What Is Initial Teacher Education?

Initial Teacher Education (ITE) is the first stage of professional training for anyone who wants to become a qualified teacher. It’s where future teachers gain the knowledge, skills, and classroom experience needed to meet national standards and succeed in the profession.

ITE is more than just a stepping stone to Qualified Teacher Status (QTS) – it’s the foundation of a teaching career. Through a blend of academic study and practical school placements, it equips you to inspire pupils, manage classrooms, and create inclusive learning environments.

The purpose of Initial Teacher Education

The aim of ITE is to prepare new teachers to meet the Teachers’ Standards set by the Department for Education. This means developing:

Strong subject knowledge.
Effective lesson planning and delivery skills.
Classroom management techniques.
An understanding of pupil development and safeguarding.
Inclusive teaching approaches that meet the needs of all learners.

By the end of ITE, trainees should be confident, reflective practitioners ready to enter the classroom and continue their professional growth.

Routes into Initial Teacher Education

There are several ways to complete ITE, depending on your background and career goals:

Undergraduate degree with QTS – Ideal for those starting their higher education journey.
Postgraduate teacher training – Such as a PGCE, for graduates looking to qualify.
School-Centred Initial Teacher Training (SCITT) – Practical, school-based training with experienced mentors.
Assessment Only route – For experienced teachers who can evidence their skills without further study.

Our teacher training programmes offer structured, supportive routes through ITE, ensuring you gain both the theoretical understanding and hands-on practice you need.

Why ITE matters

High-quality Initial Teacher Education is critical for raising teaching standards and improving outcomes for pupils. It ensures that every new teacher enters the profession prepared to deliver effective, evidence-based teaching from day one.

For schools, ITE builds strong teaching teams and fosters a culture of collaboration, innovation, and continuous improvement.

How Catalyst Academies Trust supports ITE

We partner with schools across Essex to deliver rich, practical training experiences. Our trainees benefit from:

Diverse school placements.
Expert mentoring and personalised feedback.
Access to shared resources and training across our trust.
A supportive community committed to professional development.

Our approach ensures you’re not only ready to achieve QTS but also equipped to thrive as an Early Career Teacher and beyond.

Begin your Initial Teacher Education journey

If you’re ready to start your path into teaching, Initial Teacher Education is the first step. With the right training and support, you can gain the skills, confidence, and qualifications to make a lasting difference in the classroom.

Explore our teacher training in Essex programme to see how we can guide you through your ITE and into a successful teaching career.

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