Trainee teachers visit Island of Guernsey for insightful placement

Earlier this year, some of our students training to teach post-16 and further education learners had the opportunity to take part in a placement at The Guernsey Institute! 

The Guernsey placement forms part of our Further Education Initial Teacher Education (FE ITE) programmes, including the PGDE and CertEd. The Guernsey placement is embedded within the programme’s Professional Practice unit, where trainees are required to engage with teaching and learning beyond their main placement.

Students on the trip specialise in a wide range of subject areas, including Care, English, SEND, Psychology, Politics, English for Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL), Media, and Business. They were able to observe and engage with teaching across several levels of study, providing exposure to a broad range of learners and curriculum levels.

The Guernsey Institute placement has been established for three years, and provides a structured and immersive professional experience. Trainees had opportunities to:

• Observe teaching across a range of subjects and levels
• Engage with learner work, assessment approaches, and curriculum design
• Take part in professional discussions with staff
• Experience different educational contexts

Stefan Fusenich, Programme Leader for Initial Teacher Education at Lincoln Bishop, said: “The overall aim is to develop trainees’ understanding of how their subject is delivered in different settings and to support reflective comparison with their own teaching practice. 

“This type of placement is highly valuable in supporting trainees to broaden their professional perspective. It enables them to develop a deeper understanding of subject pedagogy across different settings, adapt their teaching approaches to a wider range of learners, reflect critically on their own practice, and gain insight into inclusive and SEND provision in specialist contexts. 

“It strengthens their confidence and professional identity, and it encourages trainees to think beyond their own setting and engage more critically with teaching and learning.”

Due to growing demand, Lincoln Bishop are now working with a wider range of providers to enable more trainees to access similar experiences. Participation is organised based on availability and alignment with trainees’ professional development needs.

Student testimonials: 

• Gabbie Flury said: “It was amazing and one of the best experiences I've had. It was really interesting to see different colleges and schools and how the education is similar and different to ours. Definitely worth doing and I'd do it again.”
• Alyssa Fairbrother said: “My placement in Guernsey was a valuable experience that highlighted key differences from teaching in my current setting. I observed a greater emphasis on smaller class sizes, personalised support, and a calmer pace, allowing teachers to be more responsive to individual students. The close-knit community also supported stronger relationships, positively impacting engagement and behaviour. Comparing this to my own experience has helped me reflect more critically on my own approach, particularly around balancing pace and responsiveness. The placement also strengthened relationships with peers on my course, creating a supportive network for sharing ideas and developing our practice going forward.”
• Jay Fox said: “Visiting Guernsey was an incredibly enriching experience. From exploring college campuses and observing lessons to exchanging teaching ideas with peers, every aspect of the visit was valuable. Experiencing a different culture gave me fresh insight into how I can further develop my practice, while also highlighting areas where I am already performing strongly. The island’s beauty and the experiences I gained there will remain fond memories for years to come.”
• Andrew Kennerley said: “What an incredible experience we had at the Guernsey Institute during our placement. The staff were welcoming, supportive and highly informative, and we also had the opportunity to take part in taught sessions with their PGCE students. It was fantastic to build connections with fellow practitioners, with hopes of developing future collaborative projects between both colleges. A truly valuable experience not to be missed!”
• Susan Hebden said: “Guernsey was an incredible experience from start to finish. The staff and students at the Guernsey Institute made us feel extremely welcome. Spending time with everyone was both invaluable and highly productive. As a group, we also enjoyed a range of team-building activities throughout our stay. Definitely an opportunity not to be missed.”
• Greg Sheldon said: “The trip to Guernsey was a great opportunity to experience the difference in life and education between the mainland and the Channel Islands. It was also a time to bond with my classmates and form friendships that will last after the course has finished.”

To find out more about Routes into Teaching at Lincoln Bishop, please click here!