• Associate teachers spend the first week of the course observing in a primary school.
• From the second week of the course Associate Teachers are based in one of the partnership schools except for the ten weeks of their main block practice when they will be placed in one of the other schools in the partnership.

Assessment is by a variety of methods:

• A portfolio of evidence built up over the full course
• A standards log to measure your progress against the TTA standards as in Qualifying to Teach
• A number of short written tasks and three longer assignments which aim to develop powers of observation and reflection, the ability to relate published data to your own classroom research and, finally, the ability to experiment with different teaching styles and methodologies.

• As a school centred scheme we are able to ensure that Associate Teachers are involved in the classroom right from the start of the course, observing experienced teachers teach and then gradually developing their confidence and ability to take an increasing responsibility for the planning and delivery of lessons.
• Associate Teachers form close working relationships with their mentors and with other colleagues in the departments in which they are placed.
• The views of the Associate Teachers are valued: they attend regular 'consultative committee' meetings so that concerns and suggestions can be responded to and acted upon.

• A typical week would involve: general professional studies sessions provided by staff from The University of Leicester and further sessions of an even more practical nature provided by teachers in the partnership schools; a regular meeting with your mentor and a subject-specific training session provided by one of the team of subject mentors; and regular time spent in the classroom observing colleagues or being observed yourself at work in the classroom.
• There are two block teaching practices during the course. The shorter one in the second half term which takes place in your host school and a 10 week practice which begins in February and which takes place in one of the other partnership schools. During these teaching practices the pattern of training sessions is suspended but you do continue the pattern of weekly sessions with a mentor throughout the course.

• Subject knowledge
• Teaching methodology
• ICT skills
• General professional studies topics such as how children learn, education in a multi-ethnic society etc.
• What it is to be fully involved in all aspects of the life of the host school.