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SCHOOL SUCCESS STORIES
Benefits of ITT engagement at Beckfoot Oakbank
Challenges
Beckfoot Oakbank, situated in Keighley, has devised a highly effective strategy to tackle the issue of securing high-quality teachers, particularly in subjects facing shortages such as maths, sciences and languages. This case study delves into their engagement with initial teacher training (ITT) and the benefits it has yielded.
Solutions
A strategic approach to ITT:
As a member of the Beckfoot Trust, Beckfoot Oakbank has embraced ITT as a cornerstone of its recruitment strategy. With a dedicated ITT Lead at the school, supported by a Trust ITT Lead, the ethos of ITT is deeply ingrained. Collaboration with high-quality ITT providers ensures comprehensive placements across the Trust's secondary and primary schools, spanning a wide spectrum of subjects.
Nurturing a supportive environment:
Trainees are not merely seen as temporary fixtures but are integrated into the Beckfoot Trust family from the onset. Trainees become part of the Beckfoot Trust family from the moment they begin their teaching journey. The ITT curriculum they are taught is sequential, backed with research and in line with the CCF curriculum they are taught by their provider. Weekly training by the Trust ITT lead is shared with mentors and host teachers and allows trainees to share experiences, discuss their learning and put into practice new skills. In these sessions, experienced staff from across the Trust share their expertise and knowledge and the programme responds to the needs of the trainees. They are well-supported, and the ITT curriculum gives them the skills they need to teach, in sometimes challenging settings. School-focused CPD within each setting supports the theory and pedagogical knowledge trainees learn and puts the individual school’s context at the heart of the ‘learn how to’ statements of the CCF.
The meticulously crafted ITT curriculum, aligned with the Core Content Framework, equips trainees with the requisite skills and knowledge. Support mechanisms, including mentorship and collaboration with host teachers, ensure trainees feel valued and guided throughout their journey.
Impactful mentorship and cultural integration:
Mentors play a pivotal role in trainees' development. Through working closely with ITT providers, the Trust ITT Lead matches the needs of the trainees with the expertise and capacity available in schools. Mentors are chosen carefully as it is such a crucial relationship for a trainee teacher. Mentors meet with trainees every week for a formal mentor meeting, as well as the trainee being supported daily in and outside class. Host teachers within the faculty also play a vital role in supporting ITTs as they work together to plan and co- teach classes. Regular mentor meetings coupled with continuous support foster an environment conducive to growth.
Benefits
Trust values are woven through the ITT provision so that trainees understand the culture and context of the schools they work in. The focus at the Beckfoot Trust is to create remarkable schools, where no child is left behind and evidence-led practice is at the core of everything they do. As a result, many choose to apply for roles in their placement schools. The Trust knows that the trainees have had high-quality provision that sets them in good stead for the ECF programme and their ongoing career in teaching.
As a school, we feel the benefit of working with ITTs in several ways. The trainees themselves bring enthusiasm and fresh ideas to their subject teams as well as wider school life. They contribute fully in faculties and act as role models for our children. The staff who act as mentors benefit by enhancing their coaching skills, seeing the professional growth of the trainees and by reflecting on their practice.
Those trainees who have joined us as ECTs have gone from strength to strength.
Ultimately, we are investing not only in future talent for Beckfoot Oakbank and The Beckfoot Trust, but for the teaching profession in general.
Liz Hart, Headteacher at Beckfoot Oakbank
Adam – Business ITT
Adam spent a year working in the pastoral team at Beckfoot Oakbank before starting to train to teach in September 2023. Oakbank is his main placement school all year and he has secured an ECT role to start in July 2024.
‘Being on placement in a school such as Beckfoot Oakbank has had its challenges. These challenges have made me realise how rewarding it is to work with students and families within this demographic and has helped support my decision to work there.’
At Beckfoot Oakbank, trainees are inspired by the impact great teachers have on the life chances, progress and outcomes of pupils. New ECTs to the school benefit from their shared training history and a supportive network moving forward in their careers.
Tom - English ITT
Tom started his placement in September 2023 and was recruited in October as his potential was clear to see:
‘From the first moment on placement, any trepidation was instantly assuaged. The ITT coordinator met me and made me feel incredibly welcome, she then introduced me to my mentor who was to oversee my development over the course of my placement.
A fear I had before starting (which I know is shared by many other trainees) was 'imposter syndrome', again however, this feeling disappeared when I met the rest of the English department, from the first lesson I taught, I was treated like a colleague, a trusted and valued member of the team whose opinions and insights were listened to and considered alongside subject experts who had worked in the school for many years. My mentor willingly shared her vast expertise in the subject and teaching in general. She was also always on hand to lend an ear and a friendly word when things got tough.
Considering all this, when I was encouraged to interview for a position in the English department I jumped at the opportunity. I was lucky enough to be offered the job and didn't hesitate to tell the headteacher that I would gladly accept her offer.
I am delighted to be beginning my teaching career in a school that is such a fertile environment for development, I have felt supported at every juncture and know that that will continue into my ECT years and my future career beyond’.
Experienced teachers have the opportunity to develop their careers through mentoring, whilst also investing in their potential future team. Beckfoot Trust works with providers who have mentors’ well-being and workload in mind.
We welcome and support the ITT students to Beckfoot Oakbank and ensure that they have everything they need for a positive start to their teaching career. They receive the highest quality of mentoring from our more experienced teachers, who are keen to share their experience and knowledge as well as learn from the ITTs themselves, who bring new ideas and positivity to each department. We have been so lucky over the recent years to have recruited the ITTs who have trained within the Trust and who are now part of the community at Beckfoot Oakbank.
Patricia Hemsley (Beckfoot Oakbank ITT Lead)
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