With thanks to Mrs Anju Mistry, Assistant Headteacher at Meadow School for sharing her experience.

Growing our own: a tradition that evolved 

At Meadow School, we’ve always believed in nurturing talent from within. For several years, we successfully ran an internal Initial Teacher Training (ITT) programme that allowed applicants to join our teaching team and train “on the job.” It worked well for our setting, giving trainee teachers invaluable real-world experience in a Special School environment. However, the rapid growth of the school, along with changes in teacher training regulations, made it increasingly difficult to maintain compliance and provide the necessary guidance and support for our teachers. 

Exploring a new pathway 

As we looked for alternative routes into teaching that aligned with our values and capacity, we connected with Teach West London. Through several helpful conversations, it became clear that this was a partnership worth pursuing. We were immediately excited about the opportunity to become a partner school. The structure of both the fee-funded and salaried routes aligned well with our needs, and we found the process of joining Teach West London to be straightforward. 

Why we chose the fee-funded route 

After careful consideration, we chose to begin with the fee-funded ITT route. Since we didn’t have immediate gaps in our staffing structure, this option allowed us to focus on developing future teachers without adding strain to our current team. This allowed us to take on a trainee, pair them with an experienced teacher, and offer a gradual development process throughout the year. The fee-funded route is particularly beneficial for candidates with limited whole-class teaching experience, providing them with the opportunity to develop their skills through structured support and mentoring. 

Looking ahead: bursaries and salaried routes 

We are also exploring the possibility of offering bursaries to help trainees manage the financial aspects of the fee-funded route. Additionally, we are considering employing trainees through the salaried route, provided we have the capacity within our teaching team for the upcoming academic year. 

A partnership that benefits everyone 

We are grateful to Teach West London for their ongoing guidance and support and look forward to continuing this partnership. We are excited to expand our trainee teacher opportunities at Meadow and contribute to the development of future educators. 

Encouragement to other special schools 

If you’re a Special School exploring how to get involved in teacher training, we highly recommend considering the fee-funded ITT route. It offers a flexible, supportive structure that benefits your school and the wider profession. 

We’ve found this journey both rewarding and sustainable - and we’re just getting started. 

Find out more about working collaboratively here.