Benefits of engaging with ITT

ITT can support schools and staff in many ways

How have Bradford schools benefitted from engaging with ITT?

FEVERSHAM GIRLS' ACADEMY

Welcoming ITTs into our school at the beginning of each phase of training is a very exciting time for Feversham. We begin all our placements with observations around the school which allows teachers with years of experience as well as those very early on in their careers to showcase their subjects and strategies to engage learners. Across subjects, mentoring has become an attractive opportunity for professional development. The relationships formed within this partnership offer support and guidance to nurture the next generation of talented teachers who will make that all-important difference to the lives of young people. Over the years we have been able to network with professionals from a wide range of ITT providers developing the scope of opportunity for our staff to access further professional development and training. It’s also fantastic for recruitment with many of our ECTs securing permanent jobs with us making the process of providing training all the more rewarding.

Naveeda Khan
Assistant Principal Teaching & Learning, Feversham Girls' Academy

HARDEN PRIMARY SCHOOL

At Harden, we have found that engaging with ITT has had great recruitment and retention benefits. ITT trainees have often become our ECTs and have stayed with the school for many years after. This is because they are fully aware of our school values and have become invested in the school ethos.

The opportunity to mentor has also meant that existing teachers within the school have had excellent CPD, impacting on their practice within school. It gives teachers within my school the chance to regularly reflect on their practice.

Finally, the ITAP week we hosted at Harden allowed us to showcase our expertise in phonics and early reading and evaluate all the evidence-based practice within our school.

Leanne Ruddock
Head of School, Harden Primary School

BECKFOOT OAKBANK

As a school, we feel the benefit of working with ITTs in a number of ways. The trainees themselves bring enthusiasm and fresh ideas to their subject teams as well as wider school life. They contribute fully in faculties and act as role models for our children. The staff who act as mentors benefit by enhancing their own coaching skills, seeing the professional growth of the trainees and by reflecting on their own practice.

Those trainees who have joined us as ECTs have gone from strength to strength.

Ultimately, we are investing not only in future talent for Beckfoot Oakbank and The Beckfoot Trust, but for the teaching profession in general.

Liz Hart
Headteacher, Beckfoot Oakbank

GIRLINGTON PRIMARY SCHOOL

Continuous professional development at all levels is held in high regard at Girlington. Engaging with ITT has enabled us to provide further opportunities for middle leaders to develop their leadership skills as they have participated in the training offered by Exceed SCITT and then put this into practice back in school. The Instructional Coaching model has been particularly useful.

Kate Brewis
Assistant Headteacher

THE ACADEMY AT ST JAMES

In 2017 the school was in a very challenging period and had 4 Headteachers in 9 months. Rather than shy away from using ITT and ECT we did the exact opposite and used this as an opportunity to grow and develop our staff, investing heavily in early career development. We recruited 4 ECTs in 2 years and through a successful mentoring and coaching programme we were able to give our ECTs the CPD and professional development they needed to become expert teachers. Recruiting and retaining excellent staff is a key part of system wide leadership. I can honestly say our development of these staff has contributed significantly to the success of the school, which is now stable, providing an excellent curriculum for all and securing a Good from OFSTED in 2022 with Outstanding for Leadership and Management. Growing good teachers, supporting them in the classroom and providing them with great CPD to improve their practice is a moral imperative for all school leaders. We want and the children deserve the best teachers in front of children striving for excellence. By putting ITT and ECT development high on our priority list we have grown leaders of the future.

Chris Tolson
Headteacher

WOODSIDE ACADEMY

Our ITT provider delivers high quality training for ECTs, mentors and the Induction Tutor. The training is specific and has allowed Woodside Acadmy to engage fully with the programme. The mentors work tirelessly with their ECTs and it has been lovely to see the progress that they have made this term.