The Student Associates Scheme

The University of Central Lancashire's Student Associates Scheme (SAS) is funded by the Training and Development Agency for Schools (TDA) and, over the last seven years, more than 1,500 students have taken part in the programme.  Between 2008-11 a further 600 students will have the opportunity of taking part in the current 15-day programme.

The Scheme has two main aims:

  • To raise the levels of attainment and aspirations of young people in schools and colleges.
  • To contribute to the recruitment of able and committed students into Initial Teacher Training.

The main emphasis of the programme is firmly based on gaining school-based experience by working alongside professional teachers and receiving guidance from trained mentors.  The key to successful participation in the SAS is being involved as fully as possible with the placement school community - children, parents/carers, teachers, support staff, govenors etc.  At the heart of the SAS are the children, both in and out of school and the current Scheme has a focus on Widening Participation. This entails supporting pupils from families with a limited history of going on to higher education, and encouraging their wider participation in Higher Education. 

How Does the SAS Work?

The SAS is a short programme which comprises of 15 days of school-based experience, plus a series of short courses that will prepare students for their placements.  Students will work alongside qualified teachers and pupils in a variety of ways to gain experience that will not only give them an insight into teaching but will also enhance their employability on graduation.

Students will be able to participate in a wide range of activities with help and support from both school and SAS staff.  Students have found these placements of enormous interest and value and have become fully involved in helping pupils in and out of the classroom.  Students will also be involved in Widening Participation activities whilst on the SAS programme.

To prepare Student Associates for their school-based experience, the SAS project team offers students an induction programme as well as a series of programmes of study, which investigate important issues and aspects of education.  A key feature throughout this course is the linkage of experience to the Professional Standards for Qualified Teacher Status and requirements for Initial Teacher Training.

Who is the SAS aimed at?

The SAS gives registered students in full-time or part-time higher education the opportunity to develop new and invaluable skills and experience through working in a school or college, alongside experienced teachers.

Students registered on an HND, foundation degree, or undergraduate or postgraduate programme, not leading to Qualified Teacher Status (QTS), are eligible to take part.  Even if students subsequently decide that being a teacher is not for them, the experience will still make a valuable addition to their CV.

The Training and Development Agency for Schools (TDA), who fund the project, set targets each year which are aligned to the National shortages of teachers in England.  To support any particular subject students will need to have A Level results in the given subject, or the subject must form a significant part of the university course they are studying. For this year our recruitment targets are quite specific and are given below:

  • Priority 1 - (11-18): 47 students need to be supporting Physics, Chemistry or Maths.
  • Priority 2 - (11-18): 64 students need to be supporting Biology, DT, ICT, RE, Music or Mdoern Foreign Languages.
  • Secondary Other (11-18): 39 students need to support other non-priority subjects, e.g. English, History, Geography, Art and Design, PE etc.
  • Early Years/Primary (3-11): 45 students need to support younger pupils.  Here, we are looking to attract men into Primary, minority ethnic students, disabled students and students who can support Science, Maths or Modern Foreign Languages.

How will students benefit from the Scheme?

In addition to providing students with a tax-free bursary of £600 for completing a 15-day placement in a school or college, the Scheme can also help them to work towards, and get an understanding of, the Professional Standards needed to become a qualified teacher.

The Scheme will also provide new challenges and experiences.  In particular:

  • Having the opportunity to participate in training and development activities
  • Increasing their personal and professional development
  • Experiencing the satisfaction of helping young people to develop and achieve their goals
  • Being able to use the programme activities to make an informed choice of whether or not to become a teacher

On a practical level, the Scheme gives students the opportunity to develop the following skills:

  • Interpersonal skills, such as negotiating, listening and counselling
  • Communication skills, including clear oral communications
  • Confidence, self-esteem and resourcefulness

How to apply for the SAS:

Students wishing to be considered for a place on the Student Associates Scheme will need to download an APPLICATION PACK, save it to their computer, fully complete it and then email it to: studentassociate@uclan.ac.uk

The Criminal Records Bureau - Enhanced Disclosure Process:

Students who are offered placements on the Scheme must be prepared to undergo an Enhanced CRB Clearance.  All schools require a current Enhanced CRB Disclosure before they will be allowed to work in school.  This paperwork will be done at the time of the interview and failure to bring the correct documents to the interview will delay recruitment onto the programme.  The documents that are required are:

  • 2 documents confirming your date of birth, e.g. birth certificate, passport etc.
  • 2 documents with your photograph on, e.g. passport, driving licence etc.
  • 2 documents confirming your current address (from different companies or institutions)
  • 1 passport photograph in colour
  • A University ID/Library card
  • The Student's National Insurance No. if one is available

Induction and Training programme:

All successful students are required to undergo an induction onto the Scheme to enable them to be fully prepared for their placement.  They will be given an SAS Handbook and an accompanying CD-Rom which will give students lots of related and additional information. They will be given training on key educational issues.

The School placement:

The SAS placement is for a full 15-days in school/college, and students may do this one or several days per week depending on how it fits into their University course work. 

End of Placement Assessment:

At the end of the placement in school, students will be required to complete the TDA's Training Entry Profile electronically and email it to the Project Office.  This will then be assessed and a certificate awarded.  Students will also be required to produce a 10-minute PowerPoint presentation on a choice of subjects.

Payment process:

Students are paid at the end of the 15-day placement via a cheque made payable to the individual student.  The payment will be for £600 provided that students have completed the TEP and submitted authorised time sheets as required.  The £600 is a bursary and therefore will not be subject to Tax or National Insurance contributions.  

If a student fails to complete the 15-day placement then deductions will be made for missed attendance.

Schools will be paid £15 per day for mentoring students through the Scheme, totalling £225 for a complete 15-day placement.