“Exceptional completion and employment rates” (Ofsted 2013)
We pride ourselves in our impressive employment rates. In the last ten years the vast majority of our secondary trainees have found employment in schools within six months of graduating and over half of the 2012/13 cohort are now in promoted posts. Over one hundred and thirty ex-trainees are currently employed in partnership schools and many more in local schools. More recently, a growing number of trainees have secured employment out of the area. Since the introduction of our primary course in 2016, between 90% and 100% of trainees have secured employment in schools within six months of graduating and many of the first cohort now lead physical education in their schools.
Prior to applying for jobs, trainees are supported in a number of preparatory conference days and mock interview days. They also receive support with applications and can request a personal mock interview. Feedback from head teachers about the quality of our trainees in interview is exceptional.
In February each year all schools in the region receive a recruitment brochure providing a one-page profile on each of our trainees. Schools are invited to recruit directly through the North East Partnership SCITT if they choose.
Feedback about our ECTs is equally positive:
“Will is working above the level I would expect from an ECT at this stage. Will has been a pleasure to work with – he came to us with strong foundations from his teacher training year and has the inbuilt drive and professionalism to develop further as a practitioner.”
“Marcella is making excellent progress and is working above expectations in both theory and practical.”
“We are really pleased with Kate’s commitment, attitude and progress, she is a real asset in our department.”
“Adam’s strengths are his planning and preparation; the quality of his lessons has always been good and he prepares in detail for this. Adam is creative and this enables his lessons to be fun and challenging.”
“One of David’s main strengths is his understanding of where pupils are and what they need to do to continue to make progress.”
“Josh has established a strong relationship with his year 2 class, taking on the phonics screening check, which has been a real success. He has demonstrated a good understanding of the different needs of the children in his care and in doing so sets clear and achievable targets in all areas.”
“Jerome is hard working and has a passion for teaching, he is thoughtful and reflective and demonstrates exceptionally high standards.”
“Nathan consistently demonstrates strong and effective relationships with pupils, he contributes effectively to the wider life of the school and takes every opportunity to celebrate success.”
ECT tracking shows that the overwhelming majority of our trainees are working above the expected level during their first term as ECTs.
Covid 19 Response
Between March to June 2020, whilst in the middle of the pandemic, our 2019/20 cohort followed a rigorous distance learning programme to ensure that their subject knowledge and pedagogy continued to develop during the final weeks of their training. Their readiness to teach has been reflected in feedback from ECT supervisors who have reported that 59% of secondary and 75% of primary ECTs were working above the expected level in their first term.
Our 2020/2021 cohort followed their normal programme, within Covid-19 guidelines. All secondary trainees completed both their first and second placements and the majority of their core training. All primary trainees completed their first, second and final placements and the majority of their core training. Feedback from schools last year has been very positive and both the secondary and primary cohorts completion and employment rates have been very high.
In 2021/2022 trainees have followed their normal programme. All secondary and primary trainees have received a full programme, including placements and core training, with enhanced provision through additional online learning opportunities where appropriate.
