Meet our Alumni!

A recent graduate who studied Geography at MMU University before joining our Secondary PGCE course to become a qualified Geography teacher!

What made you decide on a career in teaching?
I have always wanted to become a teacher, the passion, enthusiasm and knowledge was an inspiration. I have a passion for Geography and learning how the world works and I would love to pass this on to pupils.

Overall how have you found your training year with TIE?
Training with TIE was the best decision I’ve made. Sue has been so supportive.

Did you find your placements useful for gaining practical experience?
Definitely – being in front of the classes helped with my confidence. The mix of practical and theory throughout the year allowed for the best training circumstances.

Did you feel you were given access to industry professionals?
I did – the guest speakers like Beej Gethin were extremely helpful.

What’s a top tip you would give to a future trainee?
Ask for help – the support is there but don’t wait for someone to see if you’re struggling. Enjoy your PGCE as much as you can! It’s so emotional but you will get through it. Sue is your best resource for this year!

Meet Paul, a career changer who was working in local government before joining our Secondary PGCE course to become a qualified Geography teacher.

What topic did you study at Uni?
Environmental and resource science

What made you decide on a career in teaching?
I Have worked in children’s services for 15 years and wanted to see if I could make a difference to young lives. Working in children’s services gave me the opportunity to visit lots of schools and interact with teachers, leaders and children. Some had terrible lives and I just wanted to make a difference to one.

Did you ever think you wouldn’t be able to teach?
I tried previously but I couldn’t afford to give up work. The bursary has made it possible.

Did you always want to become a teacher?
Not in my early life. I’ve wanted to teach for about 10 years.

Why did you choose TIE?
Trinity was the most organized and professional of all the providers I approached. They knew what they were talking about.

Overall how have you found your training year with TIE?
It has been fantastic. Sue has been excellent.

Did you find your placements useful for gaining practical experience?
Teaching to live classes has been invaluable.

Did you feel you were given access to industry professionals?
Yes, all TIE lectures were excellent.

Maysoon was working before she decided to join our PGCE course and become a secondary Science teacher with Biology as a specialism.

Overall, how have you found your training year with TIE?
This has been a very challenging year, but I feel that because I was with TIE I had all the support I needed to get through.

Did you find your placements useful for gaining practical experience?
I found my placement extremely useful, each and everyone gave me a different perspective on teaching. I had a huge variety of experiences.

Did you feel you were given access to industry professionals and able to develop relationships with teachers during your training year?
Defiantly, so many amazing people at the top of their game.

How have you found the structure of your training year?
Well structured with training days at the right times relevant to our place on the course.

What is one/ some of your favourite lightbulb moments with your pupils?
When I got a bottom set year 9 to answer a six mark GCSE question to a high standard by giving them the right support.

What was one of your favourite training moments?
The mental health and wellbeing session, SEND and BFL sessions.

What are you most looking forward to as an NQT?
Making my class my own. My class, my rules.

What’s a top tip you would give to someone who is about to embark on their training year?
Be organised, be organised, be organsised. Pebble pad, pebble pad, pebble pad. Have fun!

Meet Leanne who was a pastoral head of year in a secondary school before joining our Secondary PGCE course to become a qualified History teacher.

What topic did you study at Uni?
Applied Social Sciences

What made you decide on a career in teaching?
I have worked in schools for over a decade and love working with young people. I find it incredibly rewarding and enjoyable.

Why do you want to teach History?
History has shaped the work we live in today and it’s so important to learn about how this happened

Why did you choose TIE?
I wanted to spend as much time in school as possible – being trained by a school / MAT ensures we are being trained by those at the forefront of teaching practice.

Did you always want to become a teacher?
Not always but I have been dedicated to working in education for a long time! Once I started working within a pastoral team, I knew this was for me.

Overall how have you found your training year with TIE?
The support, development and training I have had with TIE has been incredible! The teachers/ leaders are passionate about pedagogy and continual development, it has been such an exciting place to be.

Did you find your placements useful for gaining practical experience?
Yes, I have learnt so much and cannot believe the progress I have made.

Did you feel you were given access to industry professionals?
Yes – They have been an incredible support and I have learnt so much from them. The sessions on questioning and behaviour with Beej Gethin were fantastic.

What are you most looking forward to as an NQT?
Having classes that are mine and I can keep them all year and capitalise on the relationships I have built.