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Progression in Teaching: How John Taylor SCITT Prepares You for Career Growth

At the John Taylor SCITT, we are dedicated to equipping our trainees with the skills and confidence they need to succeed in the teaching profession. By providing a well-rounded training experience, we ensure that our graduates not only transition smoothly into their roles but also stand out to their employers from day one. This thorough preparation often translates into faster career progression compared to their peers.

Take Helena, one of our distinguished alumni, for example. She credits her training at the JTSCITT with her quick progression, providing her with valuable opportunities that set her apart from others in the field. In this blog, we’ll explore why Helena believes the SCITT helped her progress quickly.

Helena Pickerill

Meet Helena

Helena is one of our accomplished alumni who trained with us from 2019 to 2020, specialising in Secondary English Education. Since graduating, she has quickly progressed in her career, starting as an English teacher and quickly earning a promotion after 18 months to KS4 English Language Coordinator. Following this, she took on the role of KS4 English Literature Coordinator.

Alongside her teaching roles, Helena has actively contributed as a voluntary Head of House and was entrusted with a school-wide role in Pupil Leadership. Since September 2024, Helena has held the position of Head of English; Helena has achieved all of this within the same school where she initially trained with us.

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How Being A JTSCITT Graduate Will Boost Your Career Progression

We spoke to Helena about her experience of the JTSCITT and her career since. She shared that she feels the SCITT has helped her progress quickly in her career. Below we share some of her thoughts and discuss how our training at the SCITT helps our graduates career progression.
  • High Expectations, High Results

“The SCITT program expects a lot from its trainees but also delivers a really high level of training, far higher than I have seen from other providers. I believe that the teachers that the SCITT produces are skilled, motivated and aspirational people and I know that many of them have gone on to get leadership positions within teaching.”

We push our trainees to be their best, but we also provide them with the skills, knowledge and support they need to be able to be their best. We produce graduates who are extremely effective teachers that are confident in their own ability, ready to make a difference in their students’ lives from day one.

  • Prioritising Real-World Experiences

“As the majority of our week was spent within a school, we could see the true demands of the role which go beyond just teaching lessons. It showed me more of the administrative side of teaching but also the pastoral side.”

We believe that hands-on experience is the key to building confidence and competence in teaching. By spending extensive time in the classroom, our trainees are fully prepared for the realities of the job, including managing their workload and navigating both the administrative and pastoral aspects of education.

  • Encouragement To Take New Opportunities

“The way the SCITT gets you to absorb school life meant that I had experiences in my training year that most people would never get. This is also something that has really benefitted me. Sometimes being open to an opportunity makes you realise it is a path you don’t want to take but sometimes it means you really find something you enjoy.”

Teaching is about much more than being in the classroom, although this is clearly a big part. There are numerous opportunities to explore within the profession, and we encourage our trainees to embrace these during their time with us and beyond as they progress in their careers. Whether you discover a new passion or realise a certain path isn’t for you, these experiences help broaden your understanding of the teaching profession.

  • Our Reputation

“I believe that the SCITT helped me because it made me stand apart from other teachers. The JTSCITT has a great reputation so I believe it has opened doors for me because I have been associated with it. […] I have always wanted to progress in my career and I believe having my teaching qualification be linked to the JTSCITT has given me opportunities I may not have had. I know being Head of English after 5 years of teaching is quite rare but I think the SCITT was a big part of me having the skills and knowledge to take on the role.”

The John Taylor MAT is known for its high-quality teaching – being part of the MAT means that people trust us to deliver well-trained graduates with the necessary skills, knowledge and attitude to succeed as a teacher. Due to our graduates beginning their careers as developed, well-rounded professionals, employers are more likely to offer progression opportunities earlier on in their careers and our graduates are prepared to take on these additional responsibilities.

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In Conclusion

At the John Taylor SCITT, we are committed to not only preparing you for your first teaching role but also helping you to achieve the career progression you’re after. Whether your goal is to be an outstanding classroom teacher, a department head, or to take on wider leadership responsibilities, our comprehensive training program equips you with the knowledge, skills, and confidence to succeed at every stage.

Helena’s journey is just one example of how our graduates have gone on to achieve quick career progression, making a lasting impact in their schools and beyond. Like Helena, you will leave our program with the solid foundation needed to excel in the classroom, stand out to employers, and embrace new opportunities. Whatever your aspirations, we’re here to help you achieve them.

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