School Centred Initial Teacher Training (SCITT)

Over the past few years, we have developed a proven track record of successfully mentoring student teachers through to qualified teacher status (QTS) via school-based training routes.

Each year, we appoint enthusiastic graduates as teaching assistants, usually for one year, so that they can gain the experience required to apply for and tackle the challenging one year school-based programme to achieve QTS. There is also an option to include a PGCE award in the training programme.

Having successfully completed a period as a teaching assistant and after a successful interview process to be accepted onto a course, student teachers are placed in a class with an experienced teacher who guides them through every aspect of the course. As the year progresses, students are provided with a second placement in an alternative key stage meaning they gain experience across the primary age range: there are also opportunities to make observations in a nursery and special school setting to really broaden the experience. We work closely with trusted local schools to provide high quality placements.

If you are a graduate interested in securing a graduate teaching assistant role with a view to moving onto teacher training, please contact us to ask for further information.

Deanesfield - Working in Partnership with Higher Education Establishments

Deanesfield has a long tradition of mentoring initial teacher training students and works closely with several higher education institutions to provide high quality, school-based experiences. We currently work with St Mary's University, Twickenham; London South Bank University; Brunel University, Middlesex University, Roehampton Institute and the UCL Institute of Education, mentoring students through their teaching practices.

We were delighted to receive the following, very positive feedback on our work from a tutor at the UCL Institute of Education:

"I just wanted to thank you and your staff for supporting our students so well and for the hospitality I was shown.
The two students I visited are clearly in good hands and I look forward to visiting on 22nd.

I also wanted to say what a lovely feeling your school has - both the physical environment and the children and staff. All in all our students are very lucky to find themselves with you."