Skills You Should Develop Before Starting Teacher Training

Starting teacher training is an exciting step, but it can also feel overwhelming if you’re unsure what skills will be most useful. While training will help you build professional expertise, there are several personal and practical skills you can begin developing beforehand to make the journey smoother and more rewarding.

Why Skills Matter Before Training

Teacher training is fast-paced, combining academic study with school placements. Having a strong foundation of skills before you start allows you to adapt more easily to the demands of the course. It also means you can focus on improving your teaching practice rather than learning everything from scratch.

Essential Skills to Build

Communication skills – Being clear, confident, and adaptable in how you speak and write is crucial for engaging pupils and working with colleagues.
Organisation and time management – You’ll need to balance lesson planning, academic work, and placements. Strong organisational habits make this manageable.
Resilience and adaptability – Teaching is rewarding but challenging. Developing resilience will help you navigate setbacks and adapt to different classroom situations.
Teamwork – Schools thrive on collaboration. Being able to work effectively with colleagues, mentors, and pupils is essential.
Reflective practice – Teacher training requires you to evaluate your progress and act on feedback. Building the habit of reflection will support your growth.

Ways to Develop These Skills

Volunteer or work with children in schools, clubs, or community groups.
Practise planning and delivering short activities for peers, friends, or family.
Read widely on education and pedagogy to build confidence in teaching theory.
Ask for feedback in professional or voluntary roles and use it to improve.

Catalyst’s Teacher Training Pathways

At Catalyst Academies Trust, we understand that starting teacher training can feel like a big step. Our teacher training pathways are designed to support you from the outset, providing structured placements in our Thurrock and Essex schools, expert mentoring, and professional development opportunities. We help trainees strengthen their skills while building the confidence needed to succeed in the classroom and beyond.

Apply Now

Register Interest

Final Thoughts

Developing key skills before starting teacher training can make a real difference to your experience. By focusing on communication, organisation, resilience, teamwork, and reflection, you’ll be ready to embrace the challenges and rewards of the course.

If you’re ready to take the next step, Catalyst Academies Trust can guide you through every stage of your teacher training journey.