Four tips for those starting a Subject Knowledge Enhancement course

Andrew Bridge is one of our lead English pathway tutors at Tes Institute who supports learners throughout their Subject Knowledge Enhancement (SKE) course. Below he shares some of his top tips for trainees who are starting an SKE to make sure you’re getting the very best out of your experience.

Tip 1: Create a time-table and stick to it

The course is 100% online which means you are in control of when and where you decide to study. I recommend you plan your weeks in advance and block out regular study time. The recommended learning hours for all Tes Institute SKE courses are around 20-25 hours a week, keeping to this suggested amount will help you manage the workload.

Tip 2: Honesty is the best policy

Your pathway tutor is there to help you build your subject knowledge to the appropriate teaching standard. We want to make sure you to get the most out of your course so be honest from the start about where your subject knowledge is lacking and any areas you are unsure of. That way, we can support you in the best way possible. 

Tip 3: Make the most of the support offered 

If you are running into difficulty don’t just sit in silence, reach out! There are several ways you can seek support.

One place is of course, your pathway tutor. We have extensive experience in our subjects and are here to help you strengthen yours. 

Another place to look for support is our English SKE Facebook group, which all trainees are invited to join at the beginning of the course. It is optional, but a very active group and a supportive community for trainees. If you are stuck on a particular area, ask your peers in the group to see if anyone has overcome the same issue.

Tip 4: Enjoy it!

My final tip, is to enjoy it! SKE courses create an opportunity for you to really explore your chosen teaching area. In just a few short weeks/months you will most probably be sharing your knowledge with a class of pupils. So use your SKE time wisely, carry out some reflective practice and think about how you would best deliver what you’ve learnt to a classroom.

Enjoy learning and building your knowledge and passion for the subject.

Tes Institutes is the largest SKE provider in the UK and offer 100% online, tutor supported courses in 11 shortage subjects, find out more about our Subject Knowledge Enhancement courses here.