If you are interested in improving your teaching skills, then one of our modules will be right for you.

The modules start with a one-day course, however an integral part of the success of these modules is the after-course support which allows teachers to put into practice what they have learned. Mentoring and online learning form the backbone of the skills development period in which theory is translated into practice. The module ends with an observed teaching lesson; only after this can a ringing teacher becomes an ART Member.

Suitable for those who already teach bell handling and want to update their skills AND for those who have never taught anyone to handle a bell. Module 1 provides you with the skills and techniques necessary to take a ringer from their first lesson to having competent bell control.

You will learn through a mixture of practical and classroom sessions:

• How to teach a skill
• How to break down bell handling into easy stages that the new ringer can master
• About different learning types and how to adapt your teaching for them
• The benefits of intensive teaching

The practical sessions will give you plenty of time to practise your new skills in a safe environment. Working in pairs you will also have opportunity to hone your observation skills and get feedback on your feedback.

After your Module 1 course

It's really important to start teaching as soon as possible after the day course; it's amazing how quickly things can be forgotten and confidence lost if the techniques learnt aren't put into practice very soon afterwards.

See: Module 1 Course Dates

This Module shows new and experienced teachers how to support their students and develop the necessary foundation skills for good ringing and then move forward to ringing changes.  You will learn through a mixture of practical and theory sessions about:

• Developing foundation skills - fine bell control, listening, rhythm and ropesight
• Lots of fun exercises to develop these skills
• Coaching skills and building a successful band
• Introducing Plain Hunt and Covering

In some ways this stage is the hardest part of learning to ring; the excitement and rapid progress associated with (semi)-mastering bell control has passed and time on the rope can be limited if the only practice is once a week with a mixed ability band. This is where this course helps. It introduces lots of fun exercises to help your ringer develop the foundation skills for method ringing; fine bell control, listening and ropesight. There is plenty for your new ringer to practise and measure their progress against whilst stimulating (and sometimes testing) the rest of the band. For bands who don’t aspire to method ringing it gives lots of ideas for Service or wedding ringing which sound good whilst keeping the band interested.

The Birmingham School of Bell Ringing has shown that those who spend longer consolidating foundation skills before learning methods progress more quickly later on.

After your Module 2F course

Practising the skills you've learnt is important in order to consolidate them. More and more ringing teachers are now organising regular foundation skills practices for new ringers in their area. Word of mouth often means that people will come from many miles away to attend!

See: Module 2F Course Dates

To registration for Module 2F: we ask that you are able to ring at least Plain Hunt, in addition to fulfilling all the Module 1 requirements AND raise and lower a bell in peal.

The foundation skill techniques taught in Module 2F are covered in the practical sessions, and then move on to concentrate on the development of change ringing skills using exercises and unusual methods to aid learning. The transition from Plain Hunt to Plain Bob Doubles and Plain Bob Minor is broken down into several simpler, shorter steps, making the jump into change ringing both more gradual and understandable to the new ringer. The theory sessions turn the spotlight on developing leadership skills.

It was brilliant. If you are running a practice, looking after new recruits, looking to develop ringing from where you are now, or looking for new ideas then this is a must.

After your Module 2C course

As for Module 2F practising the skills you've learnt is important in order to consolidate them. If the opportunity isn't there at your local practice, then organise some stand-alone practices or work with other teachers in local groups. You'll be surprised at how popular you become!

See: Module 2C Course Dates

To register for Module 2C: we ask that you have rung a quarter peal inside at Plain Bob Minor standard or above, recorded on Bellboard, in addition to fulfilling all the Module 1 requirements AND raise and lower a bell in peal.

This is a new offering from ART - a half-day course for those who have already attended a Module 2F and wish to top-up with the additional Module 2C material covering the teaching of elementary change ringing.  The course builds on Module 2F and covers:

• Theory – Strong Foundations
• Practical – Building Skills for Plain Hunt
• Practical – Easy Steps to Plain Bob
• Practical – Using Unusual Teaching Methods

What is a mentor?

If you are new to teaching bell ringing, or have been teaching for a while but would appreciate some support, we recommend that a second teacher works alongside you in the tower to shares ideas, offer feedback and help out if needed. This could be a teacher who has already got plenty of teaching experience, or you might like to pair up with another teacher as co-teachers where you work together and support each other.  Having a second person around can be a huge help on a practical level - simply demonstrating a ringing skill or spotting handling issues from a different angle.

After the course, you will start teaching and filling out a log book to record your lessons.  The mentor you are working with will sign off all the teaching tasks so that none are forgotten, or if you're working paired with another teacher or group of teachers, you can sign off each other's books.

If you are attending a Module 1 course, we don't recommend you teach without a more experienced handling teacher present. You will have time to practise teaching bell handling on the course, but it will be on someone who can already ring. Teaching a new ringer is different!

Who is eligible to be a mentor or co-teacher?

So that all the course material makes sense, the ringing teacher you are working with will need to either:

• attend the course with you
• have attended the course within the last 2 years
• already be an accredited Member of ART.

Becoming a mentor

If you're already an experienced teacher you may not need much support yourself.  If you are willing to assist another ringer who is developing their teaching skills, please contact your course Tutor or the ART Administrator.  We would love to hear from you!

Do I need to bring a supporting teacher with me?

If there is another ringer nearby who you enjoy working with and who wants to help you by sharing their experience, or who would like to develop their own teaching skills alongside you, please encourage them to apply for the course too, so that you can pair up and help each other in the tower afterwards.

If you can't find anyone local to come with you, please indicate this when you register for the course, and we will try to help you find someone to work with after the course.