I trained with the HTTP during the 2016-2017 academic year and was lucky enough to have my training placement at Redden Court School. I could not have wished for a more welcoming place to start my teaching journey.

The first half term was mostly spent observing colleagues in the Geography department and getting to know the pupils that I would soon be teaching, but also venturing into other subjects to see best practice around the school. I was eased into teaching by taking some starter activities to begin with, then doing some team-teaching with my mentor, before taking whole lessons. Then as the weeks and months went by, my teaching hours increased.

The whole programme is incredibly well planned, with weekly training provided by HTTP managers or guest speakers who cover lots of theory behind teaching practice and give practical advice/activities to use in the classroom. I was given a mentor within my subject department, as well as a professional tutor - both of these members of staff were always on hand for any advice in school. On top of that, I was given a subject leader who provided training sessions throughout the year, solely on my subject's latest literature and news to enhance my subject knowledge and help with the PGCE essays.

The HTTP programme was a fantastic entry route into my teaching career.

I began my journey at Redden Court School as a Trainee Teacher of English and Sociology with the Havering Teacher Training Partnership (HTTP) and it is here that I fostered a passion for teaching young people.

As I had previous teaching experience, I was enrolled onto the Schools Direct Teacher Training Programme. This meant that I would begin with ten hours a week of teaching time and be accountable for these classes throughout the academic year. While this route is different to the traditional SCITT programme, I was still given copious amounts of support and feedback from my mentor and personal tutor and they were always on hand to answer any questions or queries I had. In addition to this, I attended HTTP training sessions every Tuesday, where key speakers would share their teaching expertise with the trainee teachers. These sessions would last the whole day and were invaluable as I was able to discuss my experiences with other trainee teachers too! As the academic year progressed, my teaching hours increased and so did my confidence in the classroom. By the end of the academic year, I felt I was well equipped with the skills, theory and knowledge to execute them effectively and engage my students.

From the beginning, I loved teaching at Redden Court School and I was lucky enough to secure a permanent position upon completing my teacher training. With this, I was given the opportunity to take on the role of Subject Leader of Sociology. As I was still an NQT, this was an exciting challenge and, with the support of staff and the Senior Leadership Team, the relaunch of the subject was a great success and has become popular among students!

Professional development and well-being at Redden Court School and across the Success For All Educational Trust is of a high focus and is continuously implemented through comprehensive CPD and well-being sessions. I have had a variety of opportunities to attend training courses and engage with online courses too. Equally, the Trust has invited various key speakers to deliver sessions on their expertise in education, as well as considering well-being sessions as part of the CPD programme.

The staff at Redden Court School are incredibly dedicated to positive student outcomes and it is a privilege to be a part of a school that is committed to success for all.

I joined Royal Liberty School as a trainee on the Havering SCITT programme. I was fortunate to have an incredibly supportive mentor, and faculty, that helped me develop my teaching practice.

I have remained at the school ever since, progressing through my NQT year and then becoming the subject specialist for history. More recently I have also gained responsibility for SMSC and RE across the school.

My time at Royal Liberty has offered me many opportunities, including training and mentoring, ensuring that I have continued to develop professionally. I am incredibly proud of the progress that my department has made and this is the result of the hard work, drive and aspirations of the staff and students. I have loved being a part of Royal Liberty’s success in recent years and am excited to see the school build on this.

I joined Royal Liberty as a trainee teacher through the Havering Teacher Training Partnership in 2016. I enjoyed working at the school so much that I have stayed ever since.

Due to the supportive environment at the school, I have managed to progress from trainee teacher to second in science with a responsibility of key stage three and our outreach programme. The school have supported my own personal development by encouraging me to take advantage of many opportunities such as presenting at the PIXL science conference, speaking at the Association of Science Educators National Conference, writing for the Education in Chemistry magazine and becoming an author of resources for the Oxford University Press.

Royal Liberty is also a school where hard work is recognised, thanks to Royal Liberty I have been shortlisted for the Evening Standard Inspirational teacher of the year in 2019 and was also recognised at the Havering Learning Partnership awards.

The supportive nature of the school allows staff to provide an abundance of opportunities for the students which allows them to develop academically as well as allowing them to grow as people. This truly feeds through to the whole ethos of the school with it being reflected in both student and staff attitudes to learning. A large emphasis and trust are placed upon staff inside and outside of the classroom. The school allows teachers the freedom to develop extra-curricular activities, this has allowed me to coordinate in-school clubs, various trips and visits, borough-wide student competitions and an extensive outreach programme to local primary schools.

Without such a supportive environment and senior leadership team, I feel that I would not have developed as a teacher in the same way in which I have. Royal Liberty is a great working environment with unique students. It is a school where you are encouraged to constantly better your practice and therefore always support the boys to succeed.

Since joining Sanders as a trainee teacher, I have been able to grow and develop my skills and expertise through the opportunities and experiences made available to me.

I have filled the role of Geography teacher, Head of Year, Leader for KS4 and progressed to the Senior Leadership team, here I lead on across the school on all matters pastoral.

Sanders shares my view that it is vital we develop the whole child. The school believes passionately in every young person. I have huge admiration for our students. They are the heartbeat of our school. Our staff are passionate and dedicated in ensuring that they support our students.

As part of the SFAET I am able to further develop as a leader and utilise expertise across the trust.

I began my teaching career as a trainee teacher at Sanders School in September 2003...and I have never left!! The school has been a part of my life now for 17 years and my career has progressed massively during that time.

I began as a science teacher, moved into a Head of Year role, became Head of the Science Department and then Head of the Science and PE faculty, and finally became an Assistant Headteacher. I have never wanted to leave Sanders as both the staff and students are amazing and it is like having an extended family.

The opportunities that we provide, the support and encouragement and development of the whole child at Sanders is something I am particularly proud to be a part of and we really work hard here to grow students into being the best people that they can be!