Teach West London is excited to announce a new partnership with Step Into Teaching, a leading organisation dedicated to helping schools recruit, train and retain teachers. 

Building the future of teaching together 

Step Into Teaching provides a pre-Initial Teacher Training (pre-ITT) pathway designed to bridge the gap between university and qualified teacher status (QTS). The programme offers graduates the opportunity to gain hands-on, paid experience in schools while developing the skills and confidence they need to thrive in the classroom. 

Together with Teach West London - the Teaching School Hub for Ealing, Harrow, Hillingdon, and Hounslow - this partnership aims to strengthen the teaching pipeline across West London, ensuring schools have access to a motivated and well-prepared workforce for years to come. 

“Every step of the process has been outstanding… We’ve been so impressed by the calibre of candidates that Step Into Teaching offer.” 
- Deputy SENCO, Brentside High School (Ealing) 

Why Step Into Teaching? 

Every year, thousands of graduates leave university unsure of their next steps, and fewer than 1% go straight into teacher training. Step Into Teaching is changing that by offering graduates paid, long-term placements in schools, helping them gain valuable experience before committing to formal training. 

Schools benefit too - gaining access to a vetted pool of passionate, motivated graduates ready to support students and staff from day one. Many of these graduates go on to train with SCITT programmes and multi-academy trusts (MATs), creating a long-term recruitment pipeline without additional fees.  Significantly, Schools save over £10,000 per support staff member through reduced recruitment and retention costs. 

“Collaborating with Step Into Teaching has been seamless from the start. Their process ensures recruits are well-informed, confident, and integrate seamlessly into our school.” 
- Assistant Headteacher, Acton Gardens Primary School (Ealing) 

A partnership with purpose 

Through this collaboration, Teach West London and Step Into Teaching are creating meaningful pathways into the profession, supporting schools to identify and nurture future teachers who are committed, capable and inspired to make a difference.  

Whether you’re a school looking to grow your workforce or a graduate eager to start your teaching journey and gain experience ahead of starting training in September 2026, this partnership is your pathway forward. 

“The impact the graduates have had on our team has been so positive. Their youth and enthusiasm have energised all of us.” 
- SENCO, Park High School (Harrow) 

 

Graduates who begin their career through Step into Teaching will gain valuable experience that they can take through to their Teach West London Selection Day. 

Teach West London’s school-based, fully immersive teacher training programme equips trainees with the confidence and practical expertise needed to thrive in the classroom. With more than 80 placement schools across West London, trainees can choose a setting that reflects their interests and make a meaningful difference in the communities they care about. Alongside their school placement, trainees receive one day a week of high-quality training at either Ada Lovelace CofE High School or Ealing Fields High School, both part of the top-performing Twyford CofE Academies Trust. 

Through expert mentoring, pastoral (wellbeing) support and a strong professional community within the Teach West London Teaching School Hub, trainees are supported not only through their training year, but throughout their entire career journey - from early career teacher to future school leader. 

Learn more about Step Into Teaching and how to get involved here. In the meantime, view our courses and see here for guidance on how to apply.