At Star Institute we are really proud of the fact that all our trainees have said that they would recommend us to other candidates applying for ITT and that 100% of our trainees have been successful in securing their ECT posts. Hear their views on who we are, what we do and the key strengths of our ITT programme.
case studies
Background
I studied a BA degree in English and European Literature, my passion for film and TV led me to undertake a MA degree in Film. I now have over 20 years’ experience of working as a Television Series Producer. During my career, I have worked on television series such as The Big Breakfast, Saturday Kitchen and Richard & Judy, including working on the panel to select books for the Richard & Judy Book Club.
Why Teaching?
Over the years, I started a family and realised that the job I was doing no longer supported my lifestyle, so I decided that I wanted to have the passion of doing something completely new. Teaching had always crossed my mind, my father was a teacher and other relatives of mine are teachers. After finding Now Teach, a charity organisation that supports career changes into teaching, I was led to Star Teachers.
Why Star Teachers?
The Star Teachers offer caught my attention straight away, Star Teachers offers outstanding training in outstanding schools. You’re also provided with excellent mentoring and support in school and during the training. My passion for English has enabled me to train to teach in this subject. Star Teachers were also really supportive in selecting placement schools for me, considering that I relocated from London to study with the Star Teachers West Midlands SCITT.
Memorable moment as a Trainee Teacher
I have set up a book club in my school and I’m already seeing the huge improvement the students have made.
Future aspirations
I have managed to secure a role once I qualify in September, at the school that I am training in, but I would definitely like to aim to become a subject leader and senior leader at the school.
Favourite quote about teaching
“Teach students how to do things right, don’t just establish consequences for doing them wrong”
— Doug Lemov
Background
I studied my A-Levels in Mathematics, Chemistry and Biology and later undertook a BSc degree in Mathematics and Computing. Following my studies, I went on to working in the IT industry where I spent just over 30 years as a Project Manager. I now have a Post Graduate Certificate in Education and have gained Qualified Teacher Status (QTS) through Star Teachers.
Why Teaching?
After graduation I considered pursuing a teaching career, however, circumstances dictated otherwise. Having enjoyed a long and varied career in IT project management, I decided to take early retirement. My desire to teach mathematics has always remained strong and whenever the need has arisen to consider a career change; teaching has always been my first preference. I aspire to be an inspirational teacher who motivates children to achieve their maximum potential.
Why Star Teachers?
I first came across Star Teachers when I was researching potential SCITT training providers. From my initial contact with Star Teachers and throughout my training year, I immediately felt a sense of belonging.
I was comprehensively supported throughout my training year, and I valued the advice and guidance I was offered by my mentor, SLT and other teaching colleagues at Eden Boys’ School, Birmingham.
My experience during my SCITT was fully complemented by the quality of training and support provided by Star Institute. My SCITT training year embodied the Star vales of Service, Teamwork, Ambition and Respect.
Memorable moment as a Trainee Teacher
During the summer term I was asked to teach a small group of Year 11 students who were at risk of not meeting their grade 5 target and had also displayed behavioural issues. I managed to develop exceptional professional teacher-student relationships with these students which contributed to all exceeding their target GCSE grade.
Future aspirations
I aspire to becoming a Mathematics Subject Lead/Middle Management role.
Favourite quote about teaching
“A teacher who is attempting to teach without inspiring the pupil with a desire to learn is hammering on a cold iron”
— Horace Mann
Background
I studied my A-levels and graduated with a Chemistry degree from the University of Bangor. I now have a Post Graduate Certificate in Education and have gained Qualified Teacher Status (QTS) through Star Teachers.
Initially, I started my career as a chemist. I worked in a Recycled Paper Mill, testing water, paper and carrying out mini projects whilst I was doing my degree. After graduating I was able to work in the industry as a Research and Development Chemist developing automotive water-based coatings.
Why Teaching?
As my family commitments increased, I was fortunate enough to be able to take a break in my career and have a family. During this time, I saw my role gradually developing into a teacher, as I tutored, coached, mentored, and enriched my own children’s learning. Always looking to inspire and encourage their development, into doing the best they could do. I moved onto tutor and coach other children, showing a flair and fascination into how I was able to give this same attention to other children and they could benefit too.
As an active member of the school community, I developed a close relationship with my children’s school. So, when the challenging changes in the SATs were faced, I was approached by the Headteacher to spend some time in the school supporting. I used this time as a volunteer to understand the formal teaching methods and to really see if I could do this. I became really interested in the routes I could take into teaching now that I had more time for myself. It really was the first opportunity I had after many years to think about which direction I wanted to take next in my career. The scientist is always there but the teacher within had awoken and now I could see a viable route.
I accepted a position as a Learning Coach with Star Academies, and it was a very fulfilling experience for me. I got the opportunity to work alongside exceptional practitioners and acquire a variety of teaching strategies. I used them whenever I could, and it gave me more confidence in wanting to pursue the path that would lead to a professional teaching qualification. As a Higher Level Teaching Assistant (HLTA), I progressed to whole-class teaching, giving me the confidence to pursue my dream of becoming a teacher.
Why Star Teachers?
During my position as a Learning Coach/HLTA with Star Academies, I was very fortunate to experience exceptional practitioners and acquire a variety of teaching strategies.
My then class teacher was a very motivating mentor who encouraged me to apply for the postgraduate teaching apprenticeship. Later during my training, the in-school support from mentors and teachers was invaluable. The Star Teachers Postgraduate Teaching Apprenticeship enabled me to train and work whilst still being in the school I loved teaching at.
Memorable moment as a Trainee Teacher
I think one of the key moments that I draw on is during my training was when I was teaching a year 5 Science lesson. I had planned the sequence of lessons and was able to deliver them successfully. During the lesson, the class teacher was in class too, she stopped her marking and sat through the lesson. When the lesson had finished, she commented on how engaged the children were and how she was distracted from her own task and enjoyed just watching my enthusiasm and the engagement of the children. All round that was one of my win-win days and one I look back on so fondly, and it sometimes keeps me going on days which are more challenging. She commented that now we see you are a true scientist!
Future aspirations
I love science and my background lends itself towards this too. I would love to lead science and to be able to inspire more children towards science. Once I have a length of experience behind me, I would also like to inspire upcoming teachers as a mentor and support.
Favourite quote about teaching
“It’s a beautiful thing when a career and passion come together”
TESTIMONIALS
PRIMARY (5-11)
I have received support on all aspects of my teaching from mentors. I have been shown what outstanding practice looks like and have had feedback on my personal areas of success and areas for development. I have had support with planning, how to improve classroom behaviour, and all round support in my teaching practice. All staff have been eager to help me throughout my training.
Rachel MacMahon
NQT at: St James’, Lanehead CE Primary School, Burnley
The experiences at both my placement schools have had a positive impact on my own confidence. I feel that I have grown since the first term and have developed many skills. In particular, I feel that my creativity, classroom presence and behaviour management have improved through observations of practitioners and listening to the feedback from colleagues.
Hamera Sajid
NQT at: Lomeshaye Junior School, Nelson
Secondary (11-16)
Secondary English
My placement experiences have been hugely beneficial in my teacher training journey. They have enabled me to experience putting theory into practice. The teaching pedagogy and approaches that we have learnt through our sessions have been implemented in my placements. The support I have received at both placements has been outstanding. Both the schools are demographically quite different and hence face different challenges. The support I have received at both my placements has enabled me to develop key transferable teaching skills so that they can be adapted to the needs of different pupils and different schools.
Asiya Hasan
NQT at: Tauheedul Islam Boys’ High School
Secondary Biology
Nothing compares to first-hand real experience of training in a school, experiencing the day-to-day duties of a teacher and having full responsibility of multiple classes. The SCITT programme with Star Teachers allows you to develop your entire skillset from your mannerism, confidence and most importantly your teaching style from the beginning of the course.
Samir Khan
NQT at: The Eden School, Bolton
Secondary Chemistry
The support I have received on the programme has been bespoke and personalised from mentors and class teachers. This has helped me to develop my teaching practice as well as strategies to develop my behaviour management. In addition, the weekly mentor meetings have supported me in identifying strengths, areas for development and targets for future lessons.
Aaminah Vali
NQT at: Islamiyah Girls High School
Secondary Physics
The programme is functional in the development of good teachers. I like the wide variety of enrichment placements offered and the college sessions are useful to help develop the practice of teaching. Tutors are responsive to emails and I felt that they genuinely cared about me.
Robert Arden
NQT at: The Eden School, Bolton
