Our Aims
Sherborne Area Schools Trust is proud to offer a range of training opportunities and support for the benefit of all in our schools across North Dorset and South Somerset which begins with first class initial teacher training.
At the heart of the Sherborne Area Schools Trust is the desire to work collaboratively and in partnership with others, ensuring that we are outward facing for the benefit of all our children and staff.
The schools welcome large numbers of PGCE students every year. Our schools are great places to train, learn and start your career.
As a result, we aim to provide the very best in School-led initial teacher training through the fee paying School Direct pathway.
- To continue our work with outstanding HEI / ITE providers to support our trainees: for secondary School Direct, we are partnered with The Mid Somerset Consortium (MSCITT); for primary School Direct we work with Bath Spa.
- To provide outstanding placements within our partner schools, enabling our trainees to have diverse teaching experiences as they train.
- To support our Trust with the recruitment and retention of high quality trainees and ECTs.
- To develop teachers for the future who are flexible, reflective, adaptable and resilient.
There is a highly successful secondary School Direct provision across North Dorset which The Gryphon School has led in partnership with the Mid Somerset SCITT. The SCITT is rated outstanding by OFSTED.
Our primary School Direct provision is delivered in partnership with Bath Spa University which is rated outstanding by OFSTED.
Although the National Teaching School model has been replaced by fewer, larger Teaching School Hubs across the country in order to streamline and centralise DfE services, SAST’s commitment to providing high quality school-led initial teacher training and professional development opportunities for teachers and support staff at all stages of their career remains a top priority. Our Trust is proud to continue this aim, working collaboratively with the South Central Teaching School Hub. South Central Teaching School Hub | Poole | Dorset
School Direct
This route into teaching is all about trainees being able to train on the job. It means that your experience will be school centred, with one day a week completing your training at the appropriate ITE provider.
Please find more information about the School Direct Tuition Fee route through the link below or contact us to find out more. https://getintoteaching.education.gov.uk/explore-my-options/teacher-training-routes/school-led-training/school-direct
School Experience Programme
In line with DfE guidelines, School Experience may not be possible during the Covid-19 pandemic.
Getting some classroom experience can help you to decide whether teaching is right for you – it will also strengthen your application and is something that all ITT providers will expect you to have. If you are struggling to make the decision between teaching at primary or secondary level, it will also be useful to help inform your ultimate choice.
Whilst the DfE School Experience Programme no longer operates, we at Sherborne Area Schools Trust believe this opportunity is invaluable. We are happy to support you in accessing experience at primary or secondary schools in our Trust and will organise this without cost when you make an application through us. You will get a flavour of school life and take away lots of experience that will be useful when writing your personal statement for your teacher training application.
During your placement you’ll have the opportunity to:
· Talk to teachers about day-to-day school life
· Observe teaching and pastoral work
· Watch a range of lessons and age groups being taught
· Interact with children in a variety of age ranges
· Observe the wider school curriculum
For more information about booking some school experience through us, please get in touch via Isabelle.rawlings@SAST.org.uk
How to Apply for Teacher Training:
How to apply & entry requirements
We are now taking applications to train to teach with us in either the primary or secondary phase!
We have longstanding and successful partnerships with our School Direct training providers – The Mid Somerset Consortium for secondary training and with Bath Spa University for Primary.
Apply via https://www.gov.uk/apply-for-teacher-training and see the subjects SAST can offer for this fee-paying programme or contact isabelle.rawlings@sast.org.uk to find out more.
We are committed and excited to recruit committed, first rate applicants looking to pursue a career in teaching.
The selection process:
You will need to make your application for Teacher Training through APPLY. Please use the link below to find out more about this process. Find postgraduate teacher training courses – GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)
From your application, potential trainees will be selected for interview and will be informed via email and via APPLY of their interview date.
The interview process will consist of the following:
· interview lasting up to 1 hour with representatives from the training provider (Mid Somerset Consortium for Secondary and Bath Spa University for Primary) and SAST (Sherborne Area Schools Trust)
· A literacy and numeracy task
· A short Teaching Episode
Trainees are also required to complete a Disclosure and Barring Service form, once the position has been offered.
The selection criteria:
· You must have a first or second-class UK University degree, or equivalent overseas degree.
· You must have at least a grade 4 (C) or equivalent in GCSE English and Mathematics for secondary teaching and for primary you will also need a 4 (C) grade or equivalent in GCSE Science.
· You must complete a numeracy and literacy task in order to assess your level of competency.
· You will be able to demonstrate a strong desire to work with young people and dedication to improving their futures.
· You will have a commitment to the highest quality of education for all.
· 50% of your degree must be in the subject in which you wish to train to teach.
Funding, Finance & Bursaries
The government and some professional bodies are currently offering funding to help people train to teach. This is only applicable to those taking up the Tuition Fee route. Find out more about the generous bursaries and scholarships that may be available to support you as you train to teach. https://getintoteaching.education.gov.uk/funding-and-salary/overview
Use the link below to find out more about how Student Finance England can help with Tuition Fees and any other loans to which you may be entitled. https://www.gov.uk/student-finance
Training provider fees now stand at £9250. We only offer the School Direct tuition fee route. All fees are paid to your ITE provider (MSCITT for Secondary candidates and Bath Spa for Primary candidates). Please use the links below to find out more about our ITE providers and their fees. https://www.bathspa.ac.uk/education/ http://www.mscitt.co.uk
Contact Us
Sherborne Area Schools Trust ITT
Isabelle Rawlings, ITT & CPD Manager
St Aldhelm’s House Bristol Road Sherborne Dorset DT9 4EQ
07741 578699