Trainees
What our trainees say
Peter Jackson
I used to be a self-employed caterer and was taking an English degree in Truro. The Cornwall SCITT office was close by so it seemed a convenient and logical step. The training provided me with excellent mentors and four of us formed a support group which was invaluable. It also made the transition from trainee to teacher easy. The biggest impact on me was developing skills as a reflective practitioner. The obvious challenges were trying to learn how to teach, what to teach, maintaining discipline and completing a series of essays.
At present I have been in this post for 5 years. I teach English and Drama up to GCSE, I also help pupils develop functional skills, I assist the Head of Year 10 in pastoral duties and I am a form tutor.
In the future I want to stay in the classroom for as long as possible – that’s what I signed up for! If you want to teach try it first. I did the Student Associate Scheme which was invaluable. The best bit of teaching – kids!!
What our trainees say
Suzanne Green
At university I did a degree in Mining Engineering and then completed post-graduate research into coastal erosion. Choosing Cornwall SCITT was easy. I wanted to stay in Cornwall and I loved the fact that it was school centred training.
The year’s training gave me excellent preparation, experience and qualifications to be able to get a teaching job in Cornwall. I have recently stepped back from being Head of Department and now I teach Maths.
The best bit of teaching for me is seeing pupils succeed, grow and mature over the time you have taught them. If you are going into teaching get some in-school time at least two weeks before you start the course!
What our trainees say
Di Stevens
I was 39 when I started SCITT after completing my degree through the Open University over six years whilst working. This was a BA Hons in Humanities with English and Literature (1st class). I left school at 16, went to college to do a secretarial course and then worked in secretarial and sales jobs at companies such as TNT Parcel Express, Lloyds bank TSB, a firm of solicitors and a building company where I managed the site office. Although I have children I never really stopped working!
Cornwall SCITT was an easy choice for me because I had no intention of moving away from Cornwall and this was the only way I could do a PGCE and stay at home. I really liked the balance of the training. I liked the fact that we were in school from the beginning whilst getting the academic input in college and with our subject leader. We learned the theory and the practice at the same time. We were allowed to develop at our own pace and there was a lot of local support available. The year is hard work but your mentors make sure that you develop at your own pace because they get to know you well. This means that you can push ahead if you want to or wait until your confidence is strong. My abilities to reflect on my own progress and practice developed massively and I began to see that there was good potential for career development not just classroom teaching.
In September 2005 I was lucky enough to start my teaching career at The Roseland School where I taught English and Drama. Within 18 months I had been promoted to Co-ordinator of PSHE, Citizenship and Careers. In the Summer of 2009 I was also appointed Student Team Leader of Year 8. More recently I have been promoted to Leader of Learning for the Lower School, with responsibility for Years 7, 8 and 9. This added responsibility is also part of the extended Leadership Team. I would really like to become an Assistant Head with Pastoral responsibility and I would eventually like to end my career as a Headteacher.
In my opinion the best bit of teaching is the relationships you build with students. I am an enthusiastic classroom teacher and this transfers to my students. There’s nothing like the moment when a student ‘gets’ what you are talking about and you see the light bulb go on. It is hard work but it is the most rewarding job I have ever had. You really feel as if you are making a difference.
What our trainees say
Claire Meakin
I completed my Maths degree at Manchester University and during my last year there I was looking at PGCE courses across the country. Cornwall SCITT had a nice website and was obviously in a nice part of the country. After meeting Alison at my interview I knew I would do well here!
The strength of the training programme lies in the amount of support I received from the programme staff, my subject leader and mentors. The training gave me experience in two very different local schools which in turn helped me to become ‘known’ which definitely helped me find a job in Cornwall. I think a real advantage of the course was being in the classroom by the second week of the training which helped make sense of the theory right from the start.
The biggest challenge for me was time management. There is always more that could be done so it’s important to have people to insist you keep the work/life balance.
Since finishing my training I have taught for 4 years at Penair School in Truro and in January 2009 I was successful in my application for Head of Mathematics at Pool School.
I think the best bit of teaching, for me, is knowing that pupils leave school with better numeracy skills because of my teaching and they may have even enjoyed the journey!
What our trainees say
Rowan Taylor
I studied languages at university completing my degree in French and Spanish at Exeter. I then had a year out in South America to improve my Spanish and to work with children. On my return I worked as a TA in a secondary school to get experience of working in the classroom knowing I would begin teacher training soon after.
I was brought up in Cornwall and after a few years away I fancied coming home. I chose Cornwall SCITT because I heard that it was a good course and liked the fact that there was a lot of time spent in school. I also had excellent support from my mentors and my subject leader. I liked the contact with other SCITT students, the amount of contact time in schools and being encouraged to teach full lessons as soon as possible.
The course at Cornwall SCITT really gave me the confidence to teach and it prepared me fully for the job. Working in different schools with different teachers really helped me build a range of strategies, ideas and techniques.
At present I am in my 4th year of teaching at Newquay Tretherras where I teach French and Spanish across the ability range in Key Stage 3 and 4 and I also teach some Key Stage 5. I am also responsible for teaching French and Spanish in local primary schools and I am a form tutor.
If you intend to train as a teacher be prepared to put in a lot of hours. Don’t hesitate in getting stuck into teaching full lessons and taking on new classes. The best learning experience comes from doing it!
