Primary Programme Initial Teacher Training Update

A positive start to another year!
Our Primary Trainees have now settled into their school placements after four busy weeks getting to know their classes and colleagues. They  found being in school for the first week of term useful to observe how our amazing mentors settled the children back in after what was such an unusual summer term. They've been able to take what they've been learning through our training sessions and watch it applied in practice in their schools, and are now beginning to build their own mental model for great teaching. We have heard from our schools that the trainees have brought a professional and reflective attitude which is what we want from our latest cohort of key workers. Well done class of 2021 - It’s an exciting process to witness every year!
We've also been delighted to hear from our NQTs who are enjoying the freedom of having their own classes. We wish them the very best in their new schools. 

If you’re thinking about training to teach with us, keep an eye on this blog and our Twitter @ExCoTSA and Facebook www.facebook.com/ExCoTSA feeds to learn more about our school-centred approach.

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​​Sept 2019
​The year has started with a bang for our Primary trainees and we are thrilled to have 33 engaged and knowledgeable students join the programme. We have a great mix of people from a range of backgrounds, many of whom have considerable school experience and others who have useful skills from other careers. All have shown a great enthusiasm and engagement with our induction days prior to the start of their school placements this week. We have shared our origin stories in a snowball fight which broke the ice (pun intended), and in doing so have learned what gave each trainee the bug to teach. We have unpicked what we mean by ‘deliberate practice’ and applied it to learning the latest playground craze ‘The Triangle Dance’. Well, we need to send the trainees into school able to impress in the playground as well as the classroom… Friendships and connections have been forged which we believe are key to having a productive year.

Alongside the team building and laughter, we have also faced some important and sometimes challenging subjects in order to prepare these new trainee teachers for their time in school. At the heart of all we do is the wellbeing and safety of pupils. We were fortunate to have excellent Safeguarding training delivered by one of our partner headteachers, Alice Purcell from Ide School, who covered all the key elements of safeguarding and child protection clearly and sensitively. We also enjoyed a classroom safari, looking at how the school make a small village site and a Victorian building work for their pupils. We were blown away by the creativity at the school and especially the Take One project which they are hoping might be displayed at the National Gallery.
The trainees are now settling into their schools for a full week immersed within the school setting and are carrying out a task designed to support them when they are NQTs in their own classes next year. They’re on the start of an incredible journey, and we are thrilled to be supporting them through it. Best of luck, Class of 2020!

​Thank you so much for a fantastic couple of days. I found them very worthwhile and valuable (and a really good giggle at points!) and am now very much looking forward to going into school next week. ​- Jacqui

​I really enjoyed the last two days and am really excited to get started in class next week. - Kirsty