Trainees 2023-2024
Want to know more about our trainees? Read on to find out what led our trainees to choose teacher training with Prestolee!
As you will see, we have a variety of trainees from diverse backgrounds. Whether you are finishing university this year, have years of experience as a teaching assistant, or finally taking the leap to your dream career, we're here to help you start your journey!
Claire
QTS Only, 3-7 Pathway
"I started my career as an Environmental Consultant working in Dubai. After 3 years I moved back to England to start a family. Once my son was born, I decided to concentrate on my role as a Mum. I loved learning how to help him develop and my daughter once she was born. When my son was in Reception and Year 1, I had to home-school him due to the Covid pandemic. I realised that I really enjoyed this and all the aspects of Early Years learning. I realised that Early Years are so important in a child’s learning journey and through personal circumstances that some children need additional support immediately. I decided that I wanted to train to teach in a Primary School as I enjoy learning about all aspects of the curriculum. I can see through my children the overlap there is between subjects and their skills. I applied to Prestolee after my daughter had started school and am excited to start this next part of my life’s journey."
Rico
QTS Only, 5-11 Pathway
“After studying business in school and college, I developed a keen interest in marketing, leading me to spend three years completing a marketing degree. During this time, despite enjoying it, I did not see myself working in an office, each day being the same as the last, and not making full use of my skills and hobbies in order to benefit my career. During this time, I began to find myself gaining an insight into primary school teaching, leading me to think more of my own experiences of primary school, the teachers I had, and how my time in primary school has later positively impacted my life. I spent time searching different pathways to suit me and found Prestolee SCITT. After applying, interviewing, and beginning the course, knowing how close I am to achieving what I know I want to do with my life, fills me with great excitement and I look forward to it all.”
Stephanie
PGCE with QTS , 3-7 Pathway
"Growing up I was forever drawn to creativity and expression, which led me to career as an actor-musician within theatre. As fabulous as it was, I started to want to put my roots down more and tour less. I realised the times that I had felt most fulfilled, was performing in interactive shows for younger audiences. Seeing them discover and experience the world around them was incredibly special. I had worked as a day-to-day cover TA in between theatre contracts and decided instead to try a long-term placement in a school nursery. Whilst seeing children there over time grow and flourish, I knew that applying to teacher training should be my next step. I am excited to go on this journey with Prestolee SCITT and was drawn to their personable approach. I want every child to feel heard and supported as we explore our journeys together."
Imogen
PGCE with QTS, 5-11 Pathway
After completing two degrees in my favourite subject – English Literature – I still wasn’t sure where my path was supposed to lead. I went straight from university into a job in a legal office in 2016, which was never a dream or interest of mine. I had thought about teaching for many years before but always feared I would never be confident enough to pursue this and my shyness would hold me back. Following some tumultuous years losing my father, who was a well-loved teacher himself, I decided I needed to take a break during the 2020 nationwide lockdowns to discover what I really wanted and left my job as a paralegal. In January 2023, I became a qualified Children’s Yoga Teacher, knowing it would help me alongside my decision to go into Primary School teaching. I’ve always wanted a career that wasn’t just a job, but a lifelong learning career, which brought me to applying for Primary Teacher Training in November 2022.
Katie
PGCE with QTS , 5-11 Pathway
"My dream has always been to be a primary school teacher, working to inspire children to reach their own dreams. I first volunteered as a teaching assistant which led me to getting my first job. I have been a teaching assistant for 12 years and have absolutely loved it, watching the children grow into their own unique characters and knowing that I had helped with their education and development throughout school. I didn’t believe I was knowledgeable and confident enough to be a teacher but the older I got and the more experience I gained I thought maybe I might be able to do it especially after covering classes so much. I have worked in both KS1 and KS2 (mainly KS2) and enjoyed seeing how the curriculum changed and adapted the further up the school. I believe that I am now at a stage to be a qualified teacher and I am excited for the journey ahead to becoming one."
James
PGCE with QTS , 5-11 Pathway
"After finishing my degree in Sport, Culture and Society at Sheffield Hallam University I gained the job role of a primary school PE and sports coach for a private company. I absolutely loved this part of my career and became extremely passionate about the importance of PE and sport in primary schools, especially the quality of it for the children. Moving forwards this prompted me on the journey of creating and developing my own primary school PE and sport specialist business which I ran for 5 years. As the business grew, I naturally fell away from teaching/working with children directly in order to run the business successfully, which in turn resulted in me enjoying it less and less. This was the moment I realised that what I actually want from my career is to help children learn, develop and grow."
Megan
PGCE with QTS, 3-7 Pathway
"After completing my A-Levels and finishing college the path I was going to take next was not completely clear. I began working in an office and I knew this was not what I wanted to do forever. After having my daughter, I then decided to start training as a teaching assistant, as the thought of working in a primary school really interested me after having an amazing primary school experience myself. I completed my teaching assistant training level 2 and 3 and continued to work in the school, for a total of 8 years, as a teaching assistant across Key Stage 1 and Key Stage 2. However, whilst working as a TA, I always knew I wanted to progress into teaching.
Throughout my time as a teaching assistant, it became apparent how much I enjoyed making a difference in children’s lives, being a constant support system for them and having a huge influence on their early years of life. After going back to work as a TA when my maternity leave ended with my son, I decided to begin my degree in Early Years and Education in 2019 and graduated with a first-class honours degree in 2022. I then decided to have a year away from studying and to complete my last year as a teaching assistant, until my youngest child started school, ready to begin my teacher training in 2023. I was drawn to Prestolee as I believed the style of their program would be perfect for me. I am enormously looking forward to the year ahead!"
Mathew
PGCE with QTS , 5-11 Pathway
"I have a wide array of work experience in many different fields over the years since I graduated from university in 2008. Namely my play work with Parktastic in 2009 where we worked at playschemes, parks and schools using play as a tool of engagement for the children. A short-lived role due to government funding however a profound job experience working with children which was never again intrinsically met by other career paths I chose following this. I have volunteered at my old youth club and helped with football coaching in my free time before I decided to go travelling for a few years. I always knew deep down I should work with children and since my son Bobby was born in 2017 this again highlighted my want to work in this profession. Therefore, after years of procrastination and world lockdowns I have taken the leap into what I know is the right career path for me by teaching and leading our future generation and to support my family with a long and prosperous career being the best teacher I can be."
Rachel
QTS Only, 3-7 Pathway
"I’ve always been indecisive about what I wanted to pursue as a career. The only thing I consistently enjoyed from being a child was sports but as I was very academic, I was always pushed to follow the typical maths & science route in school. Outside of education I still participated in sports and began coaching as well. When applying for university I was very indecisive, and it took me 2 subject changes & a gap year to pick something I could see myself sticking at for 3 years. After graduating I became stuck in the same position I was before attending university, so I decided to study for a Master’s degree to give me an extra year to decide what my path was. Throughout this year I went through a lot personally and ended up dropping out and being offered a new role as a recreational gymnastics coach. This job and the children I taught were the only things that got me through the past year, and made me realise how much I enjoy teaching – I thought, if I love it this much, why not make a career out of it? I applied days before the deadline for Prestolee SCITT, started my training the week after & I’m loving every minute of it."
Leah
PGCE with QTS , 5-11 Pathway
"Since being a child, I knew working with children was always something I wanted to do because I love to care for people and do whatever I can to help others around me. Since leaving high school I have a had a variety of jobs but no matter the number of jobs, teaching and making a difference has always been in the back of my mind. Initially, I thought I wanted to be a PE teacher. I went to college and university to study Sport. I realised soon after completing my degree that it was younger children I wanted to work with. My younger brothers and sisters had an influence on me. Also, I really liked working in a school. I worked in a primary school in year 2 class for just over a year and I knew it was something I wanted to do. Realising I wanted to be a primary school teacher wasn’t always straightforward for me. I barely had any confidence in myself, and I always told myself “I’m not good enough to be a teacher”. Looking back over the past few months before starting at Prestolee I have told myself to just go for it and not to be in fear of the unknown. Having support of great family, friends and partner etc has made me realise I can do anything I put my mind to as long as I believe in myself. That mentality has led me to where I am today."
