Blog.
Our Train to Teach Blog is an insight into behind the scenes of The John Taylor SCITT and is written by various members of the Teaching School team!
Shaping Exceptional Educators: The JTSCITT Difference
One of our John Taylor SCITT partners, Brenda Parker, shares her valuable insights on what makes JTSCITT trainee teachers stand out from the rest.
The Journey to Teaching: How Our 2024/2025 Trainees Navigated The Application Process
We spoke to some of our 2024/2025 trainees about how they have found their first term. They share their experiences, highlights and advice for future trainees.
Reflections from the Classroom: How Our 2024/2025 Trainees Have Found Their First Term
Some of our 2024/2025 cohort shared more about how they found the application process for the JTSCITT. They share what attracted them to the SCITT, their experiences and some useful advice for future trainees.
Progression in Teaching: How John Taylor SCITT Prepares You for Career Growth
At John Taylor SCITT, we equip trainees with the skills and confidence to excel in teaching. Our comprehensive training ensures graduates transition smoothly and stand out to employers, often leading to faster career progression. Take Helena, a distinguished alumna, who attributes her rapid advancement to her training at JTSCITT. In this blog, we’ll explore how the SCITT helped her progress quickly.
Support, Mentorship & Community at the John Taylor SCITT
At John Taylor SCITT, we believe that successful teachers thrive not only through comprehensive training but also with ongoing support from a strong network of educators and mentors. We spoke with Katie, an accomplished alumna, about her experience at SCITT and how the support she received has shaped her career. Her reflections highlight the lasting impact of mentorship and community within JTSCITT.
Advice from Our Alumni
Starting a new career in teaching can be intimidating. At JTSCITT, we aim to create a welcoming and supportive environment from the application process onward, though we understand it can still feel daunting. To help ease your concerns, we gathered insights and advice from our alumni, who have successfully navigated the process and are thriving in their teaching careers.
Discover Why The John Taylor SCITT is a Top Choice: Plus, Insights from Our 2023/2024 Graduates
We sat down with our 2023/2024 graduates and discussed why they decided to complete their teacher training with us. We pride ourselves on being a top choice for aspiring teachers seeking a comprehensive teacher training programme.
Building a Strong Community
Creating a strong sense of community is essential for any successful learning environment; training to teach is not always an easy task, which is why we prioritise fostering a friendly and supportive environment here at The John Taylor SCITT. Mike Simmons, Secondary Lead discusses how it’s achieved at the JTSCITT
Teacher Training Myths
It can seem like there are many barriers which may prevent people from pursuing teacher training. Read through the common myths vs realities with our Secondary Lead, Mike Simmons.
First Day Nerves
As a teacher training leader, I’ve had the privilege of guiding over 400 aspiring educators on their journey to becoming teachers. Each year, a new cohort of trainees arrives with a mix of excitement and nervousness, eager to embark on a transformative path. But this year was different. This year, my own son was starting school on the very same day.
Teaching English: Reflections of a Trainee’s Journey into the Classroom
Becoming a teacher through the SCITT has been overwhelmingly positive, filled with support and invaluable experience. The guidance and growth opportunities I encountered throughout my training have been pivotal in shaping my career trajectory.
First Term as a Trainee Teacher
Whether you are fresh out of education, or on a new career path, your first term as a trainee teacher will be an exciting one. Read more about the journey here.
Applying to Become a Teacher
Applying to Become a Teacher John Taylor SCITT trainee, Megan Snell, talks about her application process when applying for the Primary Programme. Megan offers advice
The Whole School Training, The Department Meetings and The Staff Room
The Whole School Training, The Department Meetings and The Staff Room Applications for the John Taylor SCITT cohort of trainee teachers for 2023/24 opened this
Isostatic Rebound: Initial Teacher Education in the Post-Lockdown Landscape
Isostatic Rebound: Initial Teacher Education in the Post-Lockdown Landscape The world is constantly evolving and consequently the social and cultural challenges that education faces is
50* Not Out – Raising the bat and the bar
Interviewing for an initial teacher training (ITT) position is potentially a nerve-wracking experience for all.
Warp, Weft and the Golden Threads – Designing our ITE Curriculum
With changes to the ITE Core Content and Ofsted Inspection framework the John Taylor SCITT Central Team across both the primary and secondary routes set about re-designing our course.
From Sports Coach to Trainee Primary Teacher
From Sports Coach to Trainee Primary Teacher “Miss” “Where’s Miss” “No, you” “Me? I’m not a Miss, I am a Mr, Mr Jeffery” “Oh, Mr
Reflection on my Year as a Trainee Teacher
So I’m currently sat on a flight from Krakow to Birmingham, after an emotionally charged day visit to Auschwitz, reflecting on the messages Rabbi Epstein shared with us.
A Change of Career
A Change of Career It’s funny. This whole experience so far has been both the most enjoyable thing I have done but also the most
Tackling the First Term as a Trainee Teacher
Tackling the First Term as a Trainee Teacher “Miss.” “Miss Pickerill?” It takes a minute but my brain finally engages and I realise that the
Top 5 Tips for Bossing your First Term as a Trainee Teacher
Top 5 Tips for Bossing your First Term as a Trainee Teacher As my first term as a trainee teacher has come to an end,
Perceptions Vs. Reality
Perceptions Vs. Reality Teachers finish work at 3pm. Teachers are always on holiday. Teaching is easy and anyone can do it. How many of these
A Step by Step Survival Guide to Teacher Training
A Step by Step Survival Guide to Teacher Training I swapped with a fellow trainee to write about how to survive being a trainee teacher
Delving Deeper
Delving Deeper Never underestimate the power of clay… I did! I have come from a digital background; my practice consists of working with multiple screen
CDP is Key
CDP is Key! As PE teachers, Teacher standard 1a can often take on a new meaning, as some of the activities we teach can be
Aspiring To Senior Leadership: The Good, The Bad and The Ugly
So many of those in middle leadership, will at some point aspire to be on Senior Leadership; it’s the natural progression and order of a school route.
Getting to the Bottom of the Mountain
We all get to the bottom of the mountain at the end of the day, it doesn’t matter what route you’ve taken.
What if it were my classroom
What if it were my classroom… It’s green. Not just any shade of green. A juicy shade of green that you only want to imagine
How to Organise the Unorganised
How to Organise the Unorganised It’s 7:30pm on a Sunday, I’ve just finished my roast dinner with my family and the busy week I have
Resilience, Reflection & Perspective
Over the last couple of weeks in the National Forest Teaching School we set the trainees a task of writing a short 350+ word reflective blog on an area of their choice but closely aligned to their current emerging professional practice.
The Modelling, Mentoring and Coaching Paradigm
Within the National Forest Teaching School Initial Teacher Education (ITE) provision we want our trainee teachers to be supported by a range of practitioners that can utilise a wealth of experience and to move interchangeably between mentoring and coaching to aid in the development of their emerging professional practice.
NQT Conference December 2018
On the 7th December we were pleased to welcome over 40 NQTs from 17 schools across the National Forest Teaching School Alliance to our NQT Conference.
Mentoring Moments
Effective mentoring takes time and the results may not be immediate or obvious.
First Half Term Done
First Half Term Done Wow – what a whirlwind! Now where to start. It feels like it was only yesterday that I walked through the
The “Little Simba” Moments
Many of us will know the story of the Lion King. The tale of a young lion overcoming personal challenges, making new friends and finding his own way through his journey.
Week One – Induction
Week One – Induction It’s been 10 months since I started seriously considering a move into a career in teaching, and eight since I was
