Local teacher training centre helps trainees “fall in love with teaching”, inspectors say
A local teacher training centre helps future teachers “fall in love” with the profession, inspectors said.
AA Teamworks West Yorkshire, which provides school-centred initial teacher training (SCITT), was praised by inspectors in a report published in July.
The training centre — part of the Great Heights Academy Trust — is based at Riverside Mills in Elland, and met Ofsted’s Strong Standard across all areas in both its primary and secondary programmes following a four-day inspection.
Inspectors said that, within the area of inclusion for the centre’s primary programme, “leaders ensure that support is a golden thread that runs through the course” and that trainees “know that they are valued and feel included.”
Inspectors praised leaders for their “clear vision to develop skilled and caring teachers” and said the “context of the schools in the local community” is carefully considered to inform the curriculum.
The report said there is a “family feel” at the institution, and that there are “high expectations” for trainees’ professional behaviour.
Within the secondary programme, inspectors praised the culture that “welcomes everyone” that has been created by leaders.
The report said leaders are “highly committed” to ensuring the curriculum is “successful in developing trainees into high quality secondary teachers for the communities they serve.”
The report added that, by the end of the secondary programme, trainees are “well rounded. They are more than ready to start their teaching careers.”
On what it is like to be a trainee at the centre, the report said: “Trainees at AA Teamworks West Yorkshire SCITT fall in love with teaching.”
Helen Crowther, Strategic Lead for Designations at Great Heights Academy Trust, said: “We are immensely proud that Ofsted has recognised the strength and quality of our SCITT programme across every area of inspection.”
She added: “This achievement reflects the commitment and collaboration of everyone involved in our SCITT community, including our dedicated staff, mentors and partner schools, who work together to provide the expert training and encouragement that enable our trainees to thrive.”
The centre is located at Great Heights Academy Trust, at Riverside Mills on Saddleworth Road, Elland, HX5 0RY.