Case Studies

My Background

I have always worked within the childcare profession. I started working in pre-schools and went on to work for a government scheme, supporting children with SEND in mainstream schools. I studied a foundation degree in Early Years Education, met my husband and moved to Cyprus. There, I worked in an international school teaching Reception year and had two children of my own. I moved back to England and got a job as an LSA in an infant school. When my youngest started school, I did a top up to my foundation degree to gain a BA honours in Childhood Studies, with the intention of doing my teacher training.

Why I wanted to teach

I had always thought about teaching, but initially, I didn’t have the confidence to do a degree. When I worked in a school in Cyprus, I knew that school was where I belonged! When I returned to England, I wanted to gain experience as an LSA, and doing this confirmed that teaching was the job for me! I waited until my own children were settled at school before I went back to university and on to do teacher training.

Training

I looked at all the different routes into teaching, but I felt excited about the SCITT route because it was hands on experience from the start. The training started at the end of August and it eased us in with a week’s induction, with lots of opportunities to get to know all the other students and settle in. I have a school mentor and a SCITT mentor who are both extremely supportive. Choosing the Solent SCITT route into teaching was absolutely the best decision for me.

Future aspirations

I am so excited to get my own class and I feel confident that I am leaving the course as a great teacher. I have gained so much confidence in my teaching ability throughout the course and now I can’t wait to get started.

My Background

My degree is in Graphic Design and my previous careers involved creativity and teaching children. Training to be a qualified Primary teacher enables me to overlap and fuse these and develop my own teaching style.

Why I wanted to teach

After feeling unsatisfied in other jobs, I wanted a career which gave me a real purpose every day. Children are fantastic critics; they keep you on your toes, and the role is constantly evolving.

Training

I know that SCITT training was definitely the right approach for me; being able to apply your training to see its impact, and then reflect and adjust your planning accordingly on a day to day basis is just invaluable. Having such instant feedback really maximises your progression and boosts your skills and confidence.

Future aspirations

I am about to start applying for jobs, which will be an exciting journey. Longer term I am interested in how I can adapt my practice to use my creative skills for maximum benefit to the children.

My Background

I have a degree in Contemporary Dance from Chichester University. I graduated and moved to London to pursue a career in dance, however, I found that I wanted more from life than standing in a queue waiting to audition every day. So, I came back home and saw an advert for a learning support assistant at a local SEN provision. I had some experience from my dance background teaching children with SEN but didn't think they would choose me for the role. Much to my surprise, I got the job and loved every single moment of it during my four years there. I loved it so much and wanted to give back to the community that had taught me so much, so I investigated teacher training and ended up here at The Solent SCITT.

Why I wanted to teach

I have taught dance to many young people for years now and always found it therapeutic, but after experiencing the world through an SEN lens, I knew that teaching was exactly what I was meant to be doing and should have been doing a long time ago. I want to be able to inspire and motivate young people, I want them to always see that there is someone fighting their corner, for them to be the best version of themselves they can be because that is what they have taught me!

Training

Training at The SCITT has been a breath of fresh air. I have met many other like-minded people who share the same passion for teaching as I do. I have met lots of professionals who are currently working in education who have provided some priceless guidance and information that has helped me through my training journey. I have never been surer of wanting to teach and that is through the support and help of all the team at The Solent SCITT and the cohort I have been lucky enough to share the training with.

Future aspirations

I would like to become a headteacher one day but in the short term I want to be able to be the best teaching practitioner I can be and give something back to all the wonderful children who inspired me to start this journey.

My Background

I have taken a slightly unconventional path into teaching science. When I was at school, I had two passions – science and dance. This led me to follow both subjects through at college before applying to study Biomedical Science at university and also musical theatre at a specialist performing arts centre. I was lucky enough to receive a scholarship to a performing arts college and I have since achieved a first class honours degree in Music and Musical Theatre. I spent time working as a dancer and performing in shows, however, I couldn’t deny my love of teaching.

Why I wanted to teach

I wanted to teach to inspire the young minds of the future, I remember teachers from school who made subjects interesting and exciting and made me feel that anything is achievable, and I hope to impart that feeling among students I teach.

Training

My experience with The Solent SCITT has been fantastic. Being in school from day one has really helped to build my confidence, whilst training sessions gave me the opportunity to develop my teaching strategies. The SCITT tutors offer so much support and are always on hand with advice - nothing is ever too much trouble. I am so grateful to the SCITT for everything they have done in helping me achieve my dream job.

Future aspirations

The training I have received has enlightened me to the ways to support students with special educational needs in mainstream education. I have been constantly inspired by the resilience of these students and also how much they gain from being in a mainstream setting. This has sparked a curiosity for me to explore SEN in more detail and therefore I hope to pursue a master's in this area. But first, I want to ensure I am constantly developing and growing into a better teacher.

My Background

I have an undergraduate degree in International Wildlife Biology and a master’s degree in Global Wildlife Health and Conservation. I have previously worked as an ecological surveyor, surveying for invasive species in and around London. As part of this role I worked closely with members of the public, educating them on the species being surveyed – this was my favourite part of the job. It broke up the days and I loved encouraging the curiosity of young people and answering all the weird and wonderful questions the children came up with! This is when I started thinking about teaching.

Why I wanted to teach

Before I started teacher training, I worked for a large retail outlet. The job kept me busy, but I didn’t feel passionate about what I was doing or have any sense of accomplishment at the end of the day. I wanted a job which I knew, with confidence, was having some form of positive impact. In teaching you can see the positive contributions you’re making to children’s lives in real time. I knew that choosing this career would mean that no matter how hard the day, I could always leave work knowing that what I had done that day was worthwhile.

Training

I am a very academically minded person, so before any interviews for teacher training, I was convinced I would be choosing a university-led course. But my interview at The Solent SCITT completely changed my mind. My interview process was friendly, welcoming and above all my mind at ease that I would always get the support I would need when completing the course. This has been proven over and over again since September, with my mentor routinely checking to ensure I am ok and always willing to provide help, from lesson planning to taking the time on her days off to provide guidance with important decisions such as accepting a job offer for my NQT year. Everyone on the team goes out of their way to ensure that training is as smooth as it can be, and trainee welfare is always a priority.

Future aspirations

At the moment, my future aspirations are simply to be the best teacher I can be. I know I still have a lot learn, so I plan to focus on enhancing my teaching practice and ensuring that I am helping the students in the best way I possibly can over the coming years.

My Background

I’ve spent the last 20 years in the Royal Air Force. During this time, I have been deployed on operational duty into military field hospitals as a Biomedical Scientist, focusing on blood transfusion and clinical microbiology. I obtained a BSc and MSc in Biomedical Science over this period. I chose to leave in order to remain with my family in East Hampshire

Why I wanted to teach

Seeing the look in a student’s eye when they understand, especially in Science, is an immensely gratifying feeling.

Training

Being able to train in a safe and personal environment is really good - as one of only 30 student teachers there are many opportunities for 1-to-1 if and when required. There is an excellent mix of practical and theoretical training within the course. One of the best parts is the ability to start within the school environment before the students return. This helps the process, ensuring I felt part of the teaching staff.

Future aspirations

Whilst still undertaking the SCITT course, I have accepted an NQT job at The Petersfield School starting in September 2019. This will provide me ample opportunity to progress my teaching skills and knowledge in order to provide the very best for the students.

Quote on the training

Being able to undertake Teacher Training with The Solent SCITT offers a unique and safe environment to learn on the job. With students from a plethora of backgrounds, The Solent SCITT provides the ideal opportunity to train in different school placements, with taught aspects of the course provided in small, close-knit groups.