Initial Teacher Training (ITT)

ITT: Why become a member of the ITT class of 2025-2026!

Our 2024-2025 cohort of Associate Teachers are now more than half-way through their training. Their success to date would no have been possible without all the support from our trainers, the University of Chester and our incredible placement schools, who provide all the coaching, mentoring and modelling of the practical implementation of all that is learnt through academic and centre-based learning.

What does STEP offer?

STEP offers the Lead School Partner PGCE route

The Lead School Partner Route is a way to ensure that local trainees access a high quality course, with strong academic outcomes and strong pedagogical knowledge and skills to use in the classroom. Trainees focus on your academic and centre based learning, and providing the opportunity for you to use and apply this on local placements. All this is done with the guidance and support of the university, to ensure a consistent approach for all.

Why do STEP partners choose to work with Chester?

There is a true working relationship, with regular communication and supportive colleagues at the university who listen and offer advice. The voice of partners is listened to, through fortnightly meetings and opportunities to collaborate with colleagues to develop materials and influence the shape of the course.

Why should I want to go down this pathway to be a teacher?

This route offers the opportunity to train with a university provider locally and build a career in your local area. The course is rigorous and ensures that you are well prepared to engage with your first teaching role in your local area.

Siân Deane – ITT Strategic Lead for STEP, recently spoke to Associate Teachers from Severn Training and Schools Alliance and, Sam Scott for Shropshire Primary Partnership to ask them about their experience of the first half of their PGCE course. The only people who can truly understand what it is like to be on Lead School Partner course are the Associate Teachers. This is what they told us:

‘I chose to apply for Severn because i think it is the most recognised ITT provider in Telford. In my previous employment I have met ECTs who have completed the training and are brilliant teachers’ – Zoe Walters

‘I would recommend training with Severn as the support and guidance provided is extremely helpful. Throughout the course, the training experts have provided important information and given guidance in making lessons fun and accessible to all learners. On top of this, Severn have provided us with opportunities to visit several primary schools throughout the course to gain a clear understanding of how schools in different areas operate. It is a demanding and challenging course, but Severn have put support in place to ensure that is also an enjoyable course as well’. – Matthew Baugh

‘I would recommend training with Severn as they have been nothing but supportive to me since before, I even started! Having my previous course cancelled on me just before I was due to start was extremely distressing and upsetting and I am so grateful for the support and welcome I received right from the start! The course leaders genuinely care about their students, going out of their way to check on their wellbeing and the support is always there should we need it. The course itself is hard work but it is so so rewarding and I have learnt so much that I know will be invaluable when I come to qualify and have my own class!’ – Sarah Buckley

‘I chose to study with Severn because of its strong connections with many local schools in Telford. This allows associate teachers to build relationships with schools in the area and gain valuable experience working alongside experienced teachers. Additionally, friends of mine who previously attended the course spoke highly of Severn and are all now employed in local schools’ – Toyah Ward

I would highly recommend Severn Training Alliance to other prospective candidates for their PGCE due to its convenient location and strong support system. Being close to home allows for a more manageable work-life balance, making it easier to focus on both the academic and comprehensive training experience, with excellent mentoring and the opportunity to build connections within a supportive network of educators. The proximity ensures that I can fully immerse myself in the program without the stress of long commutes, making it an ideal choice for those seeking a well-rounded, accessible PGCE experience.’ – Rebecca Crook

‘I would recommend training with Severn because you are placed in local schools, which is great as they are the schools you would actually be applying for, so it’s a perfect opportunity to have early opinions on where you might like to work. Along with this, you are also training alongside a cohort that will support you and are from a range of backgrounds and specialities, also a great opportunity to learn from others in the group.’ – Abigail Gandy

‘I would recommend training with Severn Training & Schools Alliance to anyone looking to gain their PGCE. They offer unmatched, friendly support which makes such a difference to the learning process. As well as this, the subject lecturers are passionate and engaged with their teaching, which creates a motivational and positive atmosphere. I am so glad to be learning to teach with STSA and would encourage future teachers to apply!’ – Lottie Rowlands

‘I would highly recommend training at Severn Training Schools Alliance for several reasons. Firstly, they offer a dynamic and engaging training experience that prepares you for the real challenges of teaching. The program is designed to be comprehensive, with hands-on experience and a focus on practical teaching methods that directly apply to the classroom. Additionally, Severn Training Schools Alliance is amazing for their commitment to inclusion, diversity, and individualized support. They understand that each trainee has unique needs and provide guidance to help you achieve your full potential. The partnership with a network of schools offers a variety of teaching environments, ensuring you get a broad range of experience. Overall, the combination of excellent mentorship and diverse opportunities makes Severn Training Schools Alliance an excellent choice for anyone looking to start or develop their career in education.’ – Cery Wrench

"I am enjoying the course as the staff are supportive and have your interest at heart. They have helped tremendously when I encountered some difficulties at the beginning of the course and kept supporting me along the way. I am ever so grateful (especially to Sam) for all the effort put into creating this welcoming environment, especially as being an EAL student."

"All of the tutors have ben so inspiring, with a true passion for the job. It's great to work within lovely schools and feel very supported. It's a tough year and we've all come with a different history, but everyone's there to help."

"Training with SPP has been a great experience having a range of specialists to support through the process, great mentors to help along the way and access to lots of different learning experiences and settings to really give a great foundation for a career in teaching."

The benefits of the ITAPs programme

There are 4 Intensive Training and Practice (ITaP) experiences which are designed to support trainees understanding of how research and evidence-based teaching theory aligns with delivery and practice in schools. Each experience will focus on a core area of the Initial Teacher Education (ITE) curriculum and trainees will have the opportunity to deepen their knowledge in the area within a practice-based environment.

Key Features

The key features of intensive training and practice involve:

expert input – this would typically include:
- an introduction to the aspect of practice (e.g. questioning, explanations, routine setting, specific behaviour strategies) with an examination and critical analysis of the evidence base underpinning it
- observations of examples (and potentially selected non-examples) in practice via video or live practice
- deconstruction of the preceding two areas of expert input with an attention to the detail that has positive (or sometimes negative) impact
opportunities for trainees to plan and practise ITaP in a low stakes (possibly simulated) environment
opportunities for trainees to practise in a live classroom context
expert feedback on, and critical analysis of, the trainee practice, in both contexts - this should include deconstruction of both positive features and areas for further development
expert feedback that links coherently to the expert input at the beginning of the sequence
opportunities to apply the aspect of practice in the near future and beyond – ideally in multiple contexts and practice situations

This final point is key in considering what good practice looks like. The purpose is to have a positive sustained impact on practice that is transferable to a range of contexts.

How ITaP is different from the rest of the ITT curriculum and school placements

ITaP should focus tightly on specific, foundational, or pivotal areas of the ITT curriculum. It is an opportunity for careful sequencing of content, so that it is clear why each successive focus for ITaP has been chosen, including how it builds on content previously covered and prepares for the next stages in the training programme.

The intensive training and practice element, in which trainees experience a minimum of 4 weeks of ITAP.

The ITAP focus areas are:

Secondary	Lesson design: breaking content down into constituent components	Modelling	Assessment: Questioning	Diagnosing and making specific adaptations to overcome barriers to learning
Primary	Giving Instructions	Teacher Modelling	Dialogue	Assessment: Questioning

Currently, we have 6 primary schools and 2 secondary schools which deliver this training. Associate teachers would be at Chester university for part of the week and 1 ½ days approx. in school with a focus on these areas.

We would love to hear from schools if you feel you have an ITAP area which is a strength of your school and could host associate teachers. Please contact: Julie.marriott1@taw.org.uk

Once again, we would like to thank you all for your continued support with ITT and hosting associate teachers through the autumn and spring term.