Declan Poulton
My decision to train to teach with Stockton SCITT programme was one of the best decisions I have ever made. It has been fascinating, rewarding and every day has been a challenge. I was concerned about going back into training at the age of 31 but I was not the oldest on the course! There were a variety of people, all with individual talents. The workload has been intense but the rewards of teaching far outweigh this. I now go to work each day with a smile on my face and look forward to teaching and being part of a team.
The SCITT training programme completely prepared me for my NQT year. Throughout my three placements, I experienced a wealth of different situations and gained vast teaching experience. I was given the opportunity to work with and learn from some fantastic practitioners. The SCITT programme was structured in such a way that I would learn the theory and then have the opportunity to put it into practise. The training also gave me experiences, which allowed me to feel fully prepared for interviews for a teaching position. The support structure was fantastic. I was very clear on the line of support available to me and I felt I could draw on it where necessary. I had supportive tutors who were always happy to help, the staff within the partnership were always available to answer any questions and I built some great relationships with the team which I’m sure I will continue to draw upon in my career.
Follow your dreams and ambitions. You will receive all of the help and support you need and if you give it 100% you will reap the rewards. My only regret is not completing my training earlier!
Video Transcript
Why did you want to train with Stockton on Tees Teacher Training Partnership?
Reason I wanted to train and come do it with Stockton partnership was because it’s local and at the time I wanted to stay at home and be in the local area, plus I head about the fantastic reputation that it had so I looked at its ofsted rating and it was outstanding and looking at all the people that had passed in previous years and had a good pass rate. So I just wanted to give it a go and be a part of what I thought would be a fantastic opportunity for me to develop myself and to become a teacher.
What did you think of the quality of the central training?
The quality of teaching is first class, I couldn’t fault anything from anybody that taught the different subject areas on the course, everybody was out there looking for us everybody wanted to get us to be the best that we can be and all the knowledge and advice that was given was first class and I think that having come to these sessions and being a part of this course is helping massively as I progressed throughout the year and is key for everybody to throw themselves into the course and be a part of these sessions because you get so much out of it and in the long run you will see the benefits in your teaching in the classroom.
Did you feel supported by the Partnership during your training?
The amount of support you get from everybody in the partnership is fantastic. I knew that throughout my time on the course if I had any queries any problems or any questions I could email people on the course and get back to me instantly, I never thought there had to be alone and never felt scared about anything because I knew I have people there to give first class advice I would recommend you use everybody on the course even if you don’t think its worth asking make sure you ask because these people are here to help you and over the years the hep that they give you helps you massively in the classroom and I’ve learnt that the biggest thing is ask for help, when I first started this course I just tended to go on my own and think I could be the hero and do it myself but the more as time passed I just knew that I need to ask for help and not be embarrassed by asking for help and the more you can admit that to yourself that you need help the better chance you have in passing this course. So the advice and support I’ve been given has been fantastic.
Did your training prepare you for your teaching NQT year?
The training you get from college and at school is fantastic, the theory side at college helps massively because you can take that away and go implement it into the classroom plus while your in the classroom support you get from your class mentor and training co-ordinator is I’d say is just perfect because there’s more than just one person going to help ask for advice and I know that I can take away going into my NQT year that I’m leaving a better person and a better teacher because of all the training and support I’ve been given. I’ve loved every single part every single minute being a part of this course and I’ve got to know some fantastic people on the course and also who have taught me and getting to know them on a personal level has been great. I definitely say the training 100% helps you to prepare for your own NQT year.
Would you recommend Stockton on Tees Teacher Training Partnership?
Without a doubt I would recommend Stockton partnership for becoming an NQT, don’t get me wrong you have to prepare yourself for the hard work and it is hard work but you can get through it and you can survive and look at me I have come out the other side because of all the support I’ve been given and what you get taught you can feel the benefits when you’re in the classroom it’s fantastic like a family together so it brings everybody together, you get to know some fantastic people and you realise you’re not on your own and you’re all working together to achieve the same goal, its all the fantastic people fantastic staff and I wouldn’t hesitate in applying and going for a position in the partnership.
