1. ASSIGNMENTS

Preparing for your assignments
Each individual assignment and activity contains notes for guidance on preparing that particular assignment or activity. Additionally, the following general guidelines or principles apply to all the assignments:-

· Personal Timetable Plan your personal timetable to include the process of preparing your assignment. Answer gradually, alongside your other studying and work. The process may include various stages. According to the particular assignment, these stages may be:
· Read all assignments carefully and make sure that you understand clearly what is being requested. Where possible, read the assignment as soon as you can after starting to read the module.
· Collect the information you need and make notes on it (from the modules, from discussion with colleagues, etc)
· Select and organise your points into a structured answer
· Write a first draft; review it and write a revised version
· Check your final copy for mistakes
· Hand in your finished assignment on time
· Don't delay. Start your assignment early allowing yourself plenty of time to complete the process of preparing and completing your assignment.
· Stick to the "hand-in" schedule. Even if you run out of time preparing your assignment and this means your assignment is not quite as good as you would like it to be. Always do your best in the time available and give your work to your Master Trainer by the deadline date if at all possible.

It is important to note that Master Trainers really need to mark all assignments in one batch in order to ensure uniformity of marking and consistency of grades. If you are not able to hand in your work on time, this makes it more difficult for them and will inevitably mean a delay in the work being returned to all. In addition, when work is returned to some candidates, it could give others an advantage.

Don't spend so much time on your assignment that you ignore your other studies and work. These assignments are not an excuse for ignoring the content of modules or attending the monthly tutorials! They are meant to help you study, not prevent you from studying.

Penalties for late submission of assignments
In order to ensure that assignments are handed in on time, Master Trainers will apply the following penalties for late submission of work.
· Work submitted up to one week late with permission from Master Trainer for a non permitted reason – 2 marks removed
· Work submitted up to one week late without permission from Master Trainer for a non permitted reason – 3 marks removed
· Work submitted over one week late for a non permitted reason – 5 marks removed

Master Trainers will use their discretion about permitted reasons why work may be submitted late. This might include illness, childbirth, accidents and extreme family circumstances beyond the control of the trainee. Non permitted reasons might consist of pressure of work, “being too busy”, unable to finish the module, failure to plan and circumstances clearly in the control of the trainee.

Plagiarism
At times, you may be tempted to copy material directly from others or from books, educational journals or the internet and treat it as though it is your own work. This is not helpful to your personal learning and development. Your grades will be dependent upon the way in which you apply your newly acquired knowledge and insights to education management at your school. It is, of course, perfectly acceptable to include quotations from educational sources which support your argument. These should be clearly shown as quotations and accredited to the author. Plagiarism, however, will be treated as such and discarded without marks.

Submission Dates for Assignments

Module 1:
Assignment 1
November 28, 2008
Assignment 2
December 12, 2008
Portfolio
December 31, 2008
Module 2
Assignment 1
January 30, 2009
Assignment 2
February 27, 2009
Portfolio
February 27, 2009
Module 3
Assignment 1
March 27, 2009
Assignment 2
May 1, 2009
Portfolio
May 1, 2009
Module 4
Assignment 1
May 29, 2009
Assignment 2
June 26, 2009
Portfolio
June 26, 2009
Module 5
Assignment 1
July 31, 2009
Assignment 2
August 28, 2009
Portfolio
August 28, 2009
Module 6
Assignment 1
September 25, 2009
Assignment 2
October 30, 2009
Portfolio
October 30, 2009
Module 7
Assignment 1
November 20, 2009
Assignment 2
December 4, 2009
Portfolio
December 4, 2009
Module 8
Assignment 1
December 18, 2009
Assignment 2
January 8, 2010
Portfolio
January 8, 2010
Module 9
Assignment 1
January 29, 2010
Assignment 2
February 26, 2010
Portfolio
February 26, 2010

N.B. The submission dates for Part Two Assignments 5 – 9 are for guidance only and may be revised when the second Trainee Assessment Booklet is published.