In addition to the school-based training, all trainees will attend Core training, typically at Ashmead School. Core training is delivered by subject specialists and other qualified professionals from within the Teacher Training Partnership, the LEA and beyond. These sessions provide a coherent programme, closely linked to the Teachers’ Standards in Initial Teacher Education but also cover other important issues such as Safeguarding, E-Safety and Emotional Well-Being. The core training sessions also provide an opportunity for trainees to compare notes with peers working in other schools and share experiences within a supportive environment. Being based in a school, there are also many opportunities to team teach and work with groups of children during the training  – putting the theory into practice! 

The sessions enable trainees to develop a deeper understanding of key issues and pedagogical thinking by encouraging them to critically reflect on research in relation to their own classroom practice.  These sessions provide an opportunity for the cohort to come together and share their experiences while learning from our expert trainers.  Trainees value the ‘headspace’ that these sessions provide, allowing them to reflect deeply on their practice and learn new skills and pedagogies which they can take back to their schools.

During the Autumn Term, training session take place twice a week (Thursday and Friday), allowing trainees to build a secure base of theory and understanding, which is slowly integrated into their classroom practice.  During the cross phase teaching practice, trainees attend core training once per week on a Friday.  In the second half of the Spring Term, training is offered on Thursday afternoons and all day Friday and, by the Summer Term, trainees are fully integrated in school and are placed full-time in their home schools, building up to their final teaching practice and assessment.