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Teacher Training
Launch Your Expert Teaching Career
Train with confidence, backed by the best research in education.
At Roding Valley High School, we don't just host trainees - we cultivate future leaders and expert practitioners. Our Initial Teacher Training (ITT) programme is rooted in the science of great teaching, built on high-quality instructional coaching and deliberate practice to ensure your success. Join a supportive, high-achieving community where you are a valued member of our team from your very first day.
Personalised Growth: Our Instructional Coaching Model
Our instructional coaching model gives trainee teachers regular, personalised guidance from an experienced mentor. Through an ongoing cycle of goal setting, lesson observations, feedback, and reflection, trainees develop their teaching in a structured, supportive way. Coaching helps trainees to focus on specific areas of practice, build effective teaching habits, and develop a growing repertoire of classroom strategies. This collaborative process is designed to foster both expertise and confidence, supporting steady and sustained professional growth.
Bridging Theory to the Classroom: Focused Deliberate Practice
Deliberate practice is another key part of how we support teacher development. Trainees take part in focused practice sessions—often outside of live lessons—where they rehearse important teaching techniques such as explaining new content, using questioning effectively, or managing classroom routines. With expert feedback from mentors, these sessions target key decision-making moments that teachers face in the classroom. This helps bridge the gap between theory and practice, so that when trainees are teaching, they can apply these skills with confidence. Research shows that deliberate practice helps accelerate skill development and embed long-term improvements in teaching.
Our mentors and school leaders are deeply committed to helping trainee teachers thrive. We know that strong early support makes a real difference—and our trainees consistently tell us they feel both challenged and well supported throughout their time with us.
We are proud of the professional culture we have created at Roding Valley High School: one where new teachers grow, develop and succeed. Many of our trainees go on to stay with us after their training year, joining our team as Early Career Teachers and continuing their careers here.
Case studies
“I feel incredibly fortunate to have joined such a supportive and forward-thinking environment like Roding. Throughout my first year, the school has empowered me to explore new approaches in the classroom and has trusted me with the responsibility of SMSC Coordinator - a role that has been both challenging and rewarding. This experience has not only deepened my passion for teaching Religion, Philosophy and Ethics but also laid a strong foundation for my continued professional growth.”
~ Libby Bristow, now our SMSC Coordinator
Our ITT Partners:
We work with a range of high-quality Initial Teacher Training providers and are proud to host trainees through several different routes. These include:
Teach First
We are a partner school for Teach First, a national programme where trainees begin working in schools from the start of the year. Trainees gain practical experience while working towards Qualified Teacher Status (QTS) and a Postgraduate Diploma in Education (PGDE).
National Institute of Teaching (NIoT)
We partner with the National Institute of Teaching, supporting both school-based and salaried trainees. The programme combines academic learning with classroom practice and is grounded in the latest research on effective teaching.
Essex School Direct
Through our partnership with Essex School Centred Initial Teacher Training (SCITT), we welcome trainees following this established, school-centred route into teaching. Trainees gain extensive classroom experience alongside academic support to achieve QTS.
Ready to Start Your Teaching Journey?
If you would like to find out more about training to teach at Roding Valley High School, discuss the different training options available, or arrange an informal visit, please contact:
Paula Delaney (ITT Coordinator) Email: pdelaney@rodingvalley.net
You can also read more about getting into teaching on the Department for Education’s ‘Get Into Teaching website’.