About Prestolee SCITT
At Prestolee SCITT, we believe the best way to learn to teach is to be in the classroom, making a difference from the very start. Based in Radcliffe and Ashton-under-Lyne, we work with schools across Greater Manchester to provide high-quality, school-centred initial teacher training.
Our Core Aims
1
Deliver quality first teacher training
2
Identify and develop the leaders of tomorrow
3
Train the best teachers for learners in our community
Our Approach to
Intitial Teacher Training
At Prestolee SCITT, we believe the best way to learn to teach is by being in the classroom. Our programmes are school-centred, meaning you are immersed in real school life while learning the theory and practice side by side. With training hubs in Radcliffe and Ashton-under-Lyne, and a wide network of partner schools across Greater Manchester, you will experience diverse placements that reflect the communities we serve.
We offer a range of routes into teaching, including Primary PGCE with QTS, QTS-only, Early Years and Assessment Only pathways. Whatever your starting point, you will be supported every step of the way by experienced mentors and a strong partnership of local schools.
What Makes Our Training Different
Our approach is rooted in the values of inclusion, collaboration and high expectations. As a trainee, you will be part of a professional community that is passionate about education and committed to ensuring every child achieves their full potential.
Training with Prestolee SCITT means more than gaining a qualification. It is about developing the skills, confidence and experience to thrive as a teacher, while being nurtured in a supportive environment that recognises your strengths and helps you grow. Whether you are a recent graduate, changing career or already working in education, Prestolee SCITT provides the training, guidance and opportunities you need to become an outstanding teacher and inspire the next generation.
Our Journey
Innovating in Education for 100 Years
Prestolee’s story began as a single primary school with a strong reputation for excellence, inclusion and innovation. Over time, this success grew into a family of schools within Prestolee Multi-Academy Trust, sharing the belief that every child deserves a first-class education.
From these roots, Prestolee SCITT was established to train and inspire the next generation of teachers. Today, we work with schools across Greater Manchester, with hubs in Radcliffe and Ashton-under-Lyne, offering high-quality training routes into teaching. Our journey reflects our commitment to children, to communities and to ensuring that passionate, well-prepared teachers are at the heart of every classroom.
Facilitating Excellence
At Prestolee, excellence in education is at the heart of everything we do. Over many years we have championed innovation, connecting with the community and striving to improve outcomes for all pupils. Our commitment to educational excellence led to the creation of Prestolee SCITT.
Prestolee first trained teachers as a School Direct Lead School, working in partnership with universities. In 2015 we were awarded government accreditation and began delivering our own teacher training curriculum as a School Centred Initial Teacher Training provider. This accreditation means we design and adapt our programmes to stay current and relevant, drawing on the expertise of our multi-academy trust to deliver the very best for our trainees.
When you train with us, you become part of a culture where schools are central to your learning. Our centre based training aligns seamlessly with your placements, allowing you to embed your learning through hands on classroom experience. From the start you will be immersed in a setting where inclusion, high expectations and collaboration are standard, supported by expert mentors dedicated to developing the next generation of teachers.
But what is a SCITT?
A SCITT is a School Centred Initial Teacher Training provider. That means you are trained in schools, not just in lecture halls, so you learn to teach by being part of everyday classroom life.
At Prestolee SCITT, you are based in a school from the very start of your training, supported by expert mentors who guide you every step of the way. Alongside this, you take part in professional training sessions that give you the knowledge, skills and confidence to become an excellent teacher.
Choosing a SCITT means you are part of a close and supportive community where theory and practice go hand in hand. You will graduate with Qualified Teacher Status and, if you choose, a Postgraduate Certificate in Education too.
For many applicants, a SCITT offers the best of both worlds: the academic rigour of university study combined with the practical, hands-on experience of working in schools from the beginning.