"We are like a family and I really like that about the Stourport SCITT."
Frankie Price (Teacher of English - Class of 2017)I decided to apply for the SCITT for two reasons; firstly, because coming from a full time job I didn’t want to lose my ‘getting up and going to work’ everyday momentum.
I learn best when I am on the job, in the workplace and getting stuck in from the get-go rather than sitting in a lecture theatre.
Secondly, because I liked how personable all of the people I met on my school experience day were.
It sounds silly but it has made such a difference to my confidence and progress throughout the course. I don’t think I would have progressed as much if I had been in a lecture theatre with 150 other trainees.
There were 26 of us training and we all got to know each other really well which allowed us to support one-another throughout the year and make some really good friends.
All of the SCITT team take the time to get to know you; the support and guidance I received was incredible. We are like a family and I really like that about the Stourport SCITT.
"Stourport SCITT was hugely influential and beneficial to how my career has panned out."
Joe Knott (Head of Year 11 & Teacher of Maths & Modern Foreign Languages - Class of 2015)Training on the Stourport SCITT was hugely influential and beneficial to how my career has panned out over the past 8 years. It gave a really solid foundation and a key understanding of how a school functions and what it is like to be fully integrated into a school from day one. The ability to work with professionals across a range of areas and disciplines in a school during my training year on the Stourport SCITT gave me a really good insight into the inner workings of a school, which has helped me progress in my career in a range of ways. The collaborative and positive approach of the Stourport SCITT gave me all the tools I needed to be successful in the classroom and to help to motivate, challenge and engage students day-to-day.
Whilst still being a classroom teacher, I have also been an Assistant Head of Year, College Leader and I have now been a Head of Year for the past 4 and a half years. It is an incredibly rewarding job, where I feel I can make a huge difference to lives of students and families in the community. It involves supporting students with their academic performance and any attendance issues to school, as well as supporting from a pastoral aspect with mental health support and unpicking behavioural patterns shown by students. It has been incredible to see the change that students can make in a short space of time and the hard-work and dedication that it is important to recognise of many in the school community. Whilst it is a challenging role in school at times (trying to please everyone), I wouldn't change it for the world!
"I applied for three SCITT courses in England and the Stourport SCITT stood head and shoulders above the rest."
Paul Begley (He currently teaches in Dubai - Class of 2018)There are only two universities in the North of Ireland that provide a PGCE so it is a common occurrence for students to travel to England to do their teacher training. I did a lot of research into where I wanted to train; I am quite a home bird and wanted to make sure I was on the right course for me.
I got in contact with Jo Homer to get some information about the course and she was extremely helpful and provided lots of information. I applied for three SCITT courses in England and the Stourport SCITT stood head and shoulders above the rest. The atmosphere in the High School was so warm and welcoming and I felt at ease from the beginning. All of the staff were really amicable and amiable and I really enjoyed my interview day.
When I heard I had been accepted on to the course, I accepted the offer immediately and started to book flights to come to England and sort accommodation for the year. Needless to say, it was the best choice I have ever made.
"The team at Stourport SCITT were incredibly supportive and the professional staff were invaluable."
Ross Unitt (Head of Geography - Class of 2016)I had the pleasure to complete my teacher training through the Stourport SCITT. I was in my late 20s when I was given the opportunity to retrain as a teacher, and as I'm sure some of you are aware, it is quite a daunting thought. But, the team at the Stourport SCITT were incredibly supportive and the professional staff I was paired with were invaluable. The thing that set the SCITT process apart from other forms of teacher training was the insight it provided into the day to day running of the school. The time spent shadowing department team members, seeing the intricate details that go into facilitating effective learning, this was something that had to be experienced. Alongside the in-school insights, we received professional academic support helping to bolster our understanding of mechanisms and pedagogy behind every classroom experience.
For me, the SCITT led directly to employment as a Geography teacher, and the previous year set strong foundations for my adaptation to life as an ECT. After 3 years I became Head of the Geography department, putting the theories and practices that I initially developed through the SCITT, into wider educational settings. My responsibilities now include facilitating professional development hubs in the school, supporting ECTs, being Geography Trust improvement leader and also as a member of the teaching and learning group. The SCITT is a teaching method that helped to cement my passion for lifelong learning and is one that I wholeheartedly recommend.