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Bishop Challoner, who work in partnership with three universities, has become one of only 80 schools appointed to deliver Initial Teacher Training (ITT) beyond 2024.

The Kings Heath-based secondary school has been training and developing teachers for over a decade through the School Direct route.

This school-based training approach means trainee teachers gain the best of both worlds, since a Post Graduate Certificate in Education (PGCE) is also included in the programme.

The team at Bishop Challoner’s Training School support trainees into their early career roles – providing many Birmingham schools with confident, knowledgeable and enthusiastic newly-qualified teachers.

Over the past six years, the Training School has been part of a national Teaching Internship Programme, funded by the DfE. This is specifically for maths, physics and computing undergraduates to spend three weeks in a school classroom to see if teaching may be a career option for them after graduating.

Previous intern Elisa said: “After the internship, I knew that a career in teaching would be the best fit for me.”

In the School Direct programme, she spent time in two different schools, one of which proved to be a more challenging environment, but she felt she had support and guidance every step of the way.

Elisa adds: “I had an amazing journey and I would recommend this experience to any person interested in a teaching career.”

The school will be continuing its ITT delivery beyond 2024 and the director of the training school, Chris Taylor said: “We are delighted to have been successful at this early stage. Being one of only 80 ITT providers nationally appointed is a fantastic achievement and allows us to continue to deliver our high-quality teacher training in collaboration with our partner schools.”

A range of primary programmes and secondary subjects are available with Bishop Challoner Training School for a September start and applications can be made at (code 1K2): https://www.find-postgraduate-teacher-training.service.gov.uk/BCTSA

Bishop Challoner are offering teacher experience days for those thinking of becoming a teacher. Places can be booked at: https://schoolexperience.education.gov.uk/candidates/schools/103560