We know that choosing your ITT provider can feel like a high decision – in this blog, JTSCITT Director, Mike Simmons, breaks down why we might be the best fit for you as you begin your journey into teaching.
We understand that every trainee’s journey is different. That’s why we take the time to get to know our trainees as individuals, celebrating successes, providing guidance when challenges arise, and ensuring that support is always available when it’s needed.
Our dedicated team works closely with mentors and schools throughout the year to create a positive and supportive training experience that helps trainees grow both professionally and personally. Within the primary programme you have a dedicated programme leader as well as support from your primary specialist mentor. The secondary programme has a dedicated programme lead also that oversees all that you do and of course the instrumental Subject Pedagogy Tutors who lead your development on a Friday afternoon where they teach you how to teach your subject!
The strength of any training programme lies in the people delivering it.
At John Taylor SCITT, trainees benefit from the expertise of experienced teachers, specialist practitioners, school leaders, and subject experts who bring a wealth of knowledge and practical insight to every training session. Our close collaboration with the Staffordshire Research School and The John Taylor Teaching School Hub ensure that we are at the forefront of educational theory and evidence informed education.
Their experience helps trainees bridge the gap between educational theory and classroom practice, ensuring that learning remains purposeful, relevant, and impactful. Our central team is relatively small for the size of provider that we are but we ensure that the facilitators on the programme are genuine experts in the session they are delivering to trainees. They are all outstanding classroom practitioners in their own right and many will also have significant postholder responsibilities both at school and a wider local or national level.
Teaching is a profession built on collaboration, and we place great importance on creating a strong sense of community.
Throughout the programme, trainees become part of a supportive network of peers, mentors, trainers, and school colleagues. These professional relationships provide encouragement, challenge, and inspiration throughout the training year and often continue long after qualification.
Many former trainees remain closely connected to the partnership, contributing to schools across the region and supporting the development of future generations of teachers. As the Director of The John Taylor SCITT, I absolutely love it when we get to welcome former trainees back as mentors, specialist staff and our SCITT central staff.
We see teacher training as the first stage of a much longer professional journey.
Our aim is not simply to help trainees qualify, but to help them become confident, knowledgeable, and resilient teachers who are well prepared for the opportunities and challenges of the profession.
The combination of high-quality school experiences, expert training, personalised support, and a strong professional network provides an excellent foundation for a successful teaching career. Similarly, we often get the chance to welcome The John Taylor SCITT Alumni back to the training centre as they continue with their ECTP training or NPQ that is offered by The John Taylor Teaching School Hub.
Prospective trainees often tell us they are looking for a programme that offers excellent support, meaningful school experiences, expert guidance, and a genuine sense of belonging.
At John Taylor SCITT, these principles sit at the heart of everything we do.
We are proud of the training we provide, proud of the partnerships we have built, and proud of the many teachers who have begun their careers with us. For those considering a future in teaching, John Taylor SCITT offers the opportunity to train in a supportive, ambitious, and highly professional environment where trainees are encouraged to thrive from day one.
Since we started tracking in 2023 our offer to acceptance rate has been 80+% in both our Primary and Secondary programmes and after guiding over 450 trainee teachers to the Award of QTS since 2016 we know that trainees don’t regret their decision to train with us here at The John Taylor SCITT.
Still not sure? Reach out to us at The John Taylor SCITT and we will be happy to talk through your options!
Choosing the right ITT provider is a big decision, and it’s important to find a programme that feels like the right fit for you. If you’d like to explore the subjects we offer, learn more about our training programme, or chat through your options, we’re here to help.
Browse our available subjects or get in touch with our team for an informal conversation. We’d be delighted to answer your questions and help you take the first step towards a rewarding career in teaching.
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