A Merry Christmas from Astra SCITT

 

 

A Merry Christmas from everyone in the Astra team!

As the Autumn Term draws to a close, we'd especially like to thank all of our partner schools for their hard work with this year's cohort of trainees. Whether a mentor, an ITTCo or a classroom teacher, we know our trainees thrive on the chance to work with expert colleagues in different schools across Buckinghamshire and beyond, and your input into our trainees' success is immeasurable.

We also extend to all of our trainees a hearty well done - we hope that like all who work in schools you enjoy a richly deserved break before you embark on your second school placements in January.

2024 has been a year in which Astra has steadily grown as a teacher training provider. Numbers on the course have continued to rise and we have been able to recruit high achieving graduates to work in local primary, special and secondary schools. 97.5% of last year's trainees found employment, with over 90% gaining employment in Buckinghamshire or a neighbouring local authority.

A record 37 gained their QTS through the Assessment Only route which provides a straightforward path to professional qualification for graduates already working in an unqualified capacity or with overseas qualifications.

Our main PGCE/ QTS course itself has also been updated and improved, with a highly successful partnership with Bath Spa University, and enhanced support by Astra for trainees in their placement schools. As a locally-based teacher training provider, Astra is able to provide an exceptional level of in person training, with a full suite of full and part time courses, including, from September 2024, the apprenticeship route.

Already in 2025 we're looking forward to a number of important developments. Astra will be moving to new offices across the road from Dr Challoner's, which will be more accessible to visitors, and we'll also be continuing to develop the Intensive Training and Practice (ITaPs) element of our course, with new research-informed units in oracy and feedback.

Over the festive season our offices and Dr Challoner's Grammar School will be closed from 21 December to 5 January inclusive but we're very much open for any prospective trainees - we appreciate that the holiday period can be a good time to get cracking with your application.

Do contact us via the online form or email hello@astra-alliance.com and we'll do our best to help. (We don't promise a reply on Christmas Day itself!)

Merry Christmas!