I first heard about the teaching apprenticeship programme while working as a teaching assistant in a local sixth form. With support from the local SCITT provider, I applied for the apprenticeship and got a job at Everest Community Academy.
I was offered the position in November 2022 and started my training through the Basingstoke Alliance SCITT in September 2023. To ensure I was well-prepared, I took the initiative to study for a PGCE without QTS (Qualified Teacher Status) through the University of Cumbria, which I passed in July 2023.
My training began in September 2023, and it has been a fantastic experience so far. The training came through the SCITT, and before starting at Everest, I was placed in another local school with an excellent mentor who taught me how to become a music teacher. This placement in another school allowed me to try things out, make mistakes and learn on the job – which, for me, was the best way to learn how to become a teacher. Once a week, I would attend lectures where we discussed the latest topics about teaching, such as cognitive science, adaptive teaching and behaviour management. I also participated in visiting other schools for CPD sessions as well as specialist schools to build up knowledge on how to support SEND students. All this preparation and practice enabled me to develop at the placement schools, so when the time came to start full-time at Everest, I felt prepared and ready.
For anyone considering a career in teaching, the apprenticeship route is an excellent way to go about it. As a music trainee, I did not receive any bursaries, so the apprenticeship route was a great way for me to earn a wage while completing my training (however, I do believe that as of September 2024, music trainees will start to receive a bursary for teaching).
Now that I've started at Everest, I am incredibly lucky to have an exciting prospect on my hands. The school is in the process of rebuilding the music department which has allowed me to bring external music tuition back to the school with great numbers, start to build and develop the new curriculum, and in general create a buzz about music again, as it had been under-represented for several years. The students so far have been really keen, which for me is a great motivator as I take an instrumental part in creating an inspiring department for our school.