The Teacher Training Programme

The Five Counties SCITT programme combines school-centred training, with subject specific and professional development. This ensures trainees develop the knowledge, skills and understanding required to be outstanding teachers.

Successful completion of the programme leads to the award of Qualified Teacher Status (QTS) and the opportunity to gain Post Graduate Certificate in Education (PGCE) with 60 Master’s level credits which is delivered in partnership with Sheffield Hallam University. A QTS only route can be requested and will be considered on an individual basis.

The programme structure is layered and progressive making explicit links to the Teachers’ Standards throughout, deepening and strengthening skills and understanding. Trainees are fully integrated into school life from the start of the school year. School experience and assignments complement training enabling reflection on learning and making links between theory and practice.

The training year can be challenging. With that in mind, we have designed our programme to break you in gently and offer you the right balance of support and challenge to enable you to thrive. We will start off slowly, building your confidence and gradually increasing the expectations of you both in the classroom and in your academic study.

Flexibility in the programme enables us to offer a trainee-centred approach and offer bespoke training opportunities to meet trainee needs.

Programme Features

Induction
September
Early Induction – course starts in September
Introduction to reflective practice
Collaboration and team building with colleagues and peers
Safeguarding training
Intensive Training and Practice
4 weeks going to depth about a specific aspect of teaching with experts including school practice experience; “there is absolute clarity that trainees will best hone their craft through the deliberate practice of subject-specific teaching approaches”. (Ofsted, March 2024)
Exposure to expert practitioners and variety of schools beyond placement schools
Key learning, tasks and guided observations linked to granular targets for putting the learning into practice
Extends and adds breadth to school experience gained, beyond main placements
School Experience
Oct–Jan, Jan, Feb–July
Typically two long school placements where you will spend the majority of your training year
Contrasting school experiences during the year
Gradual increase in teaching responsibility from 20% at the start of placement 1 to 80% by last phase of placement
Individualised support from personal mentor in each placement
Weekly Centre-Based Training
Weekly centre-based training at the Institute, our dedicated training centre in Redfield, Bristol, and/or with Lead Partners
Subject specific training led by current practitioners who are expert Subject Specialists
Professional development and academic studies with expert Teacher Educators; “Trainees benefit from consistently high-quality training at the centre.” (Ofsted, March 2024)
Opportunity to reflect with peers and Programme Leaders on a weekly basis;
Exceptional pastoral support; “Trainees greatly appreciate the partnership’s ongoing support and consideration for their well-being and workload, which enables them to thrive at the centre, on their placements, and in their future careers.” (Ofsted, March 2024)
Cross Phase & Complementary Experience
Opportunity to visit and observe in alternative phase – Nursery, Primary, Secondary, Post 16
Opportunity to observe in specialist provision settings
“Trainees are placed in schools where there are many disadvantaged pupils and where many speak English as an additional language.” (Ofsted, March 2024)
“Trainees are placed in schools that are rich in cultural diversity.” (Ofsted, March 2024)
Trust and Partnership CPD
Staff and Department Meetings
Trust-wide subject networks and collaboration
Education Conferences
Boolean Maths Hub Training
The Maths Hub courses are for primary trainees with a specific interest in teaching and leading Maths.
There is an opportunity to complete a Subject Knowledge Enhancement course in Maths prior to the start of the course, as well as additional training opportunities in association with the Boolean Maths Hub.

“The course leader was always at the end of the phone or email and available to chat and support us. I also had excellent mentors at each of my placements who gave me the time and support to progress. It felt like everybody wanted to support me to do my best and were there for me when things got challenging.”
Primary Trainee