The first term of Teach West London's Initial Teacher Training (ITT) programme marked an exciting beginning for its inaugural cohort of trainees, as well as for our staff team, who have enjoyed supporting aspiring primary and secondary educators as they embark on their teaching careers.
Trainees not only spent a significant portion of their Autumn term in their placement schools, observing lessons and interacting with pupils / students but had a weekly classroom day themselves at one of our training centres. The school-based programme is central to the Teach West London training experience, enabling trainees to apply their new learning around pedagogical theories and refine their practice in a classroom.
Primary trainee Deepsharan shared how this balance of theory and practice has been particularly beneficial: "I find the Monday sessions very beneficial. I have been able to implement my learning into my practice." Secondary trainee Roisin also reflected on the value of the programme's structure, noting," I have learned a lot during the [professional learning and subject specific] sessions... the history session motivated me to do more to support that subject, and I've since been in contact with my local library to see if my school can borrow artifacts for history lessons... They are now in talks with the History lead in my school." Roisin’s example highlights how trainees even in their early careers are positively impacting their placement schools and students.
Intensive Training and Practice (ITaP) Weeks: immersive learning and observation
ITT Trainees further developed the confidence and skills necessary to manage a classroom and deliver engaging lessons through their participation in the Intensive Training and Practice (ITaP) weeks. Each ITaP week began with expert-led sessions where trainees were introduced to specific teaching principles and strategies. These sessions were followed by classroom observations at diverse host schools across West London.
Feedback from Trainee Emma highlights the impact of these weeks: "ITaP 2 (in November) has been the most beneficial to me, as I was able to observe a range of expert colleagues practicing excellent explanation and modelling. Combining these observations and theory together has allowed me to improve my own practice." In December, secondary trainees focused on metacognition and retrieval practice, techniques critical for helping secondary students consolidate their learning and enhance long-term retention. Trainee Honey reflected on the high-quality teaching she observed at her ITaP placement school: "The two lessons I observed were amazing, especially the one with Year 11. The way the teacher used exam-style questions for retrieval practice was something to remember and use in future. It was such a well-executed lesson." Looking ahead to the Spring term, Teach West London is excited to provide trainees with further opportunities to observe experienced teachers and continue refining their practice through ITaP week 3 and 4.
Support for our Trainees
Each trainee receives comprehensive support and is paired with a mentor who provides regular feedback and guidance. These mentorship relationships allow trainees to reflect critically on their practice, identify areas for growth, and receive the tailored support they need to thrive. Mentor Doina highlighted the mutual benefits: "Teach West London encourages both trainees and mentors to engage in reflective practice. The reflection allowed me as a Mentor to refine my own practice and supported the trainee teacher in developing self-awareness and professional growth." Director of ITT, Dharmini Shah affirmed, “The wellbeing and progress of trainees is our top priority. We strive that each mentor/trainee combination fosters an environment of continuous learning, where trainees can openly discuss their experiences and refine their approaches.” Several Trainees heralded the support The Teach West London team offer. Secondary Trainee, Heba in the London borough of Ealing said: "It has been nothing but amazing, a great department and team that have supported me and helped me find my feet since September and continue to do so. "
By the end of the first term, trainees at Teach West London have gained a strong foundation in key areas of teaching. They have not only acquired theoretical knowledge but also developed the practical skills needed to become effective, reflective practitioners. With a strong emphasis on continuous professional development, our programme promises to continue supporting its trainees to build the knowledge, skills, and confidence to succeed in diverse educational settings.
A huge thank you to our placement schools in supporting a very successful first term.
Check back soon to see how the spring school term goes!