If you find yourself strolling through Cabot Circus this Friday or Saturday, do keep a look out for a large screen showing four community films – including one from our very own Five Counties SCITT. Do come along and say 'hi'.
We are extremely proud of the many teacher training courses we run, in different phases and subjects and it is our aim that everyone in the South West region knows that if they want a truly exceptional experience, they should register to study with us.
The Five Counties SCITT is an innovative, authentic and highly-respected training provider, passionate about training outstanding teachers and leaders of the future. Do you know what SCITT stands for? It is School Centred Initial Teacher Training.
In March 2024 the then-CLF SCITT was graded ‘Outstanding’ by Ofsted. Since then, the name has changed to Five Counties SCITT and this year there are more than 100 trainee teachers enrolled on the programme.
We provide a programme which immerses trainees into school life for as many hours as possible and this begins from the third week of September. The course runs for the entire academic year and culminates in a graduation ceremony at our CLF Summer Conference.
Four days a week are spent in school, with study days at the CLF Institute one day each week. Training is delivered by an array of practicing teachers, specialist leaders of education and subject specialists. This enables us to provide a training programme that is current and relevant, drawing on up-to-date educational research and practice. Intensive practice weeks (ITAPs) are also a popular part of the course, giving time for in-depth knowledge and practice of key evidence-based principles for effective teaching.
Our current cohort are now at their second placement, so you may well have already met some of our trainees in your academy.
We have been recruiting for our next cohort since October, but the good news is that there are still places left to fill so, if you have a degree or are studying for one and are interested, please speak to our amazing SCITT team at the CLF Institute. Please also encourage anyone else you know, who you think would make a great teacher to email scitt@fivecountiesalliance.co.uk or call 0117 244 6233.
Teaching really is one of the best jobs in the world. Not only do you get to spend time with the most creative, funny, inquisitive and interesting young people, but you get to make a difference on a daily basis. Teaching has the potential to transform lives – including yours!
We couldn't finish this article without a shout-out to all of our incredible, previous SCITT trainees who are now working in CLF academies, plus a huge thank you to all of the more experienced teachers, who mentor those new to the profession. Your ongoing support and engagement with the programme is hugely appreciated.