Why Choose Prestolee SCITT?

A Distinctive School Immersed Route into Teaching. 

At Prestolee SCITT, we believe that the strongest teachers are developed in real classrooms, supported by expert practitioners and immersed in the day-to-day reality of school life from day one. As an “Outstanding” primary-focused SCITT, we offer a training experience that is practical, personalised and firmly rooted in the communities we serve. 

While many teacher-training routes rely heavily on university-style lectures or centre-based theory days, Prestolee provides a model built around meaningful school immersion. Trainees join their placement schools at the very start of the academic year, becoming part of the team and learning directly from experienced teachers. This early and continuous exposure helps trainees develop confidence, professional habits, and strong relationships with pupils far more quickly than traditional models allow. 

Our hub structure, based across Greater Manchester, ensures that training remains accessible and community-driven. Sessions are led by educational experts who bring current and relevant expertise, not abstract theory. Every aspect of the curriculum is designed to link directly to what trainees' experience in the classroom, creating a seamless bridge between training and practice. 

One of Prestolee’s defining features is our commitment to personalised mentoring. Each trainee is supported by a trained mentor who provides weekly guidance, tailored targets and regular developmental feedback. Rather than a one-size-fits-all curriculum, trainees receive the unique support they need at each stage. Our recent Ofsted report praised this targeted and responsive approach, highlighting the exceptional levels of support offered to every trainee. 

We also understand that you are working towards your future and need to go on the route that suits you. That’s why Prestolee offers a flexible suite of qualification pathways, including QTS-only, QTS with PGCE, Early Years routes and Assessment-Only options. Trainees can choose the level of academic study that best fits with their lifestyle without compromising on the quality of school experience. 

Prestolee’s partnerships with a wide range of schools ensure our trainees experience a  variety of settings. This diversity helps new teachers gain the adaptability and professional understanding needed for long-term success in the classroom. 

With its outstanding reputation, strong placement network, hands-on curriculum and exceptional pastoral support, Prestolee SCITT offers a compelling, practice-first approach for anyone looking to enter the profession confidently, skilfully and fully prepared for the realities of teaching. 

Comparison Chart:

Training Feature	Prestolee SCITT	Other Providers
Training Model	School-immersed from day one; trainees join placement schools at the start of term and learn through real practice.	Often rely on weekly university-style lectures or more centre-based theory days before significant school involvement
Placement Structure	Two contrasting placements within a large, supportive partner network across Greater Manchester.	Placement variety can depend on provider size; some offer fewer school types or longer commutes.
Mentoring	Weekly one-to-one mentoring, regular observations and tailored targets designed around individual progress.	Mentoring quality varies; some offer less frequent contact or standardised support templates.
Curriculum Approach  Pastoral Support	Practice-led curriculum delivered by serving teachers; training closely linked to real classroom experience.	May include more academic or lecture-based sessions with less immediate classroom application.
Qualification Options	QTS-only, QTS + PGCE, Early Years and Assessment-Only routes available.	Pathways differ; some offer only PGCE, only QTS, or fewer flexible options.
Accessibility & Travel	Hub-based model reducing travel, offering local training environments.	Centralised training often requires weekly travel to one fixed location.
Ofsted Outcome	Ofsted “Outstanding” for overall quality of education and trainee support.	Ratings vary and may not be published for all providers.
Classroom Confidence and career readiness	Trainees typically develop faster due to early immersion, hands-on practice and immediate mentoring.	Classroom confidence may develop later due to more theoretical early training.