Struggling to Choose your ITT Provider?
Choosing the right ITT provider is an important step in your teaching journey. In this blog, we explore what to look for in a training provider and explain how John Taylor SCITT’s school-centred approach, expert-led curriculum and personalised support help trainees build successful, rewarding teaching careers.
Potential Over Polish: What We Really Look for in Future Teachers
What makes someone stand out at a teacher training interview? According to JTSCITT Director Mike Simmons, it’s not having all the right answers. Drawing on more than a decade of interviewing future teachers, Mike shares why curiosity, humility and a willingness to learn matter far more than perfection.
My Journey into Teaching: Ten Years in the Making
After ten years of balancing work, family life, university and a global pandemic,Gemma reflects on her journey into teaching. From volunteering in a primary school to completing her teacher training, this blog shows that there is no single route into the profession – and that with determination and the right support, it’s never too late to achieve your goal.
Living Close to School or Commuting? Finding the Right Balance as a Teacher
Is it better for teachers to live close to school or have a daily commute? While living nearby offers convenience and flexibility, a short commute can provide valuable time to decompress and maintain healthy work-life boundaries. This article explores the advantages and challenges of both approaches, helping trainee and early career teachers find the balance that best supports their wellbeing and professional success.
“I Didn’t Always Want to Teach” – My Journey into the Classroom
Teaching wasn’t always part of Stuart’s plan. Before joining JTSCITT, he worked as a Distribution Supervisor and never imagined himself in an academic profession. In this honest first-person blog, Stuart shares how a desire for more meaningful relationships and greater purpose led him into the classroom – and why the skills he thought would hold him back actually became his biggest strengths as a teacher.
Everyone Welcome. Every Journey Valued.
This blog explores John Taylor SCITT’s commitment to inclusion through its Inclusive Pathway, designed to support trainee teachers from all backgrounds. It outlines how tailored support, barrier-free access and strong partnerships help ensure every trainee feels valued, belongs, and is equipped to succeed in achieving QTS and beyond.
How We Assess Trainee Teachers at The John Taylor SCITT
This blog explains how The John Taylor SCITT assesses trainee teachers through a structured, year-long process that combines regular feedback, evidence-based evaluation and expert support. It highlights how trainees develop over time, how progress is measured against the Teachers’ Standards, and how rigorous quality assurance ensures every trainee is fully prepared for Qualified Teacher Status.
The Final Stretch: Making the Most of Your Last Placement
As your training year draws to a close, your final placement is a valuable opportunity to consolidate your skills and step confidently into the classroom. In this blog, JTSCITT staff share practical advice on staying motivated, seeking feedback, and making the most of your last term as you prepare for your teaching career.
Moving into Second Placement: A Trainee Reflection.
Moving from a first to a second teaching placement can be both exciting and challenging. This reflection explores the adjustments, learning curves, and growing confidence that come with experiencing a new school environment during initial teacher training.
Reflections After My First Term on the 3–7 Early Years Route
A trainee on the 3–7 Early Years route shares reflections after their first term, offering insight into workload, mentor support, work–life balance and the social side of SCITT life. An honest look at what to expect from Early Years teacher training.
