School achieves national teacher training accreditation

Bishop Challoner, who work in partnership with three universities, has become one of only 80 schools appointed to deliver Initial Teacher Training (ITT) beyond 2024.

The Kings Heath-based secondary school has been training and developing teachers for over a decade through the School Direct route.

This school-based training approach means trainee teachers gain the best of both worlds, since a Post Graduate Certificate in Education (PGCE) is also included in the programme.

The team at Bishop Challoner 's Training School support trainees into their early career roles - providing many Birmingham schools with confident, knowledgeable and enthusiastic newly-qualified teachers.

Over the past six years, the Training School has been part of a national Teaching Internship Programme, funded by the DfE. This is specifically for maths, physics and computing undergraduates to spend three weeks in a school classroom to see if teaching may be a career option for them after graduating.

Previous intern Elisa said: “After the internship, I knew that a career in teaching would be the best fit for me. ”

In the School Direct programme, she spent time in two different schools, one of which proved to be a more challenging environment, but she felt she had support and guidance every step of the way.

Elisa adds: “I had an amazing journey and I would recommend this experience to any person interested in a teaching career. ”

The school will be continuing its ITT delivery beyond 2024 and the director of the training school, Chris Taylor said: “We are delighted to have been successful at this early stage. Being one of only 80 ITT providers nationally appointed is a fantastic achievement and allows us to continue to deliver our high-quality teacher training in collaboration with our partner schools. ”

A range of primary programmes and secondary subjects are available with Bishop Challoner Training School for a September start and applications can be made at (code 1K2): https://www.find-postgraduate-teacher-training.service.gov.uk/BCTSA

Bishop Challoner are offering teacher experience days for those thinking of becoming a teacher. Places can be booked at: https://schoolexperience.education.gov.uk/candidates/schools/103560

Pictured: ITT team members (l-r): Sachin Jethwa, Hannah Ghoris and Lucy Choudhury