Teacher training with Redhill Teaching School Hub

About Us

What we provide:  High-quality primary and secondary teacher training, from Early Years through KS1 & 2, into Secondary and Post-16;  Our programmes lead to Qualified Teacher Status (QTS) and the Post Graduate Certificate in Education (PGCE).

Who we work with: Our programmes are accredited by Inspiring Leaders, a SCITT (School-Centred Initial Teacher Training) rated Outstanding by Ofsted (Feb 2017 & May 2023) based in the East Midlands.

Where we train: Inspiring Leaders partners with secondary and primary schools in Nottingham City, Nottinghamshire, Derbyshire, Leicestershire, Rutland and parts of Lincolnshire.

• Secondary Nottinghamshire and Derbyshire training is held at The Redhill Academy, NG5 8GX
• Primary Nottinghamshire and Derbyshire training is held at Flying High Trust NG9 6RY

Who we train with: Along with several community schools, we partner primarily with

• The Redhill Academy Trust (Secondary Nottinghamshire & Derbyshire)
• Djanogly Learning Trust (Secondary and Primary Nottinghamshire & Derbyshire)
• Discovery Schools Trust (Secondary and Primary Leicestershire & Rutland)
• Flying High Trust (Primary Nottinghamshire & Derbyshire)

Our well established school and Trust partnerships enable us to facilitate training across a wide range of settings and contexts, providing a diverse range of experiences for all our trainees meaning all trainees have the opportunity to experience a range of phases and settings, including Special Schools, Post-16 and Alternative Provision. 

What qualifications are gained: Our programmes lead to both Qualified Teacher Status (QTS) and a Postgraduate Certificate in Education (PGCE). Often the PGCE can be achieved with additional Masters level credits and we work alongside the University of Derby to deliver this aspect of the training programme.

Employment prospects: The significant investment our partner schools make in our training programmes is evident not just in the commitment they make to supporting the training programme but also in their desire to then employ a high proportion of our trainees.  Many of our trainees progress, post graduation, to work in our schools.  As a Teaching School Hub, we are here to support the ongoing development of our trainees wherever possible through the early career phase and into leadership through our teacher development programmes such as the ECF and NPQs.

I am interested - who do I talk to?  If you are considering a career in teaching, talk to us or come to one of our recruitment events. We will be happy to talk to you, get in touch via telephone on 07342 167359, or via email at s.haslam@theredhillacademy.org.uk 

 

Our offer

Our training programmes provide an exceptional level of support, tailored to individual need.  Our training is delivered by expert teachers and leaders who are actively working in our partner schools. Every trainee benefits from continuous guidance and advice from a fully trained subject mentor, their own individual professional tutor and highly experienced course leaders.

What are the key features of a SCITT route to teacher training: Our courses carefully blend significant hands-on teaching experience in our schools with extensive professional training which facilitates rapid and effective development of the knowledge and skills you will need to be an high performing teacher.  The critical thinking and theory, so important for understanding key teaching and learning principles, is carefully designed and timed to sit alongside regular opportunities to practise and perfect the skills that evidence and experience tell us are needed to thrive in the classroom.  It is this purposeful and explicit meshing of theory and practice, the continuous expert feedback and timely target setting which prove so effective in our training.  Our trainees are carefully supported from day 1 to their last day in their placement school to be the best teacher they can be - preparing and practising these skills on a day-to-day under the watchful eye of a mentor is what appeals to those keen to pursue a SCITT route to teacher training.

Where will this lead: Our years of experience in delivering effective training both in and out of the classroom have resulted in the majority of our former trainees establishing longstanding, outstanding careers in education, with many progressing into leadership roles in our partner and other schools.

 

Why I Teach

Redhill History teacher, Jake Athorn, explains why he decided to become a teacher, the opportunities for progression and what advice he would give to anyone considering a career in teaching.

 

​

What does the SCITT route look like?

School-based training options are ideal for graduates who want immediate hands-on experience in the classroom, alongside the in-depth focus on theory and research. You can read below an account from one of our secondary trainees describing what the training looked and felt like from their perspective:

Some of our secondary programme graduates 2021

"I started in my main placement school in September and was immediately made to feel very welcome and part of the team.  On Mondays and Fridays we were at the training sessions but the rest of the time I was in school.  I started gradually, dipping my toe in the water with with isolated activities such as starters or plenaries, building to a full lesson in week 3, then gradually taking over the class by half term.  By Christmas I was teaching 6 lessons per week and we were only in training on a Friday, so in school 4 days per week, then I went to my second placement school for 6 weeks.  This was a great opportunity to practise what I had learnt in the autumn term but in a new setting.  After February half term I was back at my main placement school and regularly teaching my three KS3 classes and one KS4 class with one regular sixth form observation and doing a bit of team teaching there to gain KS5 experience - this amounted to around 12 lessons per week by Easter.  In the summer term we gradually upped my teaching to 16 hours per week by the end of the summer term and the training on a Friday stopped at May half term so I was in school full time.  It was a lot alongside the PGCE, but I was supported throughout, and we only ever increased my teaching when both I and my mentor felt it was right.  All in all, I would say it was carefully managed and well planned out and I now feel really confident in my planning and delivery and I have a really strong idea of what I need to work on in my Early Career phase."  (Maths trainee 2022/23)

 

What are the benefits of a school based ITT route:

• The opportunity to build meaningful relationships with staff and students over the course of the year.     

"I felt like a teacher who occasionally pretended to be a student, rather than a student who was pretending to be a teacher" (English trainee 2023/24)

• The collegiality across the cohort of trainees - many of our trainees stay in touch with each other for many years after the training.                                                                                                                                 

"We all look forward to the training days and being together - I have genuinely made friends for life on this course." (Drama trainee 2023/24)

• The access to a wealth of support from the lead school / SCITT team.                                                           

"The course leaders are knowledgeable and approachable, they are quite simply the backbone of the programme - you can go to them for anything at any time" (Geography trainee 2023/24)

• The extensive practical experience which prepares trainees thoroughly for the start of a career in teaching.