Local teacher training provider celebrates new beginnings and sad farewells

Trainees from North Wiltshire School Centred Initial Teacher Training (NWSCITT) celebrated their first face-to-face graduation since lockdown.

The training provider's trainees have successfully completed their one-year teacher training programme, meaning they can now become qualified teachers.

The graduation afternoon saw Secondary and Primary education trainees presented with certificates by George Croxford - CEO of RWBATrust and NWSCITT Accounting Officer - who congratulated the graduates on a fantastic year.

He said: “Congratulations to our 2021-2022 cohort. We are delighted to send out these amazing teachers to help move education forward in our area. Wonderful people joining the most important profession of all!”

George then went on to give them some advice for their first few years, adding: “Concentrate on making yourself the most amazing teacher you possibly can, and you will have the most wonderful moments all through the day, every single day and you will love this job.”

The award recognises that all graduates have met the Teachers’ Standards, and have been recommended for QTS.

As part of the course they also complete a PGCE with Bath Spa University, and this is due to be awarded in July 2022. With 97% of the graduates having already secured teaching jobs for September and the remainder waiting to hear back from interviews, NWSCITT say they are expecting 100% success rate.

Maths Trainees Gemma Cole and Marta Bacmaga said the support they received from staff is second to none, and that they are delighted they took the SCITT route.

Gemma said: “It’s been very rewarding, I feel like I’ve learnt loads and loads, obviously about teaching, but about myself as well.”

When asked about the programme, she said: “I didn’t know whether I wanted to do a Uni based one or this one. But I’m really pleased I chose the SCITT route as we were in the schools from day one, definitely the best way to do it.”

Marta said: “I thought it was great because we got to be in School from day one, so we got to see how the kids come in and how they grow over the year so that was brilliant.

“I really liked that we had two placements, it was so interested to see how different the second school was from the first.”

Both Gemma and Marta have secured teaching positions starting this July.

The graduation day also saw the SCITT say goodbye to Julie Carr, who has been the Primary Teaching and Learning Tutor for North Wiltshire SCITT since it started in 2015.

When asked how she intended to spend her newfound freedom Julie said: “I’m looking forward to a more relaxing lifestyle and hopefully spending some time in Crete." 

She added: “It has been a privilege to work here for the past eight years, I will miss the staff and especially all the wonderful trainees who have come through our doors. I wish them all the best of luck with their future careers.”

Rhian Davies, Programme Manager for the North Wiltshire SCITT said: “We value all the expertise and support that Julie has provided over the years and she will be greatly missed by everyone. We wish her all the best for her retirement.”

With Julie retiring, North Wiltshire SCITT welcome Louise Pitman-Jones who will be joining the team in September as the new Assistant Programme Manager.

Rhian Davies said: “Louise comes from Sutton Benger Primary School and has a wealth of experience, having held positions in the primary setting mentoring several training teachers. Louise will be an asset to our team and we are looking forward to working with her.”

North Wiltshire SCITT are proud to be the accredited providers for Pickwick Learning Primary (5-11 years) and Inspire Professional Development (3-7 years and 5-11 years) Initial Teacher Training programmes.

Courses for September 2022 start are currently full, but applications will open in October 2022 for a September 2023 start for both Primary and Secondary Initial Teacher Training Courses.

More information can be found by visiting www.nwscitt.org.uk and https://getintoteaching.education.gov.uk or emailing [email protected] for more information, or to arrange an informal chat.