Leaving Student Teachers Alone In Classes

FAQs

 

 

Is my student teacher a core worker under the Vulnerable Children Act?

Every student teacher admitted to an Initial Teacher Education programme is subject to safety checks under the Vulnerable Children Act 2014. A safety check includes (but is not limited to) a New Zealand Police vet and an assessment of the risk, if any, that the student would pose to the safety of children if employed or engaged as a children’s worker. This means all student teachers are assessed as Core workers prior to being placed on any practicum.

 

What are the guidelines for leaving student teachers alone in classes during practicum?

It is important that student teachers are provided with opportunities to observe and to be observed, and to receive feedback about their professional growth. It is a Ministry of Education requirement that a class remains under the supervision of an employed certificated teacher at all times when a student teacher is placed in the school. The student teacher must know where this person is and how to seek their support when needed.

 

If a student teacher is left alone to run the class and things go wrong who is liable?

The associate teacher or delegated alternate maintains the in loco parentis role and carries the responsibility for what occurs in that room.

Is it OK to ask a student teacher to relief-teach a class when they already have full-class responsibility?

It is a Ministry of Education requirement that a class remains under the supervision of an employed certificated teacher at all times when a student teacher is placed in the school. Student teachers should not be put in a vulnerable situation by being asked to relief-teach a class. Such requests are not appropriate.