At Exeter Consortium, we are committed to providing world-class teacher training right here in the heart of our local communities. Today, we are proud to celebrate a major milestone for one of our current trainees at the Plymouth Hub, Phil Jones.

Based at Marine Academy Primary, our Plymouth Hub offers practitioner-led training designed to give aspiring teachers the best possible start. We are thrilled to announce that Phil has officially secured his first permanent teaching post for the upcoming academic year!

This success is a testament to Phil’s hard work and the high-quality, school-based environment provided by our Plymouth partnership.
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​Personalised Support in Plymouth
​We know that every trainee’s journey is different. Our leadership team work closely with every individual to ensure they have the tools to succeed, including comprehensive support for those with additional needs.

"I have dyslexia and all my needs have been fully met throughout the course, something I am really grateful for. Dawn, Sara, and the wider team have been incredibly supportive, whether that is help with planning, navigating a tricky situation on placement, or simply talking something through."

Winning the Interview
The final hurdle of any training year is the job application process. Our Plymouth trainees benefit from intensive, one-on-one support - from polishing personal statements to mock interview practice - ensuring they are the most competitive candidates in the field.

"During the application process I received brilliant support from Sara and Dawn, from preparing my personal statement through to practising interview questions the day before. I could not recommend Exeter Consortium enough and feel so grateful I made the decision to train with them."

Train to Teach in Plymouth
Are you based in Plymouth, Ivybridge or South West Devon? Our Plymouth Hub at Marine Academy Primary is currently open for applications for the 2026/27 academic year.

The Exeter Consortium School Project Fund is a small grants initiative that helps Exeter Consortium partner schools make a real difference in their communities. Schools can apply for grants of up to £100 to support creative classroom projects, wellbeing initiatives, outdoor learning, or other activities that benefit pupils, families, or the wider school community. The fund is designed to provide targeted support for small-scale projects with a visible, positive impact on school life.

Withycombe Raleigh C of E Primary School is a great example of this in action. When the school applied to the Project Fund, they were in the process of becoming an OPAL (Outdoor Play and Learning) school, with a clear commitment to improving the quality of play for all pupils. Their application highlighted a strong belief that play is essential to children’s physical, emotional, social, spiritual and intellectual development, and that high-quality playtimes help children return to the classroom ready to learn.

The school was awarded £100, which was used to purchase waterproof overalls for pupils using the digging pit. This practical investment has significantly improved access to outdoor play in all weather conditions, transforming the digging area into a purposeful, high-engagement space where children can build, problem-solve and collaborate through active, physical play.
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​​The impact has been clear. Children are returning from playtimes calmer, more regulated and more ready to learn. Staff have seen a reduction in minor conflicts, as pupils are more absorbed in meaningful play opportunities. Lunchtimes now feel more positive and purposeful across the school.

As Charlie Church, a teacher at the school, shared:

“The OPAL project has continued to grow positively across the school. The impact has been noticeable - children are more engaged in play and more settled back in the classroom.”

This project reflects the aims of the Exeter Consortium School Project Fund: supporting small-scale ideas that deliver clear, lasting benefits for pupils and school communities.

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.

Applications are now open for our Primary Teacher Training (SCITT) programmes starting in September 2026.

Train to teach with Exeter Consortium Schools’ Alliance, offering school-based teacher training with real classroom experience from day one. You’ll be supported by expert mentors and tutors throughout your journey, developing the skills and confidence to thrive as a primary teacher.

With school placements available across Devon, Somerset, Plymouth, North Devon and the wider South West, our programmes provide high-quality, practical training that prepares you for a rewarding career in education.

Find out more and apply today: Train to Teach with Exeter Consortium

If you’ve started exploring teacher training, you might have come across the term SCITT and wondered what it actually means. Here's a quick guide to help:
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What does SCITT mean?
SCITT stands for School-Centred Initial Teacher Training. As the name suggests, this route is centred in schools. From your very first week, you’ll be part of a classroom team, learning directly from experienced teachers and mentors.

Our SCITT programmes combine:

•  Hands-on school experience  in over 100 partner schools across the South West.
• Academic excellence through a PGCE from the University of Exeter, with 60 Master’s credits.
• Personalised support from expert mentors, hub teams and our central partnership staff.

The programme is designed to build confidence, resilience and the practical skills you’ll need for a successful teaching career.

Why choose SCITT with Exeter Consortium?
Training with us means:

• School-based from day one – start your placement in September, supported from the very beginning.
• Local and diverse experience – train in schools across the South West, from city schools to rural primaries.
• Tailored support – praised by Ofsted for being highly responsive and personal.
• Dual qualification – gain Qualified Teacher Status (QTS) and a University of Exeter PGCE.

Our SCITT Primary Routes
We offer three clear pathways so you can specialise in the phase of education that excites you most:

• Primary (3–7) – covering EYFS and Key Stage 1.
• Primary (5–11) – focusing on Key Stage 1 and Key Stage 2.
• Primary (SEND) – combining mainstream placements with experience in special educational needs settings.

Whichever route you choose, you’ll receive outstanding preparation to thrive as a new teacher.

Ready to train to teach?
If you’re considering a career in teaching, our Exeter Consortium SCITT-PGCE programmes could be the perfect fit.

Find out more on our Train to Teach page.
Explore why so many trainees recommend us on our Testimonials page.

Reading is of my biggest passions, not just in teaching children the skills to read but also encouraging them to find the books, poems and stories that inspire and excite them. At St Thomas, we’ve developed a reading ladder that exposes children to a variety of genres and characters, allowing them to learn about others and build empathy but also to see themselves inside stories and feel that sense of being seen and belonging. I am so grateful to work alongside an amazing team who all prioritise a school culture based on a love of books. We enjoy celebrating big things like parent reading events, author visits and World Book Day, but more importantly, we all love talking about books and supporting children to build the will and skills to read for knowledge and pleasure.

In addition to leading English across the school, I also lead our Oracy programme with Voice21. I have enjoyed this challenge immensely, learning so much about the importance of speaking and listening and developing this as a priority at St Thomas. In a short time, we have seen an amazing increase in listening skills and justifying reasons through speaking in our children. I absolutely love leading our oracy assemblies and seeing children grow in confidence to share their ideas.

Most importantly, I love being in my Year 2 classroom. Aside from English, I especially love teaching maths, history and DT. We love class trips, listening to music, celebrating each others’ achievements and making sure everyone in our classroom is included and cared for. Getting to know the children and their interests, seeing the progress they make and helping make learning fun for them is the most rewarding feeling. I feel so grateful to be a part of their school journeys!”

Kathryn’s head teacher said “Going the extra mile, a ray of sunshine, a champion for children are just a few of the qualities which Mrs Morgan possesses. She not only teachers her Year 2 class but leads whole school initiatives: Early Reading, English, Voice 21 and ITT coordinator. Whilst the school’s Deputy has been on maternity leave she has also taken on extra responsibility supporting the Headteacher – one of those teachers who lights up the school with her presence (and her playlists before school are always welcome!) Mrs Morgan is passionate about every pupil in the school developing a love of reading for pleasure and leads parent workshops and regular CPD for the whole school staff. Her boundless energy and enthusiasm are best seen at playtimes as she charges around the playground playing ‘Pacman’ surrounded by beaming children. Every school needs a Mrs Morgan!”