Teacher Training

All applications are made via UCAS teacher training. You need to apply directly to Windsor Academy Trust and you can apply via UCAS below.

Apply via UCAS

Teacher training partners

As well as our own School Direct teacher training course, we work closely with three strategic partners to offer school placements as part of their training programmes. These partners are:

• University of Birmingham
• Haybridge Alliance SCITT
• St John Bosco Teaching School Alliance
• Teach First

Supporting and developing trainee teachers

All of our trainee teachers are supported by a wide range of staff in the Trust. Our lead for early career teaching has overall responsibility for trainees and each school has a lead mentor who supports trainees on their placement.

All trainees are assigned a trained mentor within their chosen subject at each of their school placements. All the training is led by experienced facilitators with a wealth of current experience ensuring high quality professional and pastoral support that takes account of your wellbeing in your important training year.

Your initial teacher training year is important for giving you a solid foundation in teaching and creating a network of like-minded teachers. These people will be colleagues and friends for the future, supporting you and growing together.

The principles which underpin our programme are captured well by Judith Little’s quote: “You know you are in a good school when”:

• teachers talk about teaching
• teachers observe each other teach
• teachers plan, organise and evaluate together
• teachers teach each other

We are committed to providing each trainee with the following:

• A supportive environment which offers a fair, consistent approach to the professional support and assessment of all trainees
• Time management which takes account of individual training needs
• A wide range of experiences and development opportunities in the classroom and across Windsor Academy Trust appropriate to their programme
• A secure foundation for entry to the profession through facilitating the observation of a range of good practice and the opportunity to practice acquired skills themselves
• A graduated timetable, allowing increased teaching responsibility
• A programme of induction with a focus on the WAT Teaching and Learning Cycle
• The opportunity to attend our initial teacher training conference focussing on managing low level disruption
• The opportunity to attend Windsor Academy Trust conference which involves all staff from across our family of schools and a range of guest speakers
• The opportunity to observe examples of excellent practice in all areas of the teaching process
• The support of peers who share their successes

Alongside this, dedicated mentor support will include:

• regular meetings to set and review targets
• guidance for successfully meeting the standards for Qualified Teacher Status
• informal lesson observations and discussion about good practice
• formal lesson observations with written feedback and the opportunity for discussion and reflection

Find out more about teacher training at Windsor Academy Trust

To find out more about our teacher training course and our Trust, get in touch with Chris Wallbank, Trust Lead for Early Career Teaching, at cwallbank@kingswinford.windsoracademytrust.org.uk

Gaining school experience prior to your application

If you are looking for a school placement and experience prior to your teaching training application, contact Chris Wallbank at cwallbank@kingswinford.windsoracademytrust.org.uk