LSJS has launched a new teacher training programme targeting exceptional graduates with a strong background in Jewish leadership and learning to boost the provision of Jewish Studies.
Teach to Lead, a two-year fully paid programme, will enable talented individuals who are committed to the Jewish community to develop their leadership skills whilst training and working as specialist Jewish Studies teachers.
Modelled on the national ‘Teach First’ programme, the LSJS programme has been specially designed to cater both for graduates who intend to devote their working lives to teaching, and for those who will use the experience as a springboard for other vocations.
Since its launch in 2002, ‘Teach First’ has successfully recruited thousands of top graduates to teaching. Recent research by LSJS has demonstrated that Jewish Studies vacancies are increasingly difficult to fill, and that schools are actively seeking staff who can spearhead structural changes in Jewish Studies curricula and practice. LSJS’s Teach to Lead programme has been specifically designed to help meet this need.
It is aimed at graduates who have a hadracha (youth leadership) background or similar experience and/or who have studied in a yeshivah or seminary, but who have not considered teaching before. The ask is for them to commit to teaching in the short term, with a programme where they will experience the ‘front-line’ of teaching, whilst developing skills that will enable them to flourish in their chosen career.
Recruitment will target individuals who have recently graduated or will graduate in summer 2020.
They will complete the programme ready to fast-track to leadership roles within schools, the Jewish community or in other careers.
Candidates will benefit from an intensive leadership module; master classes with key community leaders and educators; one-to-one in-school mentoring and personalised coaching from professional and lay leaders in a variety of fields. There will be placements in schools, corporates and exposure to teaching in centres of excellence abroad. On completion, students will gain Qualified Teacher Status in year 1, a PGCE in year 2 and will have the option of completing a Master’s degree in the third year.
Brett Wigdortz OBE, founder of the national ‘Teach First’ programme, is part of the advisory board and has been working with LSJS to bring this programme to fruition. He said, “This is such an important project for the Jewish Schools Community, LSJS is perfectly placed to run this programme for our community. Teaching is one of the most valuable professions and my experience with Teach First has shown that teaching serves as a perfect springboard for any career. I am honoured to be associated with this programme and encourage any aspiring leader of our community to apply.”
Rachel Fink, Headteacher of JFS and a member of the Advisory Board for Teach to Lead said: “I’m delighted to be involved with Teach to Lead which is a fantastic addition to the training provided by LSJS. As a community we need to ensure we can plan the future Jewish leadership of our schools whilst continuing to develop Jewish learning that is relevant engaging and exciting. Recruits to Teach to Lead will be the ideal people to help turn this vision into reality.”
Joanne Greenaway, Chief Executive of LSJS said: “Thanks to all our partners and advisors on this project who have been so instrumental in bringing this to fruition and, in particular to our School Direct partner schools who care so much about excellence in education. We are very excited to be launching this programme and look forward to boosting our provision to develop future educational leaders. I look forward to meeting them! ”
Applications for Teach to Lead are now open. Potential candidates can find out more at www.teachtolead.uk
