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Rights and responsibilities

Rights and responsibilities

Your placement is a partnership between the school/college and your higher education institution. As a student teacher, you will have certain rights and responsibilities.

You can expect:

  • regular meetings with your mentor (but remember to be flexible)
  • constructive written feedback on your lessons on a regular basis 
  • the same support mechanisms that are available to other staff at the school
  • maintenance of the link between your higher education institution and the school.       

For your part, you should:

  • conduct yourself in a professional manner
  • take all reasonable care of pupils who are in your charge 
  • prepare your work adequately
  • comply with school policies
  • comply with your course requirements
  • take reasonable care of school equipment and pupils’ property.       

Start quote
Do be realistic about committing yourself - there is life beyond school!
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Of course, to gain the maximum benefit from your placement, you should involve yourself in the broader life of the school by taking part in extra-curricular activities, observing staff meetings, attending parents’ evenings, etc. This does not mean, however, that you should get so involved in additional responsibilities that your training is affected.

Do be realistic about committing yourself - there is life beyond school!

 Download ATL's free publication for students, Into the classroom, for further advice on how to get the most out of your studies.

Help and support 
For further advice on this issue, ATL members can speak to their school rep, their branch secretary or their regional official. They can also call the London (020 7930 6441), Cardiff (029 2046 5000) or Belfast office (02890 327 990) or email info@atl.org.uk.

For out of hours enquiries, call the out of office hours helpline on 020 7782 1612 (Monday-Friday, 5-8pm during term time).

If you are not a member, join now.

Further information

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