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Our Courses

Our approach to Teacher Training

At Five Counties SCITT, we believe the best way to learn to teach is by doing it – with support, structure and inspiration along the way. Our school-centred teacher training is built around real classroom experience, personalised mentorship, and weekly training sessions with expert educators. Whether you’re training to teach in a primary or secondary school, our programme combines practical, hands-on experience with the academic and professional insight you’ll need to thrive in the classroom.

Learn on the job 
in real classrooms

From the very start of your training year, you’ll be based in schools across our local network – including Bristol, South Gloucestershire, Bath and North East Somerset, North Somerset, Somerset and occasionally Gloucestershire and Wiltshire. You'll complete two placements in different settings, allowing you to gain insight into how a range of schools operate.

We gradually build your teaching confidence and responsibilities across the year. At first, you'll observe and support small groups, before progressing to teaching individual lessons, sequences of learning, and finally taking full responsibility for classes. By the end of the programme, you’ll be leading learning with confidence and clarity – equipped to step into your first teaching role.

Guided by expert mentors and leaders

You’ll never be on your own. Every trainee is paired with a trained mentor who offers weekly support, feedback and developmental conversations. Your mentor works closely with a lead mentor in school, who ensures your progress stays on track and aligns with the wider SCITT curriculum.

This personalised network of support means you’ll receive clear, consistent guidance throughout your journey. From lesson planning to classroom management, your mentors are there to celebrate successes, offer constructive challenge, and help you grow into a confident, reflective professional.


I feel well supported by the staff members at the Institute and mentors at schools throughout the year.

Mentor support

Regular feedback

Personalised guidance

Supportive experts

Curriculum alignment

How our Teacher Training 
is structured

A comprehensive blend of experiences to build confident, evidence-informed teachers.

Centre-Based learning

Start by building strong foundations in teaching through expert-led sessions that blend theory with real-life classroom practice. These sessions include modelling, rehearsal, and reflective activities to help you understand what effective teaching looks like and how to apply it confidently.

Subject study

Dive deep into your subject and discover how to teach it in a way that excites and inspires learners. With support from subject specialists, you’ll explore curriculum progression, student development, and high-impact teaching strategies tailored to your age range and phase.

Professional dialouge

Engage in ongoing conversations with mentors and education experts to reflect on your progress and identify areas for growth. These supportive discussions help you become more proactive, self-aware, and confident in your developing practice.

School-Based learning

Most of your training takes place in school settings, where you can apply your learning in real-time. With the guidance of experienced mentors, you’ll develop practical skills, grow in confidence, and begin to shape your unique teaching style.

Directed & independent study

Work through targeted tasks designed to link what you learn in training sessions with what happens in the classroom. Whether it’s a self-led project or a mentor-guided activity, these opportunities help you connect theory to practice and build your independence as a learner.

Reading & research

Explore a wide range of evidence-informed materials to support your development and academic progress. This reading forms a core part of your PGCE and equips you with the critical understanding needed to make informed decisions in the classroom.

Module design

The Five Counties SCITT curriculum integrates learning about educational theory and cognitive research with classroom-based practice and application. We have developed an interleaved and progressive approach where trainees re-visit and build on core concepts. Trainees retrieve previous learning, build on those foundational concepts and apply their knowledge in developing their classroom practice.

The taught curriculum content is organised into six modules:

  • Behaviour for learning
  • Pedagogy and how children learn
  • Curriculum and Subject Knowledge for Teaching
  • Assessment for and of learning
  • EDI and adapting teaching
  • Professional behaviours.

These are complemented by six core themes that permeate everything we do: CLF HEART values, 3 – 19, Evidence informed practice, Critical thinking and reflection, Collaboration and relationships, and Well-being.

What our trainees say

We've successfully trained over 350 teachers over the last 4 years, and here is what they say about us!
Five Counties SCITT is full of wonderful experts who are able to provide an amazing insight into pedagogy and have incredible subject specific knowledge. Across the SCITT there is a diverse range of placement opportunities and it has been incredible to experience this during my training.
Christina - Primary SCITT Trainee

Get in touch with us

For advice about SCITT Teacher Training in Bristol, South Gloucestershire, Bath and North East Somerset, North Somerset and Somerset.

Email the Team

For general enquiries, email the team on:
scitt@fivecountiesalliance.co.uk

Phone Us

To speak to the team, phone us on:
0117 244 6233
envelopephone