Trainee Voices

Please explain a little about your background:
I started my teaching career by applying for the Spencer Academies SCITT programme where I was placed at Chetwynd Primary Academy as a student teacher. After completing my course, I was offered a job there and there I have remained ever since. Since then I have gone onto complete various qualifications through the teaching school, which have enabled me to network with others, learn and progress in my own career.

Why did you choose GSA SCITT?
At face value, it seemed like a well-run teacher training course and in comparison to other courses, it had a lot of support for subject knowledge, something which other training courses lacked.

What impact did the programme have?
For me, the main impact has been the improvement of my own practice as a result of the research that has been shared and the opportunities to collaborate and network with like-minded professionals.

Would you recommend the programme to others?
Yes – most definitely and I already have.

“It’s been a pleasure to spend my journey in teaching with such a lovely, group of colleagues and as part of a well-organised set up.” – Lewis Horsley

Please explain a little about your background:

Before training as a teacher, I worked for 17 years in the High-Performance Sports Industry
with Olympic and Paralympic athletes. This job allowed me to put science into action around the World with amazing people. I often found myself using science principals I had learned in school. I have always been passionate about developing people and enjoyed seeing people learn new skills and knowledge, or try something new as a means of experimenting or natural curiosity. When looking for a career change for a job with allowed me more consistency to me weekly schedule and less World-wide travel for extended periods – teaching felt like a natural fit. Not only to support my own love of learning and teaching people something new, but also to bring science to life in the classroom. I have been able to bring various elements of my old job into the classroom to enthuse and motivate students to engage in science from a practical level.

Why did you choose GSA SCITT?
I felt that the history behind George Spencer Academy, the high-quality standards it had achieved and the people I met during the interview process all led me to feel that this was the best fit for my training.

Please give brief details of the programme you attended:
I attended the GSA SCITT programme and PGCE supported by Derby University. The SCITT programme offered a variety of experiences to be exposed too alongside the training sessions. For example, the opportunity to visit a SEND school, school for diversity, a contrast placement all expanded the experience I was gaining in my placement school.

What impact did the programme have?
The SCITT programme had a profound impact on me as a trainee teacher. Not only giving me the skills to teach in the classroom, but also building a network of peers who could support each other throughout the process and when moving on to NQT years. In addition, the programme enabled me to have the confidence as a trainee to teach to a high standard and feel supported by the SCITT mentors, subject knowledge teachers and all people involved in our training year.

Would you recommend the programme to others?
Yes, definitely. I have already suggested it to friends and others who have asked me about my training.

Please explain a little about your background:
I completed my degree in Sports, Exercise and Rehabilitation Sciences at the
University of Birmingham, after always having a keen interest in science and sport whilst growing up. I then decided to complete the SCITT Programme with the Spencer Academy Trust as I wanted to spend as much of my training year in class as possible and the programme had a really good reputation.

Why did you choose GSA SCITT?
Due to the reputation of the SCITT programme and because it would enable me to train in a variety of local schools.

Please give brief details of the programme(s) you attended:
I completed my SCITT year in Year 1 at Bramcote Hills Primary and Year 5 at Portland Spencer Academy. These placements and the training I received at George Spencer enabled me to enter my NQT year feeling confident and prepared. Since then, I have completed my Leadership Pathways, I am currently part way through my NPQML, have become a SCITT Mentor and Subject Knowledge Moderator.

What impact did the programme(s) have?
The programmes have enabled me to progress quickly into middle leadership and have given me a vast array of knowledge and experience that I use on a daily basis.

Would you recommend the programme(s) to others?
Yes, I would recommend all the programmes I have attended to others as they
have enabled me to become the best teacher I can be and support me in my
journey into leadership.

Tell us about your route into teaching
It was during my year abroad as part of my degree, teaching in a Spanish School that it really made me start thinking about teaching. I did some research into the different routes into teaching and decided that I would be better suited to a SCITT, as I am a practical person who likes to learn ‘on the job’.

What inspired you to become a teacher?
I’ve always had a passion for languages that was shared with me by one of my own teachers. Very much a cliché – I want to help people, share my knowledge, passion and skills as it can be so rewarding.

Why did you choose George Spencer Academy SCITT?
I first visited George Spencer Academy on the School Experience Programme and learned more about the SCITT route. Everyone in the faculty was so welcoming and supportive, providing practical advice about how to move forward with my career. It was this encouragement that helped me to decide George Spencer Academy SCITT was where I wanted to train to teach

What would you say to anyone else thinking of becoming a teacher?
Definitely train with a SCITT. My experience of training with SCITT has prepared me more for the everyday life of a teacher. When I talk with other NQTs, it has made me realise how much easier my transition to NQT was compared to if I had undertaken a PGCE course

What was the best part of your training?
Feeling part of a community. Right from day one, there was always somebody there to help and support, whether it was staff or trainees. I was lucky being placed in a school with a number of other trainees who felt exactly the same as me, and we were able to share our journey.

Please explain a little about your background:
I am an outgoing people person and had always been involved working with children, initially in a number of sports coaching roles and a summer working abroad at a summer camp in America. I knew I wanted to be a teacher but wasn’t sure about which subject or age range.

Why did you choose GSA SCITT?
I knew that I would be best suited to a programme where I would be able to spend more time in a school and learning in the classroom. I had heard about Spencer Academies Trust and their routes into teaching from a former colleague who spoke highly of the route and of the course. When I visited George Spencer Academy, the staff were very friendly and outlined the different aspects of the programme.

Please give brief details of the programme(s) you attended:
I attended the George Spencer Academy SCITT programme to complete my teacher training and was based at a great school in Nottingham. I stayed within the trust and started my NQT year at Wyndham Primary Academy in Derby where I attended a number of NQT professional development sessions.

What impact did the programme(s) have?
I think you get to see the real side of teaching straight away rather than learning about it in lectures. The programme definitely increased my confidence and knowledge around the role of teacher, especially the wider aspects of teaching. The SCITT prepared me with key skills which were then built upon and further developed during my NQT and RQT year.

Would you recommend the programme(s) to others?
If you are looking to get into teaching and want to spend as much time in the classroom before you qualify then I would recommend the programme. Support was always available from the SCITT staff to help guide you.

Please explain a little about your background:

Worked as a lifeguard and activity leader at a local leisure centre. Worked out in America lifeguarding and teaching swimming. Studied at the University of Derby, gaining a 2:1 in Sport and Exercise Science. Went onto complete my SCITT at George Spencer Academy with a placement at Farnborough Academy. Now working as a PE and Maths teacher at Netherwood.

Why did you choose GSA SCITT?
Read good comments online regarding the SCITT programme and was very impressed with it when I went for interview. Chose GSA SCITT over Loughborough University.

Please give brief details of the programme you attended:
Completed two placements during my SCITT year. One in an outstanding school and one in an Inadequate school which was on a journey to good. One school was extremely diverse and the complete opposite of the other. Also went on placement for a few days at an SEN provision school, along with a few days at a school which contained a high percentage of EAL and PP students.

What impact did the programme have?
Enabled me to improve on all of the teaching standards, along with building up my confidence in a classroom. Working full time really gave me an understanding for the workload and expectations, which I feel I wouldn’t have gained on a regular university course. Being placed in two polar opposite schools also showed how adaptive I could be to new situations.

Would you recommend the programme to others?
Yes!