Testimonials

Patricia Brereton

Employed at Roseacre Primary Academy

PGCE Primary with QTS 2022/23

Through working as a Teaching Assistant and later as a PPA cover for a few years at Roseacre in Blackpool, I realised I had discovered a passion for working with children and was encouraged by the school to consider pursuing a qualification to become a full time teacher. The school was incredibly supportive of my development and made me aware of the ITT course offered by the Blackpool Sea View Trust. I can say that it was a challenging but also an amazing experience, having three placements in different schools and being taught and mentored in the meantime by the best professionals in the area. Chris, our tutor from the University of Cumbria, and Gillian, our course lead, certainly provided the best support I could have had. In particular, I felt grateful that I could discuss which schools would be best for me prior to the placements as Gillian always understood my needs. The course really prepared me to hit the ground running as a first time teacher and I couldn’t recommend it enough! I am now back at Roseacre teaching in Year 3 and I couldn’t be happier!

Megan Prescott

Employed at a British curriculum school in the United Arab Emirates.

PGCE Primary with SEND 2022-23

I realised I wanted to pursue a career in teaching during my time as a Teaching Assistant. Seeing teachers inspire students and help them achieve filled me with so much joy and I knew I had to be a part of it. With that it mind, the ITT course offered by Blackpool Sea View Trust seemed perfect as its on the job training that allows you to be involved in all elements of school life. Over the course of my three placements, I was given lots of different responsibilities which I believe taught me everything I needed to take control of my own class. I loved the fact that the course takes account of your individual needs and find placements that best suit you. I opted for the special educational needs route and I'm so glad I did as it taught me so many strategies that can be implemented in both SEN and mainstream settings. The support given by course lead Gillian and mentors on placement went above and beyond. They helped calm nerves, were a listening ear to run through ideas but also stretched and challenged us when they knew we could go far. I now work as a Year 1 teacher in a British curriculum school in the United Arab Emirates. I believe that the ITT fully prepared me for life as a teacher and I couldn't imagine doing anything else!

Danielle Beesley

Employed at Sacred Heart Catholic Primary School Thornton.

PGCE Primary with QTS 2020/21

I started my teacher training with Blackpool Teaching School Alliance (former name) in September 2020. As my degree is in sport coaching and development and I had taught PE for many years, I wanted to peruse a career in primary teaching. After applying for a few different programmes, I chose Blackpool Teaching School Alliance as I really wanted to be in school as much as possible. My first placement was at Moor Park Primary in Year 6 and I absolutely loved every second of my time there. My mentor and class teacher was the most inspiring teacher and I am forever grateful to her. My next placement at Anchorsholme Primary Academy in Year 2 was fantastic. Allowing me to gain experience in KS1. My third and final placement was at Devonshire Primary Academy in Year 3 and my mentor / class teacher had also completed his teacher training with Blackpool Teaching School Alliance - 4 years ago. It was great to learn from someone who had been in exactly the same position as me a few years earlier, he guided me through my final placement. I finished my PGCE exceeding the teaching standards and I now have my own Year 5 class and I will be forever grateful to the course and all the people who supported me.

Laura Jones

Employed at Highfurlong Special School

PGCE Primary with SEND – 2020/2021

When choosing a route to teaching I knew that the School Direct option was the best for me, after working in a Blackpool school as a teaching assistant for almost 6 years I knew I wanted to be in the classroom as much as I could. While working as a TA I went to University to study Teaching and Learning and graduated with a 1st Class Honours, when I had finished my course I began my search to find the right route for me within the Blackpool area. This is when I found the Blackpool Teaching School Alliance (former name). All of the schools I was placed in were amazing, the teachers and mentors were so helpful and always providing guidance and support when it was needed. After so many years in mainstream I had reservations about the transition to SEND, however, all of these fears were put to rest by Gillian, we were well prepared for our placements with all the necessary paperwork and guidance that we would need. My first placement was at Pear Tree School in a mixed Key Stage 1 class, I loved every minute of this experience. I was so inspired by the practice I saw and couldn’t wait to get stuck into my own teaching. My developing placement was in a mainstream environment, Anchorsholme Primary Academy, I was placed in Year 5 and learnt a lot during this experience as it took place during a national lockdown. My final placement was at Hillside Specialist School and College, during my 9 weeks here I was lucky enough to be placed in 2 classes and experience the different sides to pupils with Autism. I cannot thank Gillian, Chris and all of my class teachers and mentors for the opportunities I had during my placement and the amazing practice I know apply to my everyday teaching. I finished my placement exceeding the teaching standards and now I am lucky enough to work in my dream school teaching a mixed Key Stage 2 class. I would recommend this course to anyone who asked me as I have the best job in the world and I wouldn’t have been able to do it without the Blackpool Teaching School Alliance (former name).

Alex Higson-Turner

Employed at Revoe Learning Academy

PGCE Primary with QTS 2018-19

I decided I wanted to be a teacher when I fell in love with History. I watched my teacher impart her wisdom with such passion and enthusiasm, bringing the subject to life. I thought, “I want to do that for other people”, make them fall in love with something and spark their interests and passions. When it came to deciding how I wanted to become a teacher, I knew I wanted a course that would give me a lot of time in the classroom, getting as much experience as I could before I was put in charge of one myself! This is how I found ‘Blackpool Teaching School Alliance’ (former name). I loved that School Direct was (as the name suggests) a direct focus on school’s in my area as I knew this was where I wanted to teach. Being in a school every day as opposed to a campus was a great way to immerse myself into school life, seeing all aspects of a school year (from helping with the nativity to teaching Elton John dances for the summer festival!) The style of training ensured that I was well prepared for all the weird and wonderful aspects that teaching offers as well as allowing me extra opportunities to develop my teaching style and pedagogy away from being on placement. Because the course offered a host school alongside the placements, I could develop great links and relationships with a range of local teaching professionals whose expertise helped me throughout not only my placements but the course content too. The support offered from my schools and tutors was excellent, everyone was there to help or check in which alleviated a lot of the stress of ‘learning how to teach’. I loved the intensity and immersion provided by this course. Someone told me when I first started that this year would truly prove if you are a teacher – which is absolutely true. It was the best way to learn! Speaking to friends, I felt a lot more confident starting my NQT than they did on a more traditional university based course.

Jennifer Love

Employed at Lytham Hall Park Primary School

PGCE Primary with QTS 2019/20

I always think myself lucky that I knew from a young age I wanted to become a primary school teacher. I loved education as a child and I knew I wanted to be a part of it when I was older. My first step was university; I graduated with a First honours Degree in Teaching and Learning Support. From this, I was employed as a teaching assistant for 4 years in 3 different schools. Each school gave me crucial experience to the wider, complex but very rewarding job that teaching is. I felt ready, so applied to Blackpool Teaching Alliance (former name). This course surpassed my expectations, and gave me further experience in both mainstream and SEND schools. The course was organised in such a way to help master the craft of teaching, even when the unthinkable, COVID hit our country. Luckily, before the pandemic- I was able to experience 2 placements, 2 SEND schools and spent time at my host school. Although my course year never experienced our 3rd and final placement due to the pandemic, I felt ready and applied for jobs. I was over the moon to secure a job at Lytham Hall Park, where I am still teacher, a school which is not represented by the course programme, however recognises the crucial and incredible training The Sea View Trust offers. The course offered fantastic training experiences with highly trained educators and also the fact you are surrounded by educators in placement schools all the time, ensures you are forever learning and have the ‘real life view’ of teaching. I would encourage anyone thinking of going into this profession, to choose School Direct.

Aimee Cooper

Employed at Park Community Academy

PGCE Primary with QTS (SEND Specialism) - 2018/19 Cohort

My career ambition to work with children with additional needs started when I was young, I have an uncle with Down Syndrome. From the age of 16, I started volunteering at local organisations within Blackpool. Then, at the age of 18 I went to Manchester Metropolitan university to study, Inclusive Education and Disability studies. From this course, I decided that ‘teaching’ was the route I wanted to take and I began my search to find a course that would support my passion for teaching children with additional needs. I was fortunate enough to find ‘The Blackpool Teaching Alliance.’ (former name) A course that has supported my passion and provided me with both Key stage 1 and Key stage 2 experience in schools across Blackpool, both mainstream and special. Every opportunity provided by the course has counted, gaining me a permanent position in a special needs school whereby, I had previously completed a placement. The support I have gained along the way has been astounding, not only from the course providers, but from the schools I have had experience in. It has been a fantastic way to network with other teaching professionals and take full advantage of the wider opportunities beyond school life.

Phillippa Cartwright

Employed at Hawes Side Academy

PGCE Primary with QTS - 2017/18 cohort

The School Direct route was the option, which most suited the transition that I went through, with my career change. Coming from a very fast-paced business background, I wanted to ensure that I was learning, whilst being constantly challenged. It was a very full on course, which was always providing you with opportunities, either offered or asked for. School Direct was greatly organised, to benefit your learning journey and ensure that you had the opportunities to experience as much of the job, as hands on as possible. I opted for one of my assessed placements to be within an SEND school, which for me was a fantastic experience and one, which now benefits my pastoral role within mainstream school. The entire course was a spectacular whirlwind through teaching and a very clear insight into what the job entailed. For me, the course really gave me the reassurance that I needed, that this was the career for me. This decision was supported immensely along the way by the phenomenal school leader’s advice and feedback, which if acted upon, really benefits you long term. If you want to be front row, for the greatest choice of your career, choose School Direct!

Hannah Kippax

Employed at Revoe Learning Academy

PGCE primary with QTS - 2016/17 cohort

I started my training with Blackpool MAT (previous name) in September 2016. I chose the School Direct route into teaching because it combined immersion into the working environment from the very beginning, alongside high quality pedagogical training, and I felt that this would best prepare me for a career in teaching (if you can ever be prepared!). I liked the fact that I was placed in a host school for the year and this is where I was based between placements; this allowed me to build strong relationships with both the children and the staff, and really made me feel part of the team straight away. The support I was offered in my training year was fantastic; between my mentor in my host school, my mentors in my placement schools and my tutor from the University of Cumbria, there was always someone whose expertise I could draw upon to develop my practice. Although training for a career in teaching has its challenges, my wellbeing was highly valued throughout the course. My teacher training prepared me well for my NQT year: the gradual increase in teaching load throughout the year meant that I was well-prepared for what was to come. I also attended conferences with other NQTs from Blackpool MAT, where we got the opportunity to discuss their experiences and gain meaningful, usable advice. I was over the moon to secure a permanent position at Revoe Learning Academy (my host school!), and I am enjoying working closely with School Direct trainees as they embark on their own journeys into teaching.