In-school training
You will spend the majority of your week based in school, learning from outstanding teacher educators who will provide the mentoring, pastoral care and subject support you need on a daily basis.
The first few weeks
Our school led training helps you to become teachers who better understand the challenges of our diverse local educational landscape and can be quick to adapt to life as an early career teacher. We want you to have the determination to improve outcomes for all pupils, especially the most disadvantaged. We believe every teacher is a teacher of SEND so our curriculum focuses deeply on this.
You will be based in a school from the start of the academic year and feel part of the team, learning from outstanding professionals who will provide all the hands on training and support you need on a daily basis. You will be assigned a subject mentor and will follow a programme that is designed to meet your needs as you develop in confidence as a trainee teacher. You won’t begin to teach straight away but spend the first few weeks observing expert teachers, getting to know your school and the students you will be teaching.
Becoming a subject specialist
Enthusiasm and expert knowledge in your subject is something we look for in our trainee teachers during the recruitment process. We believe that subject knowledge is at the heart of becoming a great teacher.
You will be supported in those areas which have been highlighted from your subject knowledge audit, completed prior to starting your training. Our training will deepen your subject knowledge in relation to curriculum needs and appropriate teaching and learning strategies, with a particular focus on planning, delivery and assessment. The focus is on practical solutions to ensure that you develop as a reflective classroom teacher.
A thinking, reflective teacher
We want our trainee teachers to be reflective and always aspiring to want to improve their teaching. The weekly mentor review is an opportunity to reflect on the previous week and have Professional Learning Conversations. Our trainees value the opportunity to reflect on the week and discuss with their subject mentor ways of improving their pedagogy.
Our training is delivered by Specialist Leaders in Education and expert Teacher Educators from our partner schools. These sessions will provide a framework for you to develop as a teacher and support the practical side of your training with academic research-based input in areas such as cognitive science, mental health and well-being of young people, behaviour and relationships, metacognition and SEND.
Qualified Teacher Status
At the end of your training you will be assessed against the Teachers’ Standards and will be recommended for QTS (Qualified Teacher Status). This is the qualification you need to be able to work in schools.
Post Graduate Certificate in Education
We are in partnership with TEF Gold awarded University of Derby. You will be awarded 60 masters’ credits with your PGCE which will allow you to continue your teacher education in the future.
Contrasting placement
In order to get a full experience of teaching you will spend an extended placement in a contrasting school. This means you’ll be exposed to all kinds of teaching experiences and challenges, gaining a clear insight on how to teach a full spectrum of learners in a range of school contexts.
To give trainee teachers greater depth of understanding you will have the opportunity to visit local SEND schools, primary schools, behaviour support units and the local Faith Centres.