Welcome to our ITT bulletin for the Summer term. Here we aim to provide you with useful information about teacher training in our region and national policy developments.
New mentoring research
The National Institute of Teaching (NIoT) has recently published research which provides helpful insights for school leaders and ITT providers about supporting the mentoring role. We all know that effective mentoring is crucial for successful ITT experiences, and this exploration of ways to overcome common barriers is a welcome development.
The study examined teachers’ and leaders’ perceptions of the current quality of school support for ITT mentors, and identifies six key ways to support the mentoring role, which is useful for school leaders to be aware of.
Time – Mentors want more (protected) time to do the role
Training – Mentors want training in advance and for it to evolve in a meaningful way
Recognition – Mentors want (consistent and genuine) recognition and to feel valued
Collaboration and Networking – Mentors want to collaborate and learn from each other
Delivery/Documentation/Systems – Mentors want accessible systems that free up their time to focus on the job and build a relationship with their mentee
Communication – Mentors want to be told exactly what they need to do
Trainee Recruitment Support
Schools can play a vital role in the recruitment of new trainee teachers, even when you are unable to host a placement. As we approach the end of the school year, terms 5 and 6 see the peak for applications for the 2025/2026 cohort. We have produced a marketing toolkit to help you promote teacher training to people in your school community such a parents, older siblings or school staff who may be thinking of a career in teaching.
The window for applications for mentor grant funding opens in May with payments being made in September-December 2025. Please follow this link for full details of ITT funding available to schools and training providers.
ITT Case study school - Valley Invicta Academies Trust
We recently spoke to VIAT about their ITT provision across their trust to find out about how they benefit and make ITT work for their schools and trainees. Please take a look at this link for more information which we hope you will find of interest.
Supporting career changers
Now Teach is a charity set up to help individuals looking to change careers and join the teaching profession. By collaborating with schools, universities, and training providers, they offer ongoing support and connect career changers with a strong professional network. They have produced some excellent marketing materials which you may wish to share with your community to promote the opportunities they can offer. Please see this link for further details.
ITT providers in our area
If you would like to get involved in ITT or need to find a new programme, there are range of providers with differing offers which will suit individual school contexts. You can find a list of providers who we are aware are actively partnering with schools in our localities here, or email us if you need more help.
We hope you find this information useful and as always, if you would like any further details about getting more involved with teacher training, please get in touch or visit our website www.ktsh.org.uk
With kind regards,
Rebecca Hunter
ITT Engagement Coordinator
Kent Teaching School Hub
KTSH and Teach Kent & Sussex, Bennett Memorial Diocesan School, Culverden Down, Royal Tunbridge Wells, Kent TN4 9SH, United Kingdom, 01892 521595
