We have consistently been graded as outstanding by Ofsted – 2005, 2009, 2013 , 2022. In January 2022 we were graded outstanding in all areas (leadership and management and the quality of education and training.)

Key finding from the 2022 Ofsted inspection:

• Trainees receive a unique and transformational experience.
• Leadership and management of this SCITT are exceptional. Leaders are relentless in the pursuit of excellence.
• Highly effective partnerships make trainees’ experience the best it can be. All staff who gave their views feel valued and are overwhelmingly positive about the partnership.
• Leaders and mentors give feedback and set personalised and precise targets to help trainees continually improve. This supports trainees to rapidly master the intended curriculum.
• The core content framework is woven expertly through an ambitious and innovative course. In every setting, the curriculum is delivered effectively because school-based learning builds carefully on centre-based learning.
• Trainees are exceptionally well prepared to start their teaching career. They learn and practise in a wide range of different settings, expertly refining their craft.
• Many trainees develop into highly competent teachers who become future leaders.
• Trainees describe the support of leaders and school-based mentors as ‘exceptional’, ‘incredible’ and ‘impeccable’. The quality of communication across the partnership is exceptional. This ensures that trainees receive a consistent, high-quality course offer.

Please click here to read the full report.

From September 2024 the North East Partnership SCITT are joining forces with Durham SCITT. They will act as the accredited provider and will award QTS. Through our partnership, we will provide trainees with an ambitious and innovative curriculum where trainees will fully understand the principles of teaching and learning for their phase, subject and beyond. Trainees will learn and practise in a wide range of settings expertly refining their craft. Our aim, through partnership, is to make excellent teachers that ‘stand out from the crowd’.

All trainees are registered with Northumbria University for the award of PGCE. They are issued with a Northumbria University user ID and password giving them access to university email, u-drive and desktop anywhere. They are also issued with a smartcard to access the university libraries. Northumbria University’s libraries are nationally recognised for the range and quality of services they offer. They are regularly ranked in the top 20 per cent of UK university libraries in student surveys and have been awarded the Cabinet Office Award for Customer Service Excellence. Once registered with the university all trainees will automatically become members of the Northumbria University Student’s Union and will have access to a Northumbria University Extra Discount Card, Northumbria University Clubs and Societies and Northumbria University Sports Teams and Clubs. A representative from the university is a member of our strategic steering group.

We work closely with the Association for Physical Education (afPE) to ensure that programme staff and trainees are at the forefront of current and cutting-edge practice in physical education. The editor of Physical Education Matters, the afPE journal, supports trainees with their academic writing and to publish their work in the journal if they wish.

We have strong links with the Youth Sport Trust (YST).   A number of partnership schools are members of the YST and have the YST Partner Mark. A YST representative sits on the SCITT Management Committee. Some trainees have had their work published on the YST website and in YST publications. The North East Development Manager is a member of our strategic steering group.

We work strategically and in partnership with the Three Rivers Teaching School Alliance, which is one of the newly designated National Teaching School Hubs. The Three Rivers Teaching School Alliance is led by The King Edward VI Academy, Morpeth. It is an outstanding school and has a longstanding reputation for academic excellence and continues to be a central part of the local and regional community. King Edwards VI Academy is one of our associate lead schools alongside Churchill Community College.

We have a strong relationship with education recruitment specialists Vision for Education, to help prepare students for the world of teaching. Vision for Education will support trainees to secure a permanent role once they have graduated, if required. Experienced recruitment consultants will provide trainees with useful job search and application advice and help with personal statement writing and interview techniques. Trainees will also be able to access free training courses through Vision for Education’s continuing development (CPD) programme for teaching staff, to help enhance their skills and keep them up-to-date with the latest developments in education. Vision for Education specialise in providing temporary and permanent teaching and support staff for primary, secondary and SEND (special education needs and disabilities) schools. They have twenty one branches across the UK and are part of TES – the global digital education company committed to supporting teaching and learning.

We are now working in partnership with Servoca Education who specialise in recruiting ECTs into permanent jobs across London. Established in 2010, Servoca Education have gradually built excellent relationships with primary and secondary schools across every part of London. This has helped them to become a leading recruiting agency in the Capital with an excellent reputation of helping students find their first teaching job. Servoca Education arranges formal interviews in reputable schools and hosts events in their London based office. These events enable students to meet with more than one Headteacher informally on one day so the students get a chance to see their options before committing to a formal interview. These events are fee of charge and Servoca Education will also reimburse travel costs.