WANT to be a primary teacher and train on the Isle of Wight?

If you have a degree and would like to find out more, why not go along to a 'Train to Teach' event organised by the Portsmouth Teaching School Alliance at Hunnyhill Primary School, Newport, tomorrow (Tuesday), from 5pm until 6pm.

National headlines report a crisis in teacher recruitment which impacts on children’s education.

However, Isle of Wight schools are working with teaching schools to ensure they ‘grow their own’ trainees.

Last year, 100 per cent of the Portsmouth TSA’s Isle of Wight trainees passed the course and all have jobs on the Island in the first-choice school.

Lynn Nicholls, Portsmouth TSA director of ITT School Direct said: "We are extremely proud our Island School Direct trainee teachers gained teaching posts.

"This outstanding result is testimony to our Isle of Wight partner schools and tutors who supported them in their training year."

The teaching school has a strong track record of success which has led to year on year growth.

This September they have recruited primary and secondary trainee teachers on the Island. The trainees are either career changers or graduate teaching assistants (TAs).

In the summer, some of the trainees were observed as part of Ofsted’s initial teacher training inspection. Inspectors said the School Direct were particularly strong which was reflected in their high grades.

Maria Dawes, deputy regional schools commissioner who attended their end of year celebration in July, said: “It was a real privilege to celebrate with the trainees at the end of their training year.

"Their hard work, tenacity and enthusiasm for teaching was clear. It was great they all had jobs and most were committed to staying in the area as well.”

Max Draper was a graduate teaching assistant before deciding to train on the School Direct programme.

He said: “I’ve had a fantastic training year, learnt lots and while at times it’s been challenging seeing how I made a difference in the classroom has been well worth it.

"The mentorship and support was fantastic.”

Other Train to Teach events are being held at Hunnyhill Primary School on October 17 and November 21, from 5pm to 6pm.

For further information, contact info@portsmouthtsa.org or visit www.portsmouthtsa.org, e-mail info@portsmouthtsa.org or call 02392 893702.