Spotlight on Excellence: A Year in Review for Lead Partners
As the 2024–2025 academic year draws to a close, we’d like to take a moment to celebrate the remarkable work of our three Lead Partners for Initial Teacher Training - CTSN SCITT, Mid Essex ITT and West Essex SCITT. Each has made significant strides in shaping the next generation of educators, offering innovative training, strong partnerships, and unwavering support for aspiring teachers.
CTSN SCITT: Flexible Pathways from Early Years to Secondary
CTSN SCITT continues to stand out for its comprehensive range of teacher training programmes, offering routes into Early Years, Primary, and Secondary education. This breadth allows trainees to find the path that best suits their passion and career goals.
One of the highlights this year has been the growing popularity of their flexible part-time training route, which enables aspiring teachers to balance their studies with personal or professional commitments.
CTSN has partnered with schools across the Saffron Academy Trust, including RA Butler Academy and Saffron Walden County High School, to deliver their ITaP Programmes – helping ensure every trainee benefits from high-quality, research-informed teaching and strong support networks across Essex.
📧 Contact: scitt@catrust.co.uk
🌐 Website: www.ctsnscitt.info
Mid Essex Initial Teacher Training: Celebrating 30 Years of Excellence
It’s been a landmark year for Mid Essex ITT, which proudly celebrated its 30th anniversary. With over 1,000 teachers trained since its inception, the programme continues to thrive, offering secondary teacher training in partnership with Anglia Ruskin University. In March 2024, they received an Outstanding rating in all categories from Ofsted - a testament to their dedication and quality. This year, they’ve expanded flexible training options and hosted a series of community events, including TeachMeets and personalised online consultations for prospective applicants.
📧 Contact: scitt@meitt.org.uk
🌐 Website: www.midessexscitt.com
West Essex SCITT: Nurturing Primary Educators with Care
West Essex SCITT has continued to shine as a beacon for primary teacher training, with a particular emphasis on inclusive education. This year, they’ve expanded their SEND-focused training routes, ensuring that future teachers are well-equipped to support all learners. Their close collaboration with Saffron Teaching School Hub has strengthened their community ties, and they are now supporting the DEEP Schools Partnership to develop their own SCITT Programme. This initiative is stimulating engagement and interest in Teacher Training across this semi-rural area of Essex.
📧 Contact: scitt@efspt.org
🌐 Website: www.westessexscitt.co.uk
Get Involved: Shape the Future of Teaching
We encourage school leaders across the region to consider how they can play a part in developing the next generation of teachers. Whether through offering placements, mentoring trainees, or contributing to training delivery, your involvement is vital.
Contact Saffron Teaching School Hub to explore how your school can support ITT:
📧 saffrontsh@saffron.academy
🌐 www.saffronteachingschoolhub.net
Together, we can build a stronger, more resilient teaching workforce - one trainee at a time.