Primary SCITT Case Study

I had always intended to go into teaching, but everything was put on hold when my children were born. I completed my degree in Language Studies part-time with the Open University whilst also working as a teaching assistant to gain some classroom experience.

When looking for a Teacher Training course, SCITT seemed like the ideal opportunity for me. It was based in my home town, so I wouldn’t have to travel very far. This meant that my childcare costs would be considerably lower than if I had gone to one of the universities. I was also attracted by the large amount of school based training, which is well balanced with time in lectures, giving the opportunity to share experiences with others in the same situation.

My school placements enabled me to gain experience of teaching across two Key Stages in two very different schools. I was well supported on placement by my school based mentors and indeed the rest of the staff at the schools. The SCITT tutors were also available, even when I was on placement, so there was always someone around to help when it was needed.

Lectures provided opportunities to link theory and practice and also to brush up on my subject knowledge. We were given the chance to try out and evaluate many activities which we could then use in our classrooms. Open sessions also gave us the chance to discuss concerns or successes with other students.

I feel the extra classroom experience compared to that available on the university based PGCEs has left me feeling better prepared and confident to take on my own class. The support from experienced teachers and the opportunities to spend time with other students means that you never feel isolated. It is a fantastic course and an unforgettable experience that is well worth all the hard work involved.
 

Apply for Primary SCITT