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Having completed the CTSN SCITT course in 2018, I am very happy to now be teaching in Netherhall School. The course successfully supported me in building a range of new skills needed for teaching. Working with such a range of experienced teachers and discussing learning with my fellow SCITT teachers, built my confidence and ability to teach. The sequence of in-school time, collaborative seminar-style learning and research/write-up projects all linked the learning well over the year. The course suited my needs perfectly and I also enjoyed it!

After working as a teaching assistant at Comberton Village College, I began to consider teacher training. I soon discovered that much of the outstanding practice I was witnessing on a daily basis was from staff who had trained through CTSN SCITT. This motivated me to take the same route. In my own training, I was placed in 2 contrasting schools and by the end of the training I felt I had a much stronger idea of what great teaching looks like in different contexts. This could not have been achieved without being in the classroom every week. I am now an NQT at my second placement school, Swavesey. This aided my transition into my NQT year as I already felt part of the school. Moreover, the extensive support I was given as a trainee has continued in my NQT year.”

Working as a Teaching Assistant, I had always intended to train as a teacher but, with 3 young children, it never seemed like the right time. However, the CTSN SCITT part-time training route gave me the perfect balance of home life and career progression. From the minute I decided to apply, the staff at both SCITT and school couldn’t have been more helpful; getting my timetable made around my childcare; mentoring and teaching me every day; never losing patience; building my confidence and giving me sound advice throughout the course. The school centred route meant that I had everything I needed to progress in my teaching career at my fingertips; it just felt the right place to train, and I never had a second thought throughout the whole course.

Being an NQT in a special school was certainly a learning curve, but I found that the professional skills and knowledge I had built up during my training year was relevant and I felt that I was equipped with a ‘teacher’s mindset’ of constantly assessing and being able to change my teaching to meet the needs of the students, which is needed whatever the age and ability of the class. Although the SCITT course is quite intensive, I found the amount of teaching built up at a pace I could manage well, and my confidence in my ability to teach increased throughout the year. By the time I started my NQT year I felt well prepared for teaching full-time and having my own class. I absolutely love being a teacher – I am so glad I completed my training through CTSN and thoroughly recommend it.

Teaching is the best career in the world but it is demanding, and good support is vital for success; this is what I received from CTSN SCITT. I could rely on the mentors and tutors for professional and personal support whenever needed. School-based training meant I was able to get fully immersed in the life of the school, even from day one, and allowed me to see and experience parts of school life that can only be seen by ‘insiders’. I would not be the thriving, confident teacher I am without this course, it provided me with a solid foundation and a breadth of knowledge in which to successfully complete my NQT and now RQT year!

Now in my fourth year of teaching, I have used the skills and experiences I gained as a trainee with CTSN SCITT to continue to develop my teaching. I am working in a school that I completed a placement in during my SCITT. Beyond the course, I have been fully supported by the SCITT team that has helped me to overcome challenges of teaching and achieve some of my career goals. The course, together with a successful and driven school, has allowed me to flourish both as a person and as a teacher and I will never look back.

Training with CTSN was simply brilliant. For me, one of the best aspects was that I was in school from day one, so I felt like I was really part of school life even before I went into the classroom. Not only was the course logical, enjoyable and supportive it also put me a on path to things that I never even considered as possibilities when I applied to train: within 4 years of qualifying I became Head of KS4 English, Head of English and am now Assistant Head. The course set me up for a lifelong career in teaching and I love it!