Teacher Talent Pipeline

Over the past year the CTTC has been working with staff from the University of Essex and the Gilberd School to develop a Teacher Talent Pipeline, which will enable Year 1 and Year 2 undergraduates who are interested in a career in teaching to gain valuable experience in a range of our partner schools.

The pilot was launched on 26th April with an Insight into Teaching Day organised by staff at the Gilberd School. The day was attended by 13 year 1 undergraduates from the Mathematics, Biological Sciences and Psychology departments.

Those students who opt to complete the programme will go on to gain at least 50 hours school experience in their second year of University. They will also have the opportunity to design and try out a teaching resource, and will be expected to complete a journal evaluating their experiences on the programme. They will also benefit from the delivery of 3 Professional Development Workshops spread out across the programme.

Students who successfully complete the programme will not only gain credits towards the university’s Big Essex Award but, if they successfully complete the programme and decide to apply for teacher training in the locality, they will be guaranteed an early interview with the CTTC.

In this first year the schools participating in the programme include the Gilberd School, the Colchester County High School for Girls (the lead school for the NEETSA Teaching School and the lead school for CTTC). It is hoped to roll out this programme to more of our partner schools in future years.