this point in their training by a variety of paths. Some will have experienced a classical route whereas others may have had a much more practical hands-on approach to learning their craft. As part of the Music SCITT course you will have every opportunity to share your varied experiences and in the subject sessions you will be able to address any areas that you perceive to be needing assistance.

The course will also explore the following issues from a subject-specific perspective:

• Promoting good behaviour and a positive climate for learning
• Teaching and learning strategies and resources
• Techniques to support monitoring, assessing, recording and reporting pupil progress