Alumni

Sophie Evans 

Primary

2014-2015

Training Year: 2014-15

Current Role:  Y6 teacher and maths lead

 

Why did you pick us to be your training provider? I wanted something that was close to home – Arthur Terry has such a good reputation and my family attended there too. I wanted the combination of PGCE as well as having more ‘hands on’ experience that the SCITT provides.

How did the SCITT programme set you up for success during your ECT year and beyond?   I secured a job within the Arthur Terry Learning Partnership, which meant that I had been able to have my placements within the schools and I was also able to move to my school, that I am currently at, just before the summer holidays. Having done my placements within the ATLP, it meant that I already had their core values at the heart of everything that I do.

What did you enjoy most during your training year? 

Being in school and experiencing things first hand. As we were a group of about 10 associate teachers, it meant that we were very close and were able to share good practice between us.

Top tip for someone thinking about becoming a teacher.

Remember – you cannot be your best, if you do not take care of yourself first.

Jon Freeth

Primary

2015-2016

Training Year:   2015-2016

Current Role:  Literacy Co-ordinator & Year 3 Class Teacher

 

Why did you pick us to be your training provider?

After completing a rather lecture-heavy undergraduate course in Creative Advertising, I knew that for my postgraduate studies I wanted something much more focused on experience-based training. The SCITT was based locally to me, the schools were all fantastic and training alongside teachers still doing the job on a daily basis was really important. The SCITT’s outstanding future employment record was also a major factor for choosing them as I was aware of the very high competition for teaching positions and I knew very quickly that I, ideally,  wanted to eventually work within one of the partnership schools.

How did the SCITT programme set you up for success during your ECT year and beyond?   

Having an active learning coach to support you and give feedback every step of the way was absolutely invaluable. Each coach I worked with had extremely high expectations but more importantly was fair, constructive and realistic in terms of what to expect from an Associate Teacher. The professional days where we were trained in different schools within the partnership were fantastic ways of visiting lots of schools, networking with staff and gaining an insight into the varying practices within the partnership.

What did you enjoy most during your training year? 

Having such long placements within one setting, I really did feel that I was one of the team at the schools I was working in. This allowed me to embed school procedures and build strong professional relationships within the school community. Using the non-teaching time to visit different year groups and phases, shadow subject leaders and attend additional CPD with other members of a school team helped me gain a clear understanding of how the whole school functions as a whole and the important roles that each and every individual has to develop pupils’ progress and love of learning.

Top tip for someone thinking about becoming a teacher.

Learn to prioritise. Your ‘To Do’ list will never be completed. Ever! Focus on the tasks that will have the most impact on pupil engagement and progress and work smart. It’s natural to be a perfectionist when it comes to resources, feedback and lesson planning but find strategies to help you manage your time spent doing these things.

Daniel Preece

Primary

2019-2020

Training Year:  2019-2020

Current Role:  Year 3 primary teacher

 

Why did you pick us to be your training provider?

After completing my degree I wanted a more involved course that would allow me to conduct my training on the job. Especially teaching, I felt the best way to learn was by being practical. The SCITT course offered by Arthur Terry offered just this, 4 days a week in schools learning the ins and outs, ups and downs of the career I wanted to follow.

How did the SCITT programme set you up for success during your ECT year and beyond?   

I am currently employed in a partnership school and the current practices we follow in school are all those that were part of the training. The up-to-date training from teachers still in practice gives a current model of practice and access to ask questions from a current educator. The mentor programme also allows for high levels of support on a weekly basis which is critical for self development.

What did you enjoy most during your training year? 

Having the opportunity to share the experience with other students in the same position and being able to help one another each step of the way. Being able to see the progress made from day one to the end.

Top tip for someone thinking about becoming a teacher.

If you have a smile on your face and are having fun, theres a good chance the children will be to, don’t be scared to be silly, have fun it’s the best part.

Nick Blunt

Mathematics & Business Studies

2012

Training Year:   2012

Current Role:  Progress Leader for Year 10

 

Why did you pick us to be your training provider?  Primarily I was looking for a training provider that offered a greater amount of in school experience. Being based in a school appealed to me and I enjoyed diving into school life early on in the course.

How did the SCITT programme set you up for success during your ECT year and beyond?   The SCITT programme gave me confidence in the classroom. Working with my SCITT subject lead helped to develop my subject knowledge, plugging any gaps and an understanding of how to teach different topics. My background is in Accounting not Maths, so these subject sessions were extremely useful.

What did you enjoy most during your training year?  Having the opportunity to train in very different school environments. During the year I spent time in a Primary School, A Specialist Educational Needs School and two very different secondary schools.

Top tip for someone thinking about becoming a teacher. Even the most experienced staff doubt themselves, it’s natural! If you have a genuine interest in helping students succeed, you are the right fit for the profession!

Sophie Lamburn

English

2013-2014

Training Year:  2013/14

Current Role:  Head of Faculty – English

 

Why did you pick us to be your training provider?

I wanted to be in schools as much as possible and I found the stucture of the SCITT course appealing. After looking further into the course, I really liked the combination of in school experience and the regular training sessions with teachers who were experiencing teaching on a daily basis.

How did the SCITT programme set you up for success during your ECT year and beyond?   The thoroughness of the course meant I was fully prepared for my ECT year. I feel I was exposed to all aspects of being a teacher during my training. I was able to develop my subject pedagogy in subject sessions and then put them into action in the classroom. The high quality feedback and targets I received meant I could constantly reflect, adapt and improve. The course enabled me to progress rapidly once in my ECT year and take on new challenges to be able to secure Head of Department in my fourth year of teaching!

What did you enjoy most during your training year? I loved having a small group of other SCITT trainees to work and learn alongside. The support we gave each other throughout the year was invaluable.

Top tip for someone thinking about becoming a teacher. Always be reflective and ready to adapt – things don’t always go to plan but that’s okay, it is how you adapt next time that matters!

Demitrius Smikle

Physical Education

2016-2017

Training Year:   2016-2017

Current Role:  Teacher and head of house at John Willmott

 

Why did you pick us to be your training provider? I picked the Arthur Terry SCITT because Arthur Terry School has a great reputation in Birmingham as well as you having smaller groups. I felt that the course would be more personable.

How did the SCITT programme set you up for success during your ECT year and beyond?   My pedagogy lead and learning coaches ensured that I developed my understanding of the ‘why’ and how to deepen students’ understanding.

What did you enjoy most during your training year? I enjoyed the subject sessions on a Friday and sharing experiences with my fellow trainees about school and students.

Top tip for someone thinking about becoming a teacher. You cant be outstanding everyday, every lesson but you can be consistent with yourself, the students and your lessons

Jim Langran

MFL

2019-2020

Training Year: 2019/20

Current Role: Teacher of French and Spanish at the Coleshill School

 

Why did you pick us to be your training provider?

I applied to several SCITT providers in the Birmingham area, but was struck by the thoughtful nature of the interview process at Arthur Terry. The staff were not just welcoming, but clearly cared deeply about the process of teaching and learning

How did the SCITT programme set you up for success during your ECT year?

The mentors I worked with at both of my placements were hugely supportive, and allowed me to take on real responsibility in their departments, which made the jump to ECT seem less daunting

What did you enjoy most during your training year?

Spending time each week with the other trainees in my subject was a great experience, and we remain in regular contact in our ECT placements

Top tip for someone thinking about becoming a teacher?

Endless hours of planning don’t make for better lessons. You can do more good for your students after a full night’s sleep than with a pristine PowerPoint that you were working on until the early hours.

Sam Cozens

RE

2020-2021

Training Year: 2020/21

Current Role:  Teacher of Religious Education at Heart of England School

Why did you pick us to be your training provider? 

After chancing upon a ‘Train to Teach’ event advert in a local newspaper, I was intrigued to learn more about the training programme that Arthur Terry offered. Following this event, three things really stood out to me. Arthur Terry had: an incredibly helpful SCITT Team, a high employment rating following course completion and an outstanding reputation as a teacher training provider.

How did the SCITT programme set you up for success during your ECT year?

By giving me training that complemented my school placement’s experience. My Learning Coach was very knowledgeable and experienced, she really brought Religious Education to life in the classroom. I was also continually supported by a great Subject Pedagogy Lead who gave insightful training sessions each week. I felt supported throughout the entire course.

 

What did you enjoy most during your training year?

I enjoyed the challenges. These included teaching remotely, adapting to continual timetable changes, differentiating lessons, assessing GCSE exam results, liaising with guest speakers, keeping a healthy work-life balance, the list goes on! It was an exciting journey to be on. Every day was different.

Top tip for someone thinking about becoming a teacher?

Consider getting some school experience observing classes and do not be afraid to interact with the students during these times. Ask teachers questions to help you envisage what teaching is like on a daily basis. If you are keen to apply for a training scheme I would definitely recommend Arthur Terry!

Vicki Dormer

Geography

2020-2021

Training Year: 2020/21

Current Role: ECT Teacher of Geography

Why did you pick us to be your training provider? 

As I was moving from Ireland to complete my teacher
training, Arthur Terry had been recommended to me by numerous people! After meeting the SCITT team during my interview day, I knew it would be the right decision for me!

How did the SCITT programme set you up for success during your ECT year?

The support I received was fantastic. It came from my learning coach at my placement school along with my subject pedagogy lead & the SCITT team as a whole. Receiving weekly training sessions really allowed me to put the theory I was learning into practice within my placement school.  I will continue to implement lots of these strategies in future years.

What did you enjoy most during your training year?

It is difficult to choose but I would say the subject sessions on a Monday afternoon! It was great to meet the other geography associate teachers and discuss our experiences along the way.

Top tip for someone thinking about becoming a teacher?

Definitely be organised and enjoy every minute!