Teaching is more than a profession; it's a passion for nurturing the next generation. Hosting trainee teachers, particularly through a partnership with Teach West London, brings immense benefits to placement schools, mentors and trainees alike. From enhancing classroom support to shaping the educators of tomorrow, read how working collaboratively creates a ripple effect of positive outcomes.
Building future educators
One of the most rewarding aspects of hosting trainee teachers is the ability to help shape their development as professionals. Schools have the unique opportunity to cultivate new talent, equipping them with the skills to succeed while addressing recruitment challenges. As one ITT Lead at Harlington Secondary School confirmed, "The ability to help shape a new colleague also helps with recruitment challenges. Great potential new staff come with many good ideas and are willing to take on feedback." Through this process, schools not only mentor future educators but also identify strong candidates who can join their teaching staff in the future.
High-quality training and seamless organisation
Teach West London’s well-structured approach ensures clear expectations for all stakeholders. Another ITT Lead at Swakeleys Secondary School for Girls commented, “[Teach West London are] very organised, quick to act on feedback regarding workload [and the] weekly briefings are invaluable." This regular communication ensures trainees and mentors receive top-tier support, helping them make excellent progress in their training. Another ITT Lead at Canons High School praised Teach West London as "the most competent provider I work with," citing responsiveness to feedback and ability to empower both trainees and mentors with the tools they need for success.
A win-win for mentors and schools
Beyond supporting trainees, working with Teach West London enhances the capacity of current staff. Mentors gain opportunities to develop their leadership and coaching skills while accessing the latest training materials to keep their practice current. Lead Partner School Cranford Community College noted, "We're able to build the skill set of our staff who are new to mentoring as a result of the mentor training and webinars. It’s also an opportunity for us to develop our departments and seek recruitment opportunities too."
Hosting trainees isn’t just about their growth, it’s about fostering a culture of professional learning across the school. The ITT Lead at Roxbourne Primary School reflected, ‘[It’s] great to be able to work with aspiring new teachers who are excited about the profession and keen to learn. [It’s] good for our existing staff to be able to access the latest training materials and keep themselves up to date.”
Moreover, schools benefit from the additional classroom support trainees provide. Whether assisting teachers or leading lessons, they enable class teachers to target individual students or small groups, enhancing learning outcomes.
Shaping the future of recruitment
Hosting trainees is more than an educational opportunity; it's a strategic move for long-term planning. Many schools use their partnership with Teach West London as part of their recruitment process. One Headteacher explained, "We’ve identified some really strong trainees who will join the teaching staff next year, already helping with recruitment for September 2025." Additionally, hosting trainees ensures that new members of staff are trained in the unique practices and expectations of their host schools, making transitions seamless. Pinkwell Primary School, as just one example said, “it has been hugely beneficial for us to host trainees from Teach West London. They have added to our capacity as a school and are keen to learn and develop their expertise. It has helped us plan for staffing next year by having the teachers trained in the way that we teach at this school.”
Our partnerships with schools are built on clarity, communication and a shared vision for excellence in teacher training. As schools reflect on, review, and refine their approaches, the results are transformative. Bentley Wood High School recognised the positives for all stakeholders saying, “the Teach West London partnership has ensured the trainee has had a high-quality training experience, which ultimately benefits school, students and trainee.” Such collaboration ensures that both schools and trainees continue to grow together.
Hosting trainee teachers through Teach West London is more than a training exercise, it's an investment in the future of education. By shaping aspiring teachers, providing classroom support and enhancing recruitment opportunities, schools build a stronger, more resilient teaching community.
Are you a School situated in the London Boroughs of Ealing, Harrow, Hillingdon and Hounslow? Are you interested in partnering with Teach West London to become an ITT placement school? Find further information on our dedicated schools webpage, complete our form to show your interest in offering placement opportunities or get in touch to receive more information.