Downland Teaching Alliance
Train To Teach
School Direct ITT (Initial Teacher Training) in West Berkshire with the Downland Alliance
The training is organised jointly by The Downs School, Compton, RG20 6NU; St Bartholomew’s School, Newbury, RG14 6JP and Kennet School, Thatcham, RG19 4LL. The Downs School is the lead school; it has been judged outstanding in all areas by Ofsted. Primary Schools in our partnership include Beedon CE Primary School and Compton CE Primary School.
Trainees are placed within these host schools for the majority of their training. There is a mandatory requirement for a second placement to be spent within a contrasting environment, and there are also opportunities for elective weeks to be spent within other educational settings of a trainee’s choice.
Trainees are supported by dedicated mentors throughout their host school and second placements and released regularly for specific, designated training days.
Assessments are undertaken at three points within the training year by an external assessor.
Successful completion of the training year with The Downland Alliance leads to the award of QTS with PGCE.
The following video provides further information on becoming a teacher through the School Direct route.