Give a little background about your teaching career so far – how many years teaching, schools, age groups, subject specialisms, leadership roles…
I worked in a primary school for 8 consecutive years as an Administrator before deciding to teach and have loved every second of it! I decided it was time for me to take the next step in my career as my two children grew older. In my 2 placements whilst I have been training, I have been in year 1 and year 3 and I have loved both separately.

Why did you want to be a teacher?
I always knew I wanted to be a teacher, but when I did my law degree, I didn't know how to translate that into teaching at the time.  I found accessing information when I left university very difficult, but working in a primary school for as long as I have has opened my eyes to how impactful teaching can be in the lives of young people.

Why did you choose Exeter Consortium Schools’ Alliance as your training provider? 
I spent a lot of time considering who would be the best provider for me as a trainee teacher. Ultimately, the school that I was working in at the time were using Exeter Consortium and when I looked into their ethos and what they could offer as a training provider, I decided it would be the best fit for me. It was important that a provider could meet my needs as a parent, so locality was really important and I also wanted to train somewhere that gave me the opportunity to be in the classroom as much as possible, getting hands-on experience.

Describe your time training to teach in three words:
Challenging, Invigorating and Enlightening

What advice would you give to prospective trainee teachers?
If I had any advice for upcoming training teachers, it would be to try and plan in advance as much as possible. If you have any questions, don't be afraid to ask them and rely on the expertise of your mentor and others around you. It's very easy to take feedback personally, but ultimately, they are trying to help you become the best you can be. Embrace every day, put your best foot forward and seize every opportunity to improve and learn.
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Give a little background about your teaching career so far – how many years teaching, schools, age groups, subject specialisms, leadership roles…
I have been lucky enough to gain experience in Reception, Year 1 and Year 4 across two schools, and have furthered my role through observing a multitude of other years and interventions. I have worked previously as an Au Pair and nanny which first inspired my career working with children inspiring them and encouraging them to love their learning throughout their time in the education setting. I am excited to move into my role as a KS1 teacher in September. 

Why did you want to be a teacher?
I love being able to inspire children, encouraging them to find fun in everything they do. I want to build a supportive and warm environment where children feel safe and happy each day, and find seeing the progress that children show throughout their time at school so incredibly rewarding. 

Why did you choose Exeter Consortium Schools’ Alliance as your training provider? 
The placement-based route was something that really appealed to me, being able to immerse ourselves into the classroom and learn practically has really helped me with my practise and I feel has prepared me excellently for my role as an ECT and into my future career. The skills they teach us have been incredibly helpful, and really aid us in refining our practise and supporting our pupils in the best way possible, setting high expectations and striving for their best.

What were your favourite aspects of the course?
Being able to meet like-minded people and being immersed into subject-specific training weekly during the first few terms. This prepared us for each area of our practise and being able to meet others in the same position was amazing for our wellbeing and reflecting on our time as trainees. 

Did you find Exeter Consortium to be supportive and welcoming?
Exeter Consortium has been so supportive and welcoming. I could not have found a more supportive programme to be a part of. The care that the team put into our training and any support we require goes above and beyond and I am incredibly grateful for all of their help throughout my training year. My trainee colleagues are all kind and supportive, and I have made friends for life.

Exeter Consortium strive to be inclusive and committed to Equal opportunities. Are you able to comment on any way in which you found this to be the case?
Exeter Consortium provide each and everyone of us with the support and opportunities available to our cohort, we are all included in every activity and discussion where possible and it truly feels like a community between both the team and and us as trainees.

Describe your time training to teach in three words:
Inspiring, Exciting, Knowledgable

What advice would you give to prospective trainee teachers?
Choosing to begin my career as a Primary teacher was the best decision I have ever made. My advice would be to take every opportunity, don’t be afraid to ask questions and just to get stuck in! Diving in to our placements head first has prepared me so well for my future practise and built my confidence to be able to believe in myself as an ECT and into my career.

Why did you want to be a teacher?
Having always loved working with young people, I was excited by the opportunity to work in an environment that would allow me to build meaningful relationships with and make a difference to children’s lives and support them on their educational journey. Having had a positive school experience myself, I was keen to create the same experience for others and foster this love for education.

Why did you choose Exeter Consortium Schools’ Alliance as your training provider? 
Having had no previous experience working directly in an educational or classroom setting, I wanted a training programme that would best equip me with a realistic experience of teaching and school life surrounding the academic aspects. Going into placement early on in my training allowed me to be hands on and learn through the processes, without it feeling overwhelming despite my previous experience. Both my lead and school mentor have been incredible in providing me with strategies, resources and opportunities to immerse myself into school life and as a result I feel prepared and aware of the expectations going into my first year as an ECT. 

What were your favourite aspects of the course?
I have absolutely loved having the opportunity to visit and learn from different schools and educational environments. It has really allowed me to gain experience and learn new things from various schools equipping me with a broad teaching skillset. The interactive subject specific days have also been a huge highlight, as well as gaining such a strong support network and friendships within the cohort of trainees. 

Did you find Exeter Consortium to be supportive and welcoming?
Everyone at Exeter Consortium have been extremely welcoming and encouraging, making sure to make time for me whenever I needed. The entire team have been so supportive and provided me with positive, constructive feedback to enable me to develop as a skilled practitioner.
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Claire Strudwick | St George's CofE Primary Academy
Claire has brought the magic of the natural world to life for the pupils at St George’s in Plymouth. Since November, she has developed and delivered Forest School sessions for all 94 children in the school. From whittling wands to mastering flint and steel to light "fairy fires," Claire has created a space where children can take healthy risks and connect deeply with nature.

The impact of Claire’s work has even reached the wider community, with some of her pupils appearing on BBC Spotlight to share their enthusiasm for the RSPB Big Schools Bird Watch. Whether she is tending to the school's resident chicken, 'Penguin', or managing a woodchip delivery to keep the mud at bay, Claire’s infectious energy has inspired pupils and staff alike to embrace the great outdoors.

Clara-Joy Crawford | Abbotskerwell Primary
Clara-Joy has transformed the sporting culture at Abbotskerwell Primary by fostering a dynamic and inclusive environment for every student. As a PE teacher, her influence extends far beyond the curriculum; she has introduced a comprehensive "activities board" to structure play and regularly collaborates with the School Council to ensure children have a direct say in the sports they play.

Clara-Joy is particularly passionate about leadership, working closely with her Sports Captains to mentor them as they organise major events like fundraising initiatives and Sports Days. By prioritizing both physical skill and emotional well-being, she has made exercise an enjoyable, integral part of the school experience for pupils, staff, and parents alike.

Could your school nominate a hero?
Nominations are a fantastic way to say "thank you" to someone who makes a difference in your setting. Each partner school can nominate one member of staff per year. Keep an eye on our newsletters for the next nomination deadline!

The impact has been immediate. Pupils are enjoying a new, engaging play space that encourages imagination, teamwork and exploration. The sensory experience of sand play is supporting both creativity and wellbeing, while also creating more opportunities for social interaction across the school.

As Kathy Skinner, Deputy Headteacher, shared:

“The children are really enjoying having an additional play activity and space in the playground. It’s wonderful to see their creativity, as well as them having the opportunity for the sensory feel of sand.”

This project highlights how a simple idea, supported by a small grant, can create lasting improvements to play and learning for all pupils.

Find out how to apply
Details about future School Project Fund rounds are shared in the Exeter Consortium monthly newsletter. Subscribe here to stay informed.